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StephenJohn

StephenJohn

Member Since 09 Jan 2021
Offline Last Active Mar 15 2024 08:46 PM
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Has anyone had good experiences with Nikon factory service?

04 March 2022 - 05:44 PM

I've had 2 experiences with Nikon service and both went poorly and I'm hoping that these are exceptions, (otherwise my confidence in and loyalty to Nikon has been misplaced).

My first experience, D3500, lens issue right out of the box, zoom ring didn't lock.  It kept failing within days of the first 2 repairs.  For the 3rd repair, they suggested I send the lens and camera so that they could troubleshoot them "together", but they mistakenly "cleaned" the camera and returned it with the still broken lens (carelessness by the tech who didn't read the repair order or other internal notes).  Eventually, they agreed that the lens was bad and replaced it.

Most recent experience: I sent my D500 in for cleaning (evidence of dust on the imager).  I decided to also send my 80-400 lens along as well for no reason other than wanting my best body and lens cleaned at the same time.  I had no problem with the lens at all, having spectacular results just days easrlier at the Daytona 500 race.  While the "order" was placed for cleaning, their estimate was for a $700 repair, noting "the zoom ring is tight" and nothing about the repair request.  When I requested clarification, they said "the lens won't work without the repair". After pointing out the absurdity of authorizing an expensive repair for a working lens, they replied that the lens sticks a little but is "OK to use".   How do you go from "zoom ring tight" to "won;t work" to "OK to use" in 2 days?   

I never thought Nikon would abuse customers and wondering if these techs aren't outside contractors who are abusing Nikon (and it's customers).   These experiences have destroyed all of my confidence in Nikon.  I'm hoping to hear of some positive experiences from others.


D500: What am I missing?

08 May 2021 - 08:04 PM

I received a lot of helpful information through 2 posts here while I was trying to decide what camera to migrate to (from the D5300).  Eventually, I decided on a 2-camera approach (CD and FX), purchased a  used D750 and went with the D500 for the DX (as opposed to a D7500).  The "pro's" were that the D500 was a better camera and the D7500 might be easier to operate in a 2-camera environment (similar to controlling the D750).  MY WORRY about the D500 was losing the safety net of the scene modes found in lesser models and now having to "struggle" to find settings to use in each application.   Folks here were very encouraging and after 2 weeks of testing/success shooting the D750 in Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority, I gained the confidence to go with the D500.

 

FAST FORWARD 1 MONTH:   I'm out every day shooting beach birds (plus an air show) with the D500 and D750, using the 80-400MM lens.    I'm getting EXCELLENT to SPECTAULAR results regularly.   But in all honesty, the images from the D500 are no better than the ones from the D750.

 

SO, WHAT AM I MISSING?   Would I have been better off with the D7500 (given that it is sometimes confusing when switching between the 500/750)?   I bought the D500 new with the 16-80MM F/2.8-4 lens for $2100.  Someone is offering me $1500 for the D500 (body only).  Am I better off taking that deal, buying a D7500 for $1000, and ending up with the D7500 and the nice 16-80mm lens for a total of $1600?  Or keeping the D500 & lens for a cost of $2100?

IS THE D500 (and lens) WORTH $500 more than the D7500 (same lens)?