AIS lens servicing

I got a good price on a nice looking FM2n with a 105/2.5 AIS on eBay. The camera is great (just needs foam and I can do that myself) but the lens has very slow moving aperture blades. The lever moves freely and the blades don’t have visible oil, but they move very slowly in both the opening and closing directions.

 

So, before I start making complaints I’d like to know what to ask for. Of course I’d prefer to keep this if the seller would compensate me. Who is the go-to guy to service these lenses? About how much does it cost?

You don't say where you live. But for all my Nikon work over the years I've used Authorized Photo Service in Morton Grove, IL.

Should have said, Boston area.

Yes, Authorized Photo Service in the Chicago area should be good, but for manual focus stuffs, there maybe additional shops in New England and NY, closer to the OP.

Repairs are a tricky cost/benefit calculation these days. Service fees often make replacement more cost effective, depending on the specific item and condition. Getting the aperture blades sorted out is probably not going to be cheap: thats a deep dive in the AIS series. The 105mm is common enough in decent condition: unless this lens is pristine it may not be worth it (you could sell it as-is and apply the proceeds to another of the same lens that is working properly).

 

Check with Bromfield Camera or Hunts to see who they recommend (or if they offer in-house repairs). I've bought used Hasselblad and Nikon gear from both and had no problems, but never had any repair dealings with them. One thing that often throws newbies: local standalone camera repair techs can be a little eccentric, and their shops even stranger (not unlike fine watch repairers). Most of these guys are older, and long retired from manufacturer service depts. They're set in their ways and sometimes have personality quirks. Their method of handling quotes and communications can be... lets just say off-putting. If you think that would bother you, handle it thru a known camera store you're comfortable with instead (even if it costs more). Otherwise, you could talk to an independent like Camera Craftsman on Commonwealth. Good luck!

Edited March 29, 2019 by orsetto

@orsetto thanks. I made some calls and found a local guy, Sanford Camera, which I remember did some work for me way, way, way back in the day. The cost is more than I’m excited about paying but I put it to the seller - would you rather cover the repair or take a return.

I assumed, but do not know, that the Authorized Photo Service in Morton Grove (About our Nikon camera repair specialists) is the former Ehrenreich Photo Optical Inc of the early NIkon years (EPOI) that really started Nikon in the USA.

In any event, I second the recommendation. For me, they've been good and fast too.

 

I love my Nikkor-P 105mm f/2.5 NON-AI and still use it on my older Nikons and current Canon EOS cameras.

Agreed, APS is the go-to place for Nikon repairs if you're OK with shipping the item to a service. Some people prefer local dropoff/pickup, to save on shipping costs if nothing else. This is more feasible with simple mechanical lenses like JDMvW's (beautiful) old Nikkor 105mm pre-AI, or andylynn's AIS issue.

 

Anything complicated or electronic I would certainly ship to APS. Some local techs are brilliant and cheaper, but it can be hard to vet them unless you've had prior dealings or get recommendations from other photographers. Even then, you never know: the local eccentric ex-Hassy guy who's healed my gear for ten years suddenly went out of business a couple months ago and disappeared, stranding a lot of customers who had left things with him (luckily not me). If in doubt, use a mail-in firm of good reputation.

Edited March 29, 2019 by orsetto

Most likely just needs the diaphragm return spring replaced, not a big deal. But you need the spring....I would check out the Chicago service as per recommendation above.

The follow up on this: Sanford Camera Repair in Arlington, MA did a great job. He CLA’d the aperture and it’s all good now, and re-lubed the helicoids and cleaned the internal lens elements while he was at it. I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve seen one of these completely without haze, and it’s a thing of beauty.