$400 for a sensor cleaning? That's unbelievable. You should learn the Copperhill method and do it yourself. Wow.

iris chrome said:

Btw, did you figure out if there was actually any parts (sensor, low-pass filter...) replaced? Or was it just a more intensive cleaning?

LoveTheBerry said:
When I called them the last time,..they said the camera was still in Q&A testing,..then 10 minutes later,...the UPS man was knocking on the door with my camera. They have no idea what stage the camera is in and will tell you anything that you want to hear.

You just got it wrong. You see, UPS is actually the Q&A contractor for Nikon. They place your camera in a box, toss it around between their employees and then see in how many pieces your camera arrives. This is my theory and I'm sticking to it. It also explains the $13 Nikon is charging you to ship back the camera :p

Btw, did you figure out if there was actually any parts (sensor, low-pass filter...) replaced? Or was it just a more intensive cleaning?

I am glad they got it back to you in working order. THAT is the important thing.

Well,...this should be my last post about Nikon Repair & Customer Service:

I did receive my camera back on Friday. Looks great and works like a charm. Down at the Outer Banks taking pics this week.

Nikon did charge me the estimate for a Level B2 Cleaning. Yes, approx $400 for a cleaning. What irritates me the worst is that when I had spoken to them twice,..they informed me that they were replacing some parts. When I called them the last time,..they said the camera was still in Q&A testing,..then 10 minutes later,...the UPS man was knocking on the door with my camera. They have no idea what stage the camera is in and will tell you anything that you want to hear. Bottom line,...they did a great job cleaning the sensor and the pics look great. But at $400? Crazy.

I did get a email for a Nikon Customer Service Survey,...great timing. The truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Bad/horrible customer service, great repair work.

LoveTheBerry said:
Dutch,..the camera is in their possesion currently.

Ah, youre back,

Yesss OK, but the tension is rising, can't wait to read what's going on ... :-O

And still : This is a Rumours site, is'nt it :-) , so stories growe in each possible direction :-P

So Keep us posted, and mak it a good story .. :-) ...

Dutch,..the camera is in their possesion currently.

DutchNikon said:
NikoDoby,

I fully agree, then the $400 would make sence, becausse the cost is in the labour, and a rplacement of a low-pass filter involves full dissassembly.. ( seen the repair manual of some Nigkon Digitals...).

Still not sure what exactly they are doing. I am still getting the update "in shop" by Nikon. Their definition is that it is on the service bench and being processed.

B2 - Moderate Repair, Major parts being replaced.

Again,..I did use compressed air (mistake), but at a distance and not held upside down.

NikoDoby said:
How can they be charging you $400 if you haven't sent the camera in for repairs? If they have already done the repairs then what does your invoice say exactly?

The sensor in the D3s is not exposed. There is a vibrating low-pass filter over it. When you clean the "sensor" you aren't actually touching it. Whatever Berry did to it Nikon probably replaced the entire low-pass filter assembly. Or at least removed it all together to "clean" or fix it. So the sensor itself might not have actually been replaced.

NikoDoby,

I fully agree, then the $400 would make sence, becausse the cost is in the labour, and a rplacement of a low-pass filter involves full dissassembly.. ( seen the repair manual of some Nigkon Digitals...).

How can they be charging you $400 if you haven't sent the camera in for repairs? If they have already done the repairs then what does your invoice say exactly?

The sensor in the D3s is not exposed. There is a vibrating low-pass filter over it. When you clean the "sensor" you aren't actually touching it. Whatever Berry did to it Nikon probably replaced the entire low-pass filter assembly. Or at least removed it all together to "clean" or fix it. So the sensor itself might not have actually been replaced.

Yeah, I would avoid compressed air like the plague even if I had spots on the sensor.

Yes adamz I agree with you an FX sensor is really expensive I have heard well over a grand on multiple occasions from different people at least 5 people. Oh and Berry have at it with the feedback. I had a field day when I filled something similar for the B&H store after waiting 2 months for a package that never showed up. Makes you feel a little better :)

+1 shasta_doug, anyway if they are replacing the sensor it's a very small bill to pay

LoveTheBerry said:
I promise the sensor is not damaged. I have NEVER touched it with any object. It's just spots,...BTW,...received an email from Nikon asking to take a survey about their "customer service" department,.....can't wait.

