Last week I posted a series of questions about the failure of my Nikon D2X (see previous posting below) and the concensus was that Nikon were not playing fair especially as this was a professional camera costing thousands of pounds (£4000 to be exact). For such an expensive and professional piece of equipement to fail so completely with in a short space of time was disaapointing to say the least. Following the online debate I contacted Nikon and my questions and their responce are posted below.

My email to Nikon:

I have had my D2X (serial number 5054294) for less than five years and which I purchased new. In November of last year it failed competely. I took it to Cameratiks in Edinburgh who could not repair it and so they sent it onto you. The initial fairly modest estimate for repair was increased to over £900! For a professional camera with only moderate use to fail so completely does not inspire confidence. The estimate (supplied by you) only provides details of the parts and labour required although I had asked for details of the cause of the failure. I was intending buying a D3X as a replacement but am reluctant to do so in case the camera fails for the same reason within five years as with the D2X. I appreciate that the camera is out of warrenty but then what is the point of buying a professional camera that fails in such a short period?

Nikon’s reply:

Dear Mr Cooper,

Thank you for your recent email.

Having looked into the previous estimate provided to Cameratiks back in february I can advise that part of the main dc/dc power board failed and was the reason for the power issues you were experiencing.

I’m afraid we’re unable to determine exactly why this part failed but the only way to resolve the issue would be to replace the part in question.

We are confident that all of our products, not just our professional range are of durable quality.

It is certainly unfortunate that this component has failed within 5 years and if the unit had been under warranty the repair would have been carried out free of charge, however, as it is now 4 years since the warranty expired I’m afraid the repair charges would stand.

I trust that this information was of use to you, however, should you require any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards,

Ben Wetherall
Nikon UK Service Support

Conclusion:

That is it then? Because the camera was out of warranty (12 months) Nikon will do nothing. It does not matter that this was the top of the range professional camera, that it cost £4000, that it only had had moderate use, that I have been a Nikon user (and purchaser) for more than 20 years, Nope, instead they want me to pay £920 (almost 25% of the purchase price) to repair the camera. I looks like that that is the end of the matter – unless anyone out there has any suggestions?