Back in late September of last year, I got a D300 from Cameta (bad call, should have paid a couple hundred extra and gotten it from B&H at the lower price of that time). I sent it to Cameta for service back in January, and got it back after a month. The autofocus system was fixed up, though the hot pixels were left alone, probably because I didn't know enough about them at the time to mention it in my note. After I got it back and switched it on, it didn't work. No power or anything. Eventually, it started working again, though whatever caused the malfunction was unknown.

Moving to right now, I was just flipping through some shots I took today on it, and it suddenly went haywire on me. The screen went blank, and it remained stuck on whatever setting I had it on at that time. Even flipping the power switch didn't change a thing. I took the battery (and card) out of the camera and replaced it with a different one. No change. A few minutes pass and I try it again, and now there's no apparent power. There must be something, because all the autofocus points (well, all 21 that I had it set to) are visible as outlines when I have the power switched on, and when it's off it's the usual blurry and blank screen. Other than that, there's no sign that it's on.

That's where things stand now. I'd gone for awhile without any trouble with it (hot pixels aside), so I suppose I was due for some. I had just charged the one battery (the one that was in it first) this morning, so that's not it.

Any advice? I really don't want to lose it again for a month or more, and pay for the privilege of it.

Do you have to pay?
If so, send it to nikon.

September is less than 12 months.

Nikon will fix it for free, just make sure you have a receipt with the date of purchase on it.

At what point is a camera considered a lemon or not worth fixing, if there is such a point?

luminosity wrote:
At what point is a camera considered a lemon or not worth fixing, if there is such a point?

If Nikon can't fix it and its not something you caused, they'll give you a new one.

I'm concerned that sending it back to Cameta/Nikon is pointless, because they'll try to tell me that it was somehow my fault or doing that's the reason it isn't working. I'll have to include a mention of how it didn't start up at all when I got it back from them in February.

It's just clear to me, at least from my perspective, that I got a bad copy. It's done well enough for the most part, but it's had some serious issues along the way. It was heavily used for a demo as well, with almost 600 shots on it when I got it (enough to where it wouldn't be taken back by B&H, if that's where it had come from originally).

Should have just gone with a new one when I got it, but too late now. I just fear that no matter what I'll do, I'll just continue losing money (as I'll have to pay for shipping and insurance, meaning that the total amount I'll have spent for it will easily be over what I would have paid for it new to begin with).

600 shots on a demo camera is nothing. when you purchased this camera from cameta was it sold with the full nikon backed warranty or a cameta backed warranty?

in your original writing you never mentioned it was a demo camera. you also need to make clear what warranty it carries.

It was a 90 day Nikon warranty with a year-long Cameta warranty.

Send it to Nikon with a detailed history of the problems you have had, as well as what repair action has been undertaken by Cameta. There is a good chance they may still repair it for free, especially if its a problem you did not cause. If they do charge you, well its the chance you take when you buy a used / demo / gray market item. At least you know it will be fixed right.

Larry

I have never heard of a "90 day Nikon warranty".

DGC1 wrote:
I have never heard of a "90 day Nikon warranty".
It's only on refurbished items. My refurbished D700 came with the standardd 90 day warranty. I also got a 3 year Mack warranty from Adorama for 99 bucks.

Sounds like a refurb. You can try your luck with Nikon but be prepared to be denied. What's wrong with sending it back to Cameta since their warranty is still in effect? From what I've read about Cameta (have not bought anything from them myself) I'm sure they will resolve your problem. Who knows, maybe they will just replace yours with another refurb.

There's nothing "wrong" with sending it back to Cameta, except that by the end of July, I'll have owned my D300 for 10 months but have had it with me for only eight of those months. For the second time this year, I'll be going without it for a month. In fact, I sent it out six months ago this week for its first trip back to Cameta.

All the stuff I wanted to do during the few weeks I have off is now impossible.

I don't know if they will do this, but ask if they would send a loaner while yours is in for repairs, explaining the plans? Worst they'll do is say no, and at best, your plans won't be totally hosed.

Out of curiosity, have you tried unmounting and remounting the lens to see if that fixes it? I know it seems obvious so I hope that's not insulting, just making sure you didn't get so wrapped up in the "STUPID CAMERA. WORK, DAMMIT." that you forgot to try some other steps.

Poor electrical contact on the lens can cause all kinds of funkiness. When I use my 300mm f/4 + 1.7x converter, there is just enough play that once in a very great while, the camera will freeze up. Whatever I'm doing, I can't get out of it - unless I jiggle the lens or turn it off and back on. Only happens with that particular combo, and very infrequently, but it's there.

UPDATE:

I just talked with a Cameta Camera representative, and I am being sent another demo, with a 3 year Nikon extended warranty attached. They offered it for just under $100, and I accepted. Seems like a deal to me, especially seeing that the warranty will be transferrable. I'd like to think that a second body will work fine, given the odds.

It'll be sent out on Monday.

Good news!

luminosity wrote:
UPDATE:

I just talked with a Cameta Camera representative, and I am being sent another demo, with a 3 year Nikon extended warranty attached. They offered it for just under $100, and I accepted. Seems like a deal to me, especially seeing that the warranty will be transferrable. I'd like to think that a second body will work fine, given the odds.

It'll be sent out on Monday.
So you paid extra for the warranty?

I was not aware that Nikon gave extended warranties on cameras?? Usually, you get 1 year on cameras and 5 years on lenses. I'd check back and see who actually is backing the warranty.

It's a demo, so yes. It comes to about $30 a year, which seems reasonable. I've used my warranty twice before, so I may have a different perspective on it than some.

I'd check back and see who actually is backing the warranty.

I imagine I'll find out when I get the warranty card.

Probably a Mack warranty or something then?

Good to hear, let us know how this one turns out.

Always good to see a retailer putting its money where its mouth is. I've had good dealings with Cameta in the past, seems like they're trying to treat you right too. Good people, I think.

Based on their stepping up the plate, I must change my opinion of them to a positive one. It partly depends on the quality of the D300 body I receive, but I'm confident it'll work out well. I've read many good dealings people have had with Cameta, and was disappointed that I couldn't join in the acclaim.

They'll be taking a loss on my sale, since I doubt they'll get much for my old D300.

First clean the lens contact points on the camera and lens. Then make sure you have the latest Firmware update. If it's not that, send it in.