Nikon S Repair

[the_hunter]

I recently acquired a Nikon S that has a damaged shutter curtain I have been looking into getting it repaired. Can someone suggest a place that does Nikon Shutter curtain replacement?

I have already tried a few:
CameraQuest is no longer repairing Nikon S cameras.
Precision Camera (Austin TX) won't do the work.
Advance Camera (Portland OR) has not responded to emails.
ITC Repair (Yorkville IL) willing to repair but needs me to provide curtains. Noted F curtains will not work (several others have stated the opposite).
Contacted Kanto Camera (Japan) their price seemed extremely high ($630, quite a bit more for repair than camera is worth).

Portland Camera Services PDX (Portland OR) only reasonable option with a price of $300. (After shipping the camera they added an addational $40 vulcanite replacement fee that seems very suspect... but I want to see the final product before raising a fuss)

It is sad to see now few options are available for Nikon repair and I suspect those number will keep getting smaller.

Conclusion!
Got the camera back form Portland Camera Services PDX (Portland OR) shutter looks OK but not great (a bit of slack when it sits un tensioned). Worst part is the returned my camera with a different back that has noticeable damage and a different serial number. Due to this I strongly suggest NOT using them for Nikon repair services!

 

[Mackinaw]

If you're willing to ship to Japan, try Kanto Camera. Look at their website for repair info. But note, they're off until next week.

Jim B.

 

[hap]

I recently acquired a Nikon S that has a damaged shutter curtain I have been looking into getting it repaired. Can someone suggest a place that does Nikon Shutter curtain replacement?

I have already tried a few:
CameraQuest is no longer repairing Nikon S cameras.
Precision Camera (Austin TX) won't do the work.
Advance Camera (Portland OR) has not responded to emails.
I recently contacted TC Repair (Yorkville IL) but have not heard back, holiday schedule I assume

Any more advice?

Don Goldberg can handle it. DAG Camera Fichtburg Wisconsin.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Another vote for Don. He works on Nikon rangefinders as well. You must be aware that he takes his time, but his work is first class.

 

[hap]

If you're willing to ship to Japan, try Kanto Camera. Look at their website for repair info. But note, they're off until next week.

Jim B.

Bellamy of JapanCameraHunter has a recent video of his visit to Kanto. A slimmed down but professional operation.

In the video they say waiting time for them to even look at a camera is 3 months.(or thereabouts).

 

[KoNickon]

Try Zacks Camera Repair in Providence, RI: http://www.zackscamerarepair.biz/

 

[Mackinaw]

Bellamy of JapanCameraHunter has a recent video of his visit to Kanto. A slimmed down but professional operation.

In the video they say waiting time for them to even look at a camera is 3 months.(or thereabouts).

Three months is about right. I sent a mint Canon VI-T to Kanto for repairs and a CLA back in 2019. I was going to send the camera to DAG, but heard good things about Kanto, so decided to give them a try. I dealt with their English speaking (and writing) office person, Ms. Suzuki. She have me detailed instructions on what to do and kept me in the loop with frequent emails. She told me it would take three months, and at almost precisely the three month mark, she sent me an email that they were starting repairs. They even sent me pictures of the camera being worked on. It needed a new self-timer, which they miraculously managed to find (who makes self-timers for the Canon VI-T camera?). I received the camera about two weeks after they finished with it. The entire process was quick, easy, and affordable. I'll definitely use Kanto again.

Jim B.

 

[splitimageview]

DAG, Gus Lazzari, Bill Moretz at Procamera.us.

 

[hap]

Where is location of Procamera?

 

[hap]

Gus Lazzari is meticulous and knowledgeable. Perhaps give him a call first to see what turnaround might be and consult about your Nikon problem before sending.

Those of us still in Califronia (there is a line of us waiting for their passport out) miss Gus when he moved to North Carolina.

 

[Zonan]

Where is location of Procamera?

Charlottsville, VA. procamera.us

He installed my Maxwell screen and adjusted so it was absolutely level/parallel all sides. Recommended.

 

[wjlapier]

Don Goldberg DAG is only working on Leica for now.

 

[hap]

Don Goldberg DAG is only working on Leica for now.

That’s weird. He CLAd my SP about two months ago

 

[wjlapier]

That’s weird. He CLAd my SP about two months ago

I have a couple of cameras I want to send him. He said Leica NJ is closed so he is getting way more repair request. So, for now it's only Leica. Maybe this summer other cameras. I'll wait.

 

[hap]

I have a couple of cameras I want to send him. He said Leica NJ is closed so he is getting way more repair request. So, for now it's only Leica. Maybe this summer other cameras. I'll wait.

yes, he did say to me that Leica NJ closed and that was a game changer for him and that he was swamped.

 

[wjlapier]

My S needs curtains. Procamera never responded back. Zack's won't do curtains. Nippon no. Sherry Krauter no. If Don won't for now, Kanto might be the last resort.

I'd attempt it but the camera is in too nice condition to play around with.

 

[splitimageview]

I’d suggest a phone call to pro camera. I’ve had better luck with phone than with email.

 

[WJJ3]

A shop in Tokyo called Kiitos is the foremost Nikon repair shop in Japan. They are overhauling an S2 for me now. Not sure if they have English support or work with overseas customers though.

 

[wjlapier]

I’d suggest a phone call to pro camera. I’ve had better luck with phone than with email.

Gave them a call today and looks like they will do the repairs needed.

Thank you for the recommendation.

 

[steveyork]

Vermont Camera has been up to anything I've given them, including several Nikon S2 rangefinders over the years. With one of them, the aperture ring of the lens was glued shut!!!!???!!!

Head bartender (Cameraquest) has a repair service. They repair Nikons too. I've sent several F's to them with good results. Shouldn't of sold that black 64. Oh well.