Question regarding repair costs of Nikon FM

[J.David]

Hey all,

How much (rough estimate) would it cost me to refurbish the padding around the mirror?

Here is the posted desctiption
"Nikon FM body $40
Works fine mechanically, but has damage to the prism cover from a drop and the padding around the mirror needs to be refurbished"

I am nervous to contact the seller due to the ominous phrasing concerning the "prism cover" and "padding"

Anyways, what I am wondering is if it is worth the 40$ if I am just going to be paying a bunch for repairs.

-Jake

(also, this is my first post so I am not sure if I put it in the right place)

 

[nikon_sam]

Keep looking...another one will pop up...

 

[healyzh]

I think you can find kits for this on eBay. One of these days I plan to have the shop I bought my FM2 from used back in '86 do replace the padding and seals. IIRC, it will run me about $100. It's only worth it to me because of what that particular camera means to me. It and I traveled the world together while I was in the Navy. I still use the FM2, as well as a F3HP, though since getting a M6 TTL, I use it a lot more.

 

[colyn]

Don't buy....

Another without damage will show up.

Many times a dropped camera will have other damage..

 

[sevo]

Three strips of foam are around $10 with shipping, (or $20 for two sheets good enough to fix fifty FM with) - that is a DIY thing. Fifty to more than a hundred, if you absolutely must source it out, though - it does not need the expertise of an repair person, but you won't be charged any less because of that, and it takes its time. Besides, smart repair shops will not do partial service on a camera unless you are a professional dealer or already established customer, fearing dissatisfaction when the camera has been partially re-foamed but still has many flaws remaining (if the mirror needs refoaming, all back seals will be shot as well, and the shutter will usually need some attention too).

But the foam is the harmless part. "Damage to the prism cover" means you should stay off the camera unless you have means to check before you buy that that is merely a mild cosmetic dent. A shattered prism or misaligned focusing screen would make the camera useless and beyond economic repair given the low price even good ones cost.

 

[barnwulf]

I have a Nikon FE2 and had a CLA done and that included replacing the mirror foam cushion It was $100 at my local repair shop. Jim