Any reputable Nikonos service techs left?

[Phil_F_NM]

Southern Nikonos closed, so where do we go to get these cameras serviced? I have a III and a V that I'd like to get worked on. The III definitely needs work, as it will not allow film to be rewound. The V is just getting up there in age and has not been worked on in the last 15 years.
Thanks all!

Phil Forrest

 

[Freakscene]

Narcosis101 on eBay serviced and pressure tested mine (I have 3) and my RS. No complaints. Not sure if they still do this.

 

[shawn]

Narcosis101 still offers the pressure testing service on ebay and it sounds like they do repairs too. I just bought some O-rings from them.

The other place I found was: Nikonos V Pressure Testing Service and Annual Maintenance

 

[dave lackey]

Phil, give KEH a call…🙂

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Unfortunately Narcosis only does repair on Nikonos V. I’ll try KEH but I think I’d rather go with one of the repair houses in NYC. I should probably just learn how to do it myself as a matter of fact.
Thanks all!
Phil

 

[Freakscene]

Nippon Photoclinic can fix pretty much anything, but I don't know if they have pressure testing gear for underwater cameras.

There is bound to be somewhere in Japan, but I can't find where.

 

[pgk]

I use www.aquaphot.com (and have done so for many years) but unfortunately they no longer deal with repairs from outside the UK. Kevin can probably still repair Nikonos cameras if he has or can get spares for them. The problem seems to be import/export costs and paperwork but if you are deperate you could ask him.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Thanks for the extra leads. I don’t need it pressure tested for diving, I iust want to ensure it works for foul weather and kayaking photography.
Phil

 

[pgk]

Your problem is that the cameras are sealed using 'O' rings and only a pressure test will tell you whether they are seated and working properly. That said, provided that you wash the cameras thoroughly to remove any salt, and thus stop the potential build up of salt crystals which will damage the 'O' rings, these cameras will probably remain splash proof for many years. When the 'O' rings finally harden and/or lose lubricant, you should be able to tell because the controls will become stiff and they won't operate smoothly. Then a service will be needed. One thing that you can do is to remove the plastic cap from on top of the Nik 5 wind lever as it traps water below it and will lead to corrosion of the winding rod below it with the potential for this to damage the 'O' ring and let water in. It might make the camera look nice but isn't really such a good idea.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

My problem is that the Nikonos III won’t rewind, not saltwater which the cameras are not, and have not been exposed to. Like I said, I want to use them for foul weather and when I’m out on the kayak.
I’m going to try to see if I can get a hold of a replacement part for the rewind mechanism to fix the III myself.
The V is in perfect shape and has never been immersed, only been in the rain twice, and has a new full set of seals. Arf, arf, arf.

Phil Forrest

 

[robertofollia]

Hi,
Thank you for all your links, I did not know many of them. All added to bookmarks
I've looked at aquaphot, and they still in fact can take jobs from outside UK. In theory they have stopped, because due to post-brexit issues the entering of the camera in UK for servicing means tax and customs clearance, and the same again when the camera leaves UK and enters into another country.

Customers outside UK Before Posting Kit, Be Aware! – aquaphot

aquaphot.com

In theory something should be done by many countries' customs authorities because we in fact are not buying or selling cameras abroad, are temporarily shipping cameras to be fixed and sent back to countries of origin.
But that is the way the world goes nowadays. Quite sad...
Best regards

 

[Joao]

Not a Nikonos, but this Nikon let in a some droplets of sea water between the film and the pressure plate , five years ago. I cleaned what I could, (no disassembling) and the camera is still working flawlessly out of the water since then. A full revision and seal replacement would be welcome, preferably in Europe-
nikon by João Avelar, no Flickr
The camera is too heavy to be used in walks - and is perfect for snorkelling. Maybe if I had used it in a more deep dive, the leak could have caused more serious damage

Regards
Joao