Camera Repair?

Gofor · 03-18-2008, 10:02 PM

Woodworking related as the camera in question is the one I use to provide pics!!

LOML's camera (Nikon Coolpix 5000) has lost its ability to focus when using the mechanical zoom feature. Does anyone have a camera repair shop in the Raleigh/Goldsboro/Greenville (and as a stretch the Fayetteville) areas that they can recommend for an analysis/fix?

Go

Canuck · 03-18-2008, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Gofor

Woodworking related as the camera in question is the one I use to provide pics!!

LOML's camera (Nikon Coolpix 5000) has lost its ability to focus when using the mechanical zoom feature. Does anyone have a camera repair shop in the Raleigh/Goldsboro/Greenville (and as a stretch the Fayetteville) areas that they can recommend for an analysis/fix?

Go

Although I can't offer any recommendation's Mark, I too would interested in finding out. I have an inexpensive Canon Powershot that I accidentally dropped last Xmas and the lens will not retract nor focus. I took it over to Wolf Camera in Raleigh and they wanted $75, just to do an analysis!

So. Needless to say, it now sits on a shelf(broken) in a closet!

Have you tried any local independent camera shops?

Hopefully someone with someone with some similar experiences will chime in for us!

Wayne

Gotcha6 · 03-18-2008, 10:19 PM

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, guys, LOML wanted to give me a new camera for Christmas last year. I told her to just give me her 'old' one & get her a new one. Hers was a Canon Coolpix 4300 & it's sitting here beside the computer! I don't want it to start feeling obsolete! WHAT'LL I DO THEN?

NCPete · 03-19-2008, 01:19 AM

unfortunately, many of the less expensive digital cameras are nearly throw-away items once they start to fail. repair costs often exceed the original value of the camera

I have sold them in the RTO business for the last several years and find that they are rarely economically viable to repair.

LeftyTom · 03-19-2008, 07:24 AM

Is there still a Wolfe Camera in Raleigh? There used to be one on Lake Boone Trail (I've been removed from Wake County for 9 years now).

Canuck · 03-19-2008, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by LeftyTom

Is there still a Wolfe Camera in Raleigh? There used to be one on Lake Boone Trail (I've been removed from Wake County for 9 years now).

Tom,

There are about 5 locations in Raleigh. - Cameron Village, Crabtree Valley, North Hills, Brier Creek Commons, Harvest Plaza and Triangle Town Center.

http://www.wolfcamera.com/

I have been told that the bigbox stores, Best Buy will also have a look at camera's, but I have not tried them out.

Good luck,

Wayne

Steve W · 03-19-2008, 11:12 AM

As said previously, the repair costs virtually guarantee that most digital cameras today become throw-aways once they fail.

I am fairly certain that any repair done to cameras in a certain geographical area will be done by the same one or two repair shops, as camera repair is a rather exacting skill that requires a bunch of pretty specialised tools. I do remember from when I owned a Wild Bird Center, for instance, that there was really only one optics repair business in the Boston area that basically did all optics / camera repair for most of Mass., R.I., N.H. and Maine. Any camera place that took cameras in for repair basically sent them to the one place in Boston. And yes, there will be a mark-up on repairs that are farmed out (nobody works for free, ya know). Being such a specialised business, repair charges will generally run "up there" in price. Heck, back in the 90s that shop in Boston was charging $75/hour.

I just noticed that Tiger Direct had some pretty good deals on 7.1 Megapixel "point-and-shoot" type digital cameras for under $200, IIRC. I'd buy a new one and sell the broken one on eBay (making sure you mention up-front that it's broken). There are tinkerers out there who can fix them by cannibalising multiple cameras to make one good one.

Steve

Canuck · 03-19-2008, 11:34 AM

Thanks, Pete and Steve.

In todays throw-away society, it is a shame.

Personally, I only used the camera for about 6 months. (I guess I can retrieve the memory from the camera and put a new one on my XMas, Fathers Day or birthday list!

)

Wayne

sapwood · 03-19-2008, 02:11 PM

Wolf Camera and Ritz Camera are the same company. About 2 years ago I had a Fuji Finepix camera repaired under warranty. As Steve noted, it was sent to a regional center in Baltimore/DC area. The service was going to take 6-8 weeks, but I cried foul and got it back within a week.

There is a privately owned store in Durham named Camera Works. I've never used their repair service, but I have sold them used equipment. They sell new and used (repaired) equipment, but I'm not sure if they repair on-site.

HTH,
Roger

Will Goodwin · 03-19-2008, 05:26 PM

Sorry to say this, but I tend to agree with the others. You may end up paying more than the camera is worth to fix it. FWIW, we just bought our camera and we love it. It is a step above the point and shoot credit card thin models. Kodak easyshare z712 IS. We bought it on sale at Circuit City when they were having a holiday sale. Any of the z700 series are good and chances are when you go to buy, they won't have the one I bought....they come out with new ones all the time. It is a consumer reports best buy for the shutter speed (minimal delay) and some of the other features.

Gofor · 03-19-2008, 10:32 PM

I guess opinions vary, but I don't consider a camera I paid over $700 for 6 years ago to be cheap throw-away.

As you can tell, LOML takes her photography seriously, and I was trying to head off buying one that takes interchangeable lenses. With a half dozen good Nikor lenses, from our SLR days, I had hoped that one of the digital models would accept the old lenses, but they have changed the bayonet mounts a couple times since we bought them. At least they are getting down below a grand now.
Another requirement for her camera will be that it shoots in RAW mode (producing a picture that is the actual input the photoreceptors receive without any in-camera software editing/compression). Since she has started working with Photoshop C3, she has found that this mode greatly enhances/simplifies the ability to correct anything wrong with the photo.
Oh well. Guess this means that none of that rebate check will be spent on wood tools. At least I'll be handed off the old one which still works quite well for most shots. Sure wish I could buy the bulk chemicals and Ektachrome film I used to use. Doing it myself sure was a cheaper way to go altho I gotta admit that digital is much easier.

,

Thanks for the info

Go

Will Goodwin · 03-19-2008, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Gofor

I guess opinions vary, but I don't consider a camera I paid over $700 for 6 years ago to be cheap throw-away.
As you can tell, LOML takes her photography seriously, and I was trying to head off buying one that takes interchangeable lenses. With a half dozen good Nikor lenses, from our SLR days, I had hoped that one of the digital models would accept the old lenses, but they have changed the bayonet mounts a couple times since we bought them. At least they are getting down below a grand now.
Go

Sorry didn't realize exactly what kind of camera it was....may be worth at least getting a quote. I hear you about LOYL... mine has a Canon 10D .. and all of her lenses from the old SLR camera fit the digital version. My wallet is very thankful!

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