stephen_schumacher Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 My car was rear ended a couple of weeks ago and unfortunately the point of impact was my camera bag with my F100. I had one of the new 24-85 "G" series lenses mounted on it. I ran a roll of film thru the camera an it looks ok to me, but since the other guy's insurance company is responcible for damages I figure I should have the body and lense both checked out. I have heard a lot of tales of the ruggedness of Nikon products, so I would anticipate the F100 coming out unscathed. I'm more worried about the lens. What tests would be reasonable to perform or to insist on at a repair center? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_purcell Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 Shutter accuracy, from one end of the scale to the other; focusing accuracy; film/lens mount flatness; electronics like metering accuracy. Use slide film so there�s no extra generation (and unwanted adjustment) of print film. Test the shutter by using reciprocal exposures for as much of the scale as you have apertures on a lens, then change the light level so you can test the rest (ex: f/1.4 at 1/2000 down to f/22 at 1/8, then move to the shadows, re-meter, and test the rest of the slow speeds). Place a yardstick pointing at the lens, and focus on 12 inches wide open. Note on the final slide if the focus is actually on this point. Tape a sheet of newsprint flat to a mirror, shoot wide open, with the camera body square to the glass, to check the film plane for alignment. Check the meter against another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henk Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 Stephen, I would explain to them what happened and let them figure out the rest, they will probably do a full function check and an allignment check of the mount/shutter/lens elements or whatever. This way youll have some guarantee to future 'hidden' damages. In other words, dont tell them what to check, they are the experts and should know what to check.... Greetings, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 Make surea collimation test is done on the lens. if the results are less than perfect, the guys insurance company should pay for a new lens.<P>If I were you I'd send the lens and camera offto Niko to get checked out and have the other guy's insurance company pay for a rental set up for you while your camera set is gone. They might not go for it , but it never hurts to ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_gifford Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 <<since the other guy's insurance company is responcible for damages I figure I should have the body and lense both checked out. >> If the camera and lens don't show external signs of damage, the other guy's insurance company might balk at reimbursing you for examination or repair. If you were an underwriter, wouldn't you want some assurance that any expenses are related to the accident? Not sure what form such assurance could take. But I do hope the incident doesn't leave you with a malfunctioning camera, and certainly in a perfect world you'd be entitled to reimbursement for costs to restore the proverbial status quo ante. Good luck, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_schumacher Posted November 7, 2002 Author Share Posted November 7, 2002 Question for Jim Gifford... Would you recomend sending it straight back to Nikon or is there someone local to the Washington DC area you would recomend. There is always Strauss.. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_gifford Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 Stephen, I don't know any inspection or repair places in the DC area (there may be plenty of 'em but I haven't needed to find any)... so I can't help with suggestions other than ship-it-to-Nikon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephen_schumacher Posted November 7, 2002 Author Share Posted November 7, 2002 Thanks Jim. I'll send it back thru Penn Camera... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_stockdale2 Posted November 7, 2002 Share Posted November 7, 2002 Steve, Plenty of good advice above. Can you let us know how you go with the insurance company? Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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