My father passed away a few weeks ago and I inherited his Nikon camera gear. It included: D200, D300, Nikkor 500mm f4 ED VR, 20mm Nikkor, 10.5mm fisheye Nikkor, and a 105mm f1.8 Nikkor. All of the gear has light mold growth inside and out from improper storage. The autofocus on the 500mm lens makes a low whirring sound but doesn't work.

The 500mm lens cost him over $10,000.00. Does anyone here have any idea how much it would cost to have Nikon repair these lenses? I tried to get an estimate from the Nikon repair website but for this type of repair, I have to send the lenses to their service center to get an estimate.

Are the cameras worth repairing?

the cameras, not so much.

The lens, probably so. You could also contact Peachtree Camera in Georgia. They are a shop that i've used before and are generally less than Nikon.

That 500vr, is a nice lens, and not very old. Currently I have a 300 f2.8, but previously have had a 400mm 2.8 and a 600mm f4.

Are you sure the low whirring isn't the VR kicking in?

Sorry about your dad. That’s an awesome collection of glass he left you.

I would like to say it’s absolutely worth it but you need to get an estimate first. The Nikon repair facility is one option but since you’re near DC you should see if there are independent repair facilities to service the Washington press corp and the area pro sports photographers. We have one locally that I would use over the factory service. I’ve been in his shop and I’m amazed how pros can trash their equipment. Mostly the sports news guys. Ask around and get a price for the lens. I wouldn’t spend any money on the bodies.

Sorry to hear about your dad! RIP.

D200 and D300 are good cameras. A little outdated as to the newest tech but plenty good for taking great pictures. I just passed my D200 down to my son. Good glass = good photos. Don't know what those lenses are worth on today's market off the top but I'd bet they are well worth having cleaned up and repaired as needed. The 500mm f/4 is still an expensive lens, new or used.

Also, if you want a good book on the D300, I recommend Darrell Young's Book "Mastering the D300". Lots of useful information on settings and operation in there and a lot carries backwards to the D200. Rocky Nook Publishers published it.

Check on www.Nikonians.org forum (free to sign up). Search for repair places, may even be a complete forum devoted to that subject, can't recall. Nikon isn't the only game in town and many complain about their slow service.

Sorry about your dad.

That's some very nice glass. I would definitely get it repaired.

You can call and describe the issue and they can sometimes give you an estimate. Sorry, this isn't at Nikon and I can't remember the name of the repair facility I called before. Even if it's a few hundred dollars, which it likely will be, it's worth repairing. FWIW I've used Nikon before for repairs and was happy but there are other authorized repair centers out there you can talk to.

Where are you in Maryland? I know a shop in Reisterstown that will at least give you an estimate for a reasonable fee ($50 last time I took a lens to them - credited toward any repair, of course).

-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
Where are you in Maryland? I know a shop in Reisterstown that will at least give you an estimate for a reasonable fee ($50 last time I took a lens to them - credited toward any repair, of course).

-Rob

Rob, I am just north of you in Millersville.

I appreciate all of the replies. I hadn’t even considered an independent shop but it seems like the way to go.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Suppressed,

I didn't stay in a HI express, but I have broken a number of things Nikon and the service center has been very good for me. Yes they generally have to see it, but shipping is not very much. Mostly the 500 would be worth the effort.

quote:

Originally posted by Suppressed:

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:
Where are you in Maryland? I know a shop in Reisterstown that will at least give you an estimate for a reasonable fee ($50 last time I took a lens to them - credited toward any repair, of course).

-Rob

Rob, I am just north of you in Millersville.

I appreciate all of the replies. I hadn’t even considered an independent shop but it seems like the way to go.

Yep.

Baltimore Photo-Electronic Services
1726 Reisterstown Road, #107
(410) 484-2345

More like Pikesville vs Reisterstown, but same difference - right off the beltway.

I know I have AA Co. in my profile, but how do you know you’re north of me in Millersville? We must know each other. Or maybe it’s time to break out the tin foil. LOL.

-Rob

Thanks Rob! If one lives in the area, it’s not hard to figure out a general area from your posts over the years.

You can also try Precision Camera and Video repair.

Unless the lens is in really bad shape, I think it is worth repairing. That is very good glass.

I could use a lens like that for my bird photography, but other than that, it would just sit there collecting dust...and mold Most people don't need or even want a lens like that, so if you aren't going to be using it, I think the best thing would be to just have it cleaned locally and then sell it as-is.

Sorry for your loss.