Defective Nikon FA bodies... What to Do?

I recently tested my Nikon Fas and got the rolls back. Two of the cameras aren't working right. It seems the shutters are defective... most negatives on the rolls are clear. A few are properly exposed.

 

I was wondering if anyone here has any experience getting FAs repaired? I really like the cameras, but I'd like to limit any repairs to around $100 each. Otherwise, I'll put them up for sale for parts.

 

Thanks for any replies.

I really like the cameras, but I'd like to limit any repairs to around $100 each.

 

- I think you'll be exceedingly lucky to find any reputable repairer willing to spend their time digging through an FA's complex wiring loom for less than $100. The shutter and offending solenoids are impossible to reach without an extensive strip-down of the camera.

 

The FA shutter is notoriously unreliable, and I don't think Nikon ever got the design right; despite a change of curtain pattern and other tweaks.

 

I've been meaning to run mine over a powerful degaussing coil, just to see if the solenoids have become magnetised. It's about the only non-invasive 'cure' I can think of. A shot in the dark, and a long shot at that, but at least it won't cost much to try.

I had an FA that from time to time the shutter speed went to 1/4000 regardless or whatever exposure mode and what the meter indicates.

Unfortunately, I have to grudgingly agree with Joe.

 

FAs seem to be hit or miss. Mine will occasionally give me blank frames, although it's infrequent enough that I still use it occasionally if there's something important I take at least two(it's never given me two blanks in a row).

 

If you have a good one, it seems like it works forever, but the problematic ones probably can't be economically fixed.

 

It's a shame, too, as when it works great it definitely is a great camera.

I really like the cameras, but I'd like to limit any repairs to around $100 each.

Think you can buy a working one from eBay for about that much or maybe just a little more... if you look around. A plumber charges hundreds just to do something simple, and a camera inner wiring is much more intricate. Good luck. :)

It's like keeping a vintage, but non-collectable, car running.

 

There comes a time when you just gotta let it go......R.I.P :(

It's a shame they lacked the durability of a lot of the other Nikons. The FA was my favorite consumer film body. I had a black one with an MD-15. It gave up the ghost about 15 years ago.

 

Stay sharp,

Bob

I figured the least I could do was send the cameras off for a repair estimate. Waiting for the results...