Nikon d3 - aperture mechanism repair costs

[5711]

<p>just yesterday my nikon d3 started to produce images that tell me the aperure control is having troubles.<br>

it is not the shutter!</p>

<p>anyone had this replaced amd what did you have to pay for that?</p>

<p>thanks in advance</p>

<p> </p>

[kari_oinonen]

<p>The lens? You did test other lenses to exclude aperture mechanism fault on the lens side?</p>

[5711]

<p>16<br /> 24<br /> 28<br /> 50</p>

<p>55<br /> 16-35 <br /> 14-24<br /> 24-70<br /> 70-200<br /> cleaned all contacts<br /> did reset the camera<br /> no blackscreens in the vf</p>

<p>did everything</p>

<p>and no, it is not the shutter!</p>

<p>it is, the aperture control as the error can bee seen in the images.<br /> they are perfect to a point where it suddenly goes to -5 EV and shows f 3.5*<br>

the -5ev are not shown in the data, but the image looks like this (it gets really really dark.. roughly -5 ev)</p>

<p>the * is the signature for changing aperture in P mode and will be shown next to your fstop as soon as you move the dials</p>

<p>i take pictures in A and M, 90% A, and this should not happen</p>

<p>as there is no blackscreens or interlaced images, the shutter can be ruled out</p>

<p>the camera works again after taking the lens off and putting it back on.</p>

<p>so there you go, must be aperture mechanism.</p>

<p>i am asking because i want to know what it might be like, rather tos end it in and pay 25 euros for nikons estimate.</p>

<p>i got this camera in mid 2008 and it is worth nothing but it still does take pretty cool images as i carry it everywhere.</p>

<p>so i want to know what thecosts might be.<br /> i found numbers on the internet ranging from 300 dollars to 800 pounds which seems a bit much too me.</p>

<p>did anyone actually have the aperture mechanism changed on a d3 and can tell me how much it was?<br /> thanks in advance!</p>

<p> </p>

[kari_oinonen]

<p>If it is the mechanical aperture system fault, then I guess, usually photos should come out lighter, not darker. It is also possible that camera side is "over acting" and making the aperture smaller than your setting is.<br>

And you are saying that the fault appears with all or at least many of your lenses?<br>

Do you get the fault easier when using high fps, high or low shutter speed or does it matter?<br>

If you shoot a lens fully open and still get the fault, then.</p>

<p>Trying to help you to find even easier to correct cause than aperture mechanism.</p>

 

[Ed_Ingold]

<p>A problem with the aperture sticking is reparable by a simple CLA, for about $100 (e.g., Authorized Nikon Repair in Morton Grove, IL). Sticking will cause sporadic overexposures not explained by other potential causes. It is common in lenses older than about 10 years, before newer, non-migrating lubricants came in common use.</p>

[elliot1]

<p>Why not just send your camera to Nikon and have them give you a free estimate. The body is certainly worth repairing. KEH also has flat rate repairs and it should be $215 from them which sounds quite reasonable.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>If you look into your D3 from the front, with no lens attached, there is a little mechanical lever at the 9 o'clock position inside the lens mount. I have seen a number of those levers getting slightly bent, and it would close the aperture diaphragm improperly. E.g. that happened to my FE maybe 30 years ago. Typically it is not difficult to carefully bend it back into position yourself, but do so gently. It is best if you have another Nikon SLR around to compare lever positions.</p>

<p>That would be the first thing I'd check, although it may or may not be your problem.</p>

[5711]

<p>first off<br /> thank you all for your time and comments!<br /> highly appreciated<br /> thank you</p>

<p>@ kari oinonen</p>

<p>the error occoured with all the lenses at all aperture settings, wide open up to whereever i was (usually not going higher than 11, execpt i really need the shutter speed)</p>

<p>i will try to add an image, so you know what i am talking about<br /> it is always very dark. if i open the raw file and correct the exposure by +5 EV id have a propper exposure. this does not work of course. the image is ruined.</p>

<p>@ edward ingold and elliot bernstein</p>

<p>there is no such thing as free estimate, it is 25 euros and i would have to send it to germany.<br /> a d3 is worth repairing, yes. mine...not so much..it has the second shutter and had some very ...heartbtreaking accidents during its lifetime and they would probably want to repair all of it :)</p>

<p>it is a communication issue and i was at my favourite camerashop her in vienna already (photoboerse) and they are quite helpful but cannot provide me with any numbers.<br /> we will figure something out though.</p>

<p>@shun cheung</p>

<p>i checked what you said<br /> and actually, it was a bit bend.<br /> i adjusted it and took 500 jpgs, CH spotmetering the sky<br /> during 500 shots the error usually would occour twice.<br /> now it is not a very scientific test, i agree, but it worked for longer than usual<br /> i will use it this weekend and let my main body in the bag and hope for no problems.<br /> if it really was as simple as that..if we ever meet, the beer is on me :)</p>

<p>thank you all, again!!</p>

<p> </p>

[5711]

<p><img src="/photo/17867764" alt="" /></p>

<p>http://www.photo.net/photo/17867764</p>

<p>set photography for some music video, moving to another location<br /> did not take a photo for..i dont know..half an our but had the camera turned on<br /> took this and it looks like what it looks like..<br /> it is roughly -5 EV</p>

<p>displayed the f 3.5 * error in A mode.<br /> the shot should have been f 2.8 (focused on the camera man, whatever)</p>

[5711]

<p>@shun cheung</p>

<p>nope, turns out that wasn't the problem.<br>

just to let you know.</p>

<p>i'll just have it repaired..what the hell..</p>

<p>thanks though</p>