nikon ais lens repair help. australia :-)

[pixelvandal]

ello everyone, im relatively new to these parts so i hope its not too rude to ask for help so early into my posting.

recently i aquired some nikon Ais lenses

the 85mm f1.4, 180mm 2.8, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.4 and 24mm f2.8.

now.... every single one of these lenses has a little bit of fungus

and on a couple the focusing movement is stiff.

considering i talked the guy into selling them all for a VERY low price, ($80 haha) i figured id take the risk, and see if i can get the lenses CLA'd and have a nice kit for decent price.

now....ive never had any lenses cla'd, so before i start getting quotes on repair prices, i thought i'd ask what you think is a fair price to get charged to remove a bit of fungus, and lubricate the focusing assembly? so i can tell if im being quoted a fair price?

or if anyone can recommend a place in australia? ( im in Queensland, near brisbane)

some of you may say 'give it a go yourself' but let me tell you, i dont know if im capable of it. i tried to pull apart a Cosinon 55mm 1.4.... and lets just say.... its still sitting in pieces until i can figure out how i pulled it apart in the first place haha. I'm useless at mechanical repairs.

much appreciated everyone thanks for taking the time to read this.

 

[jonmanjiro]

If it was me, I'd contact Nikon Australia and see what they can do. I know Nikon in Japan still services Ai-S lenses (prices are very reasonable too) and I expect Nikon Australia can as well.

http://www.nikon.com.au/en_AU

 

[jwicaksana]

Wow that's a fantastic deal on fantastic lenses. We have quite a few SLR guys from Australia, so you should be able to receive solid advices. Enjoy!!

 

[peterm1]

A great price and a great haul of fantastic lenses. I presume you got them in Qld as the humidity there would account for their condition. I am based in Adelaide not in the eastern states and my camera guy for this kind of work is this fella - Ron Pinksterboer at a Camera House store in Adelaide.

http://www.camerahouse.com.au/our-stores/sa/adelaide-twin-city.aspx

He owns the store but is also a trained "old school" camera tech and whenever I have used him to work on lenses (Nikon, Leica and other lenses) he has done a top job. In addition to old MF lenses I have seen him tear down complex, modern AF lenses and cameras and put them back together to repair them and get them working. And I have used him a number of times to CLA lenses that are fogged, sticky or have fungus and some that have had physical damage from being dropped etc. His prices are pretty competitive, he knows his stuff and is reliable. He works hard to please clients and he will not rip you off.

a few bucks in delivery fees it would be worth it to you to send your stuff to them in Adelaide. And I would be happy to recommend him to you. I have no connection to this store apart from the fact that I am a regular customer who has been dealing with them for 20 years and keep coming back.

Even if you averaged say $80 -$120 (give or take depending on the work involved) per lens to strip down, clean repair and reassemble (which is more or less what it normally costs me for a full strip down and CLA on a lens) plus $30 -$50 for postage say for the lot, that still gives you an extraordinarily cheap set of excellent lenses especially considering how much the 85mm f1.4 and 180mm f2.8 normally sell for once put back into good condition. You would also still come out ahead on the other lenses too.

BTW the stiffness in some lenses is normally just because the lubricant has dried out. its quite easy for a skilled tech to strip apart the lens, clean out the old lube and replace it with new. The fungus can be a bigger issue as it can damage the lens coating and even etch the glass. If its gone that far, even if the fungus is removed the lens may not be able to be put back into top condition. But that's not usually the case and in any event it is the risk you take when you buy lenses in such condition.

I like to be loyal to my suppliers like these so if you decided to do it, private mail me and I will give you my details. If you tell them I referred you it would help me maintain the good relationship and you might benefit as they seem to take care to look after people who regulars like me refer to them.

 

[Bampot]

Hi there

Cannot speak highly enough of Anderson's Camera (07 3245 6444) Repair in Capalaba. Excellent service and specialize in Nikon.

 

[pixelvandal]

wow, thanks so much for the quick replies! yes i contacted andersons, and he said it would be minimum $170 per lens, more if there is even slightly more work. ill try contact the fellow at camera house, thank you so much for everyones input! one place even quoted me 3-400 for a cla of the 85mm.....
crazy!

 

[pixelvandal]

just an update, ron quoted me approx $200 per lens. i came accross Camercheckpoint.com.au through another forum.
located in dubbo, 30+ years experience. 66-130 depending on how much work is needed. not bad if you ask me. 🙂

 

[jonmanjiro]

Wow, not cheap. I only paid about $45 for a CLA at Nikon Japan on a Nikkor Ai-S 50/1.4 with aperture blades so oily they were stuck. That's why I suggested Nikon Australia. If their prices are in line with those in Japan it won't be expensive.

 

[pixelvandal]

haha, i contacted nikon australia as well! they use andersons as a service dept here. except they will make me pay a minimum of $200 just to look at it. wish i were living in japan right now....

 

[lynnb]

Foto Riesel in Sydney referred me to Five Star Camera Repairs when I had a problem with a Canon lens. They service all makes including Nikon. The price was less than half that charged by Canon Australia, and they did a good job.
http://www.fotoriesel.com.au
http://www.fivestarcamerarepairs.com.au