Dropped my F100....

I dropped it and it hit the concrete ground in the rear left corner , below the

film back latch. The plastic hinges broke and now I have to tape it shut. There

is a (thick) hairline crack near the DX readers, but it seems to not affect

anything.

 

My problem is that it seems something in the pentaprism was knocked loose. The

diopter perhaps? It is now impossible to manually focus. Sometimes when I pick

it up, things look pretty clear, other times I can hardly read the LCD numbers

inside. Autofocus still seems to be working fine.

 

I am currently living in relatively remote Chinese city, so I don't know what my

options are... do you think that a camera repairman here could fix it?

Has anyone experienced something similar?

 

Thanks,

Andrew

Sorry to hear about your F100. However, this is an opportunity to upgrade to an F6. Absolutely, the best film camera ever made.

 

Good Luck.

 

Anthony

Yes, buy a replacement.

 

I am sorry to say this but people keep saying that some cameras are "built like a tank". No, they aren't. They are delicate instruments.

You have to go to big city, such Shanghai and Beijing to find poeple who can do repair job and it may cost pretty much. If you really want to keep using F100, you should find some used sets with reasonable low price.

http://www.fengniao.com/secforum/420185.html :98% new F100 + MB15 4000RMB ($560)

http://www.fengniao.com/secforum/426668.html : all most new F100 3888RMB ($550)

If the camera won't focus, you probably dislodged the ground glass. It's in a frame that latches into place at the front of the camera. The prism or eyepiece might be damaged, but I doubt it unless it landed upside down.

 

If you don't have the tweezers that come with a replacement screen, use a toothpick or something that won't scratch to put it back in place. Make sure the screen is nestled in the frame, then lift the frame and push it back slightly so that it latches. It's hinged n back and little tabs engage the body at the front of the mirror box.

 

A new back costs about $35 from Nikon. All you get is the plastic part - you have to transfer the hardware. Try to find a factory-authorized service center. If you take it in and pick it up, you should get it back by the next day (if not sooner).

Film cameras is excellent condition have been traded in in great numbers for digital

cameras and can be found for relatively low prices now. There is always the Nikon FM10 for

under $200.00 new if you just need something to get you by.

Thanks Edward,

 

I took out the focusing screen and put it back it, but the problem hasn't changed... Perhaps part of the mechanism holding it in is broken.

 

I'll look into a new back.

Here's a picture of the camera. The diopter dial is way off; these are the two extremes. I can't remember whether it always looked like this. Would that even affect anything?<div></div>

As you can buy a 'new' F100 for under ?200 and considering repair costs it might be better to buy another one. My rewind spool broke onthe F100 and cost almost ?70 to have a metal one fitted. Once these great cameras develop a 'serious' fault its nearly always bette to buy again.

 

Sorry to hear about your F100 though. If you do decide to repair it then I hope it proves an inexpensive decision.

I was referring to the FM10 new for under $200.00, made right there in China. Used F100's

in excellent condition go for around $300.00 plus in the USA.

Buy a replacement F100. These situations happen and while disturbing you need to get back shooting! I've always believed that two cameras are better than one expensive camera. Of course, you can sell your broken f100 for parts .. buy two almost new F100s for about $600 US .. why not travel with two cameras loaded with different film? If something happens on your trip, use your reserve camera and continue enjoying your trip ..

 

Cameras are ment to be used, yes we admire the tools we acquire, but nothing lasts forever .. things break, get lost/stolen; sometimes fixing costs more than new .. we live, we learn and move on. No matter how remote your location, if you get mail, you can replace your camera.

He must already have two cameras! How else could he have sent us those photos of the broken one?

I try to protect my cameras, and I am sure you do also. Sometimes, stuff happens. I dropped a Canon A95 from waist level (I am very tall) onto concrete pavement. It suffered a minor nick on one corner (you have to look carefully to see it) but continues to work perfectly. I have an F100 and am disappointed by your report. I guess all the "built like a tank" stuff is just hype.

"built like a tank" is not exactly like dropping the camera on a rock or cement. If you drop the camera and it hits a grass-covered area, chances are not much will be damaged....but Nikon suggests you treat you camera in a gentle manner for all things inside the camera body to work as designed.

<i>"other times I can hardly read the LCD numbers inside."

<p>

"The diopter dial is way off; these are the two extremes."</i>

<p>

I have never taken apart an F100.

<p>

I did once buy an F4 'as is' for dirt cheap. I took it apart, and the adjustable lens that's in the diopter train had become dislodged. If you can't read the LCD and the diopter mechanism seems out of whack, that's my bet on what has happened here.

<p>

AF is determined independent of the eyepiece view (can't recall if it's under the mirror or in the pentaprism area on an F100), so that tracks.

<p>

As others have said, replacement cost probably beats a repair on an economic basis. You could try taking it apart (as I did), but that's a crap shoot.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will try to get someone to look at the diopter (Now I just need to find the Chinese word for it!). I am living here, and the problem isn't not having other cameras. This is just the best film camera I have, and it was a graduation gift that did not want to part with. The best substitute I have is an F70.

Thanks again,

Andrew

Sell it as is and buy a used F5.

 

I have two F5s that I've put thruogh hell,and they still work.[i fell 30feet from a tree with one and it was undamaged. Me on the other hand was]

 

The magnesium body in the F100 is inferior compared to the aluminum used in the F5 bodys!!!!![magnesium cracks, aluminium bends]

<p>I have a 7 year old F100 which I have had great lluck with as per damage. I was once running to catch a bus when I tripped and landed on my F100 on concrete. The only damage to the camere was a small gouge on the pentaprism and 4 broken ribs in my chest. IU have also dropped from the top of a suburban onto a sidewalk. Unfortunately it landed on a corner and cracked the edge of the battery compartment. This both happened several months aga and the camera is still working great. A little epoxy and flat black touch up paint and you have to look very closely to see the damage. Best camera I've ever owned.</p>