Strap lug replacement for Nikon F

[rbsinto]

I'm sure there is a thread somewhere on this site about camera repairs, but I can't put my finger on it, so I'll ask here:
I chipped a strap lug on my motorized F body, and while the lug is still more or less intact, I'd like to have it replaced just to be safe, as the body plus motor is heavy, and is a user, not a Shelf Queen.
My local Toronto repair person Mr. Fung (Winball Camera Repair) retired, and I wondered if anyone could suggest a person or company reasonably local to Toronto who do the replacement.
I've never attempted to get inside a body, and while I assume it isn't difficult, without the proper instructions or tools, it isn't something I'd like to tackle.
Please and thank you.
Robert

 

[nikonhswebmaster]

The lug is simple to replace, but the top plate must be removed.

The lug is set into a hole and a screw keeps it in place. The design from the Nikon M era, was still being used on the F5!

You should use one of the later F lugs with the stainless steel insert if possible.

 

[oftheherd]

One perhaps a parts/repair body be cheaper than sending it off? I have no ides what a repair like that should cost.

 

[rbsinto]

The lug is simple to replace, but the top plate must be removed.

The lug is set into a hole and a screw keeps it in place. The design from the Nikon M era, was still being used on the F5!

You should use one of the later F lugs with the stainless steel insert if possible.

I have an F parts body with two intact lugs, so sourcing the parts isn't an issue. However, as I said, I have no experience disassembling a body and any specialized tools (if any are required) to do so, so removing the top plate is the problem.
If the job can be done with run-of-the-mill tools, such as jeweler's screwdrivers (which I have) and reasonably good instructions are available, I'd give it a shot.
Robert

 

[Vickko]

Specialized tool is needed to unscrew the shutter release collar, if that is the side you want to take off.

Issue / complexity is the amount of stuff you need to remove to get to the lug screw.

It isn't hard, it is pretty straightforward, just have to be methodical.

From the parts drawing, looks like the rewind side, a side that is much less congested but flash socket wire might need to be removed and re-soldered.

 

[nikonhswebmaster]

That drawing is an F5, just grabbed it from the web. But the concept is identical.

 

[rbsinto]

The strap lug to be replaced is indeed on the film advance/shutter button/ shutter speed dial end of the camera.
Since I don't have the tools to remove the exterior bits, can anyone please suggest someone who can?
Thanks,
Robert

 

[nikonhswebmaster]

I wish I knew, my last repairmen passed away. In the classic Nikon F era there was only one guy, Marty Forscher.

That is why I learned to do it myself.

 

[Godfrey]

I've heard nothing but good things about Sover Wong and his work on Nikon F and F2 cameras. Give him a shout: soverf2repair@yahoo.com

His F2 repair website: http://www.soverf2repair.webs.com

I figure that as long as I have to send a camera somewhere for service, where doesn't really matter. Might as well go with whomever has the best reputation.

G

 

[rbsinto]

While he never did any work for me, Marty Forscher's Professional Camera Repair was the place to go for repairs and customizing film equipment back in the 60's and 70's.
And Sover Wong does indeed have a wonderful reputation, but it is really most impractical to ship and insure a camera to and from England to have a strap lug replaced.
It would be easier and likely less expensive to send it across the continent to Cameraquest, if there was no one closer.
However, I have spoken to two local sources who confirmed they can do the repair (Kominek who has done work for me in the past and Toronto Camera Service whose name was only reluctantly supplied to me this morning by Nikon Canada) and I will be taking the camera to one of them next week to have the work done.
If anyone needs more contact information for these people, let me know and I'll supply it.
Robert

 

[nikonhswebmaster]

Robert it will be fine, pulling the top cover on an F is really easy, any competent Nikon repair person has done it many times. Takes all of maybe 15 minutes, unless there is corrosion.

 

[rbsinto]

Robert it will be fine, pulling the top cover on an F is really easy, any competent Nikon repair person has done it many times. Takes all of maybe 15 minutes, unless there is corrosion.

I have no doubt it will be.
I just wish I had received a bit more helpful information, so I could have attempted to do this myself.
Robert

 

[nikonhswebmaster]

I have no doubt it will be.
I just wish I had received a bit more helpful information, so I could have attempted to do this myself.
Robert

Well Robert is it just like all of it predecessors back to the Nikon S2, you remove the grub screw in the AR ring, you pull the round nut.

You pull the wind lever, more tiny screws, and finally a push ring. There is nothing complicated, and actually everything is pretty obvious. If you have the Nikon F manual, which can be downloaded from the web, and look at the exploded drawing it is easy.
http://petapixel.com/2013/05/09/these-schematics-offer-an-exploded-view-of-old-nikon-slr-cameras/

But you need to be used to making a tool to remove the round nut on the shutter release collar, and using something to remove the push ring. You need high quality screw drivers, not one of those little inexpensive chrome sets. I use German Wiha. http://www.wihatools.com/precision-...thSsdv8_N_KWCmND9dB9wZLLoj-enLo8H8aAvZW8P8HAQ You can drive off the push ring with a plastic pusher, or a medicine bottle with tape on the edge (my way).

Here is the drawing, as you will notice there is only one screw directly into the body holding on the top plate.

There are no fussy adjustments or loss of adjustments in removing the top. Pretty much just common sense disassembly. The shutter speed dial is just screwed on from the top, simple.

The main two parts which are hard to remove are the two at the bottom, shutter nut and push ring.

The ability of someone to do this totally depends on their experience with small tools.

Scary Warning: As noted however things can be tight, screws that almost feel glued in, and push rings can feel frozen. It is possible to easily bugger up slotted screws or break off the heads. It is possible to make it almost impossible to easily fix the camera.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Try: Steve’s Camera Service Center: 4355 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City,
Ca. 90230 (310) 397-0072
I have used them for 2 Nikon Fs and a Canon

 

[Steve Bellayr]

On the other hand is it really worth replacing. How bad is the chip?

 

[Godfrey]

While he never did any work for me, Marty Forscher's Professional Camera Repair was the place to go for repairs and customizing film equipment back in the 60's and 70's.
And Sover Wong does indeed have a wonderful reputation, but it is really most impractical to ship and insure a camera to and from England to have a strap lug replaced.
It would be easier and likely less expensive to send it across the continent to Cameraquest, if there was no one closer.
However, I have spoken to two local sources who confirmed they can do the repair (Kominek who has done work for me in the past and Toronto Camera Service whose name was only reluctantly supplied to me this morning by Nikon Canada) and I will be taking the camera to one of them next week to have the work done.
If anyone needs more contact information for these people, let me know and I'll supply it.
Robert

Fine by me. Good local sources should be supported.

iMO, it takes the same amount of effort to ship a lens from Cupertino across SF Bay to Oakland as it does to England, just costs a bit more ... I hardly notice the difference.

G

 

[nikonhswebmaster]

Fine by me. Good local sources should be supported.

iMO, it takes the same amount of effort to ship a lens from Cupertino across SF Bay to Oakland as it does to England, just costs a bit more ... I hardly notice the difference.

G

Speaking of local, our own CameraQuest is quite good on older analog cameras. 🙂

 

[rbsinto]

On the other hand is it really worth replacing. How bad is the chip?

It is bad enough that I worry it could wear through (especially because I always keep an F36 attached so the rig is reasonably heavy) and cause the camera to come loose from the strap.
so my concern is not for cosmetic, but rather for practical reasons.
Robert

 

[Fraser]

It is bad enough that I worry it could wear through (especially because I always keep an F36 attached so the rig is reasonably heavy) and cause the camera to come loose from the strap.
so my concern is not for cosmetic, but rather for practical reasons.
Robert

There's the solution attach the end of the strap to the f36.
16fbpicNikonF36strap_01 by f4saregreat!, on Flickr

 

[rbsinto]

After much prodding, Nikon Canada, who didn't have the expertise, parts or desire to replace the broken strap lug on my Nikon F gave me the name of a local repair shop (Toronto Camera Service Centre) that said they could do the work.
I took them the camera as well as a parts body from which they could strip the lugs, and after four weeks (!) I picked up the camera today.
Their original estimate was $160.00 (Canadian) and the final cost was $180.00 (which included the various monies extorted by the Federal and Provincial governments for all their help in making the repairs).
It took longer than I would have liked, but all in all reasonable when one considers they used new lugs, and the camera received a CLA (shutter speeds and film transport adjusted). One more local repair person to add to my short list.