I could see the sensor needing to be replaced if the compressed air can was used incorrectly.

My Theory: Since you used a new can of compressed air it was full. When you spray with some of these cans and don't have it mostly in an upright position, the compressed liquid comes out as well. This liquid will super cool (freeze) whatever you are spraying. This super cool liquid will "burn" whatever it touches. I imagine you laid the D3s on its back with the the mirror up and sensor exposed. Then you took the can, tipped it horizontal to get the spray spout into the the sensor area. Then you sprayed and sent out deep freezing liquid mixed with high pressure air. Sound plausible?
Next time, use a bulb sprayer like the rocket.

kanuck said:
So the total bill will be $400 for the sensor and $100 for shipping? Thats still high enough for a good used 70-300mm VR lens! Amazing. However, if the sensor really was damaged, then $400 is not bad for a FX replacement.

I promise the sensor is not damaged. I have NEVER touched it with any object. It's just spots,...BTW,...received an email from Nikon asking to take a survey about their "customer service" department,.....can't wait.

So the total bill will be $400 for the sensor and $100 for shipping? Thats still high enough for a good used 70-300mm VR lens! Amazing. However, if the sensor really was damaged, then $400 is not bad for a FX replacement.

NikoDoby said:
There is more to the story that you are not telling us Berry. There is no way Nikon charged you $400 to "clean" your sensor. Sounds more like they replaced something you broke?

And why did you first say they are charging $129 dollars for shipping but now you are complaining they are charging you $13?

Niko,
I called Nikon today. A VERY lathargic rep explained to me that they are replacing the sensor. I asked why,..he said,..."Ummm,..I gues it's broken". Yup,..that was the answer. I did explain that it only needed cleaning and is not broken. But,..since it has been in use under a year,...feel free to replace it under warranty and I faxed them my reciept.

As far as freight,..I had to pay to ship it back to Nikon. The local UPS store charged:
Ground Commercial $52.93
Service Options (insurance) $61.00
Fuel Surcharge $4.50
CMS Processing fee $.20

The Nikon quote says only $12.50 to ship it back to me. I guess they don't insure it?

This totals $110.63

NikoDoby said:
There is more to the story that you are not telling us Berry. There is no way Nikon charged you $400 to "clean" your sensor. Sounds more like they replaced something you broke?

And why did you first say they are charging $129 dollars for shipping but now you are complaining they are charging you $13?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm interesting

There is more to the story that you are not telling us Berry. There is no way Nikon charged you $400 to "clean" your sensor. Sounds more like they replaced something you broke?

And why did you first say they are charging $129 dollars for shipping but now you are complaining they are charging you $13?

My god thats a terrible price. Warrenties are supposed to cover the cost of sensor cleaning I thought? You should just be stuck with the awful bill for shipping. I get my sensors cleaned for free on my D700 and the service center is 15 minutes from my house here in Seoul. To be honest I thought the warrenty expired by now but I just keep getting it done so I don't say anything :) Usually once every month now since December 2009.

Lovetheberry will you go through with this or find a local shop to do it? Seeing as how its just maintanence I'd just go to a shop nearby your residence. Use Nikon for motor damage or lens F mount damage etc.

casperwb said:

most of us regular people just need to clean the filter, not the sensor.

cleaning the sensor is a lot more involved, probally had to scrap half of the camera to get at it.

OK , my wrong, but cleaning the filter with a schwab is standard procedure for many photographers on digital ...

So i'll refrase that ; Did you try to clean the FILTER in front of the sensor with a Schwab moistened with cleaner ?
I gues , from your other replies : no ? ...

Ok , got that one straightened out...

Then still for $129 you can send stuff from Canada to China, then to new Sealand, and all the way back, unless you use a "personal courier" , i guess...

For $400,- Nikon may have replaced your mirror ( which is next to impossible to clean without danage...) but i guess you should have got a specification for the repair then ....

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=melville+ny+sightseeing#q=melville+ny+sightseeing&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=ivnscm&source=univ&tbm=plcs&tbo=u&ei=D3jrTfbuH4fZgAfOoJTiCQ&sa=X&oi=local_group&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CFoQtwMwAA&fp=c5600acc32af3b9&biw=1214&bih=679

:D

BTW,...what's in Melville, NY?

iris chrome said:
Just and idea, but at $129 for shipping, wouldn't it be cheaper or about the same price if you actually flew to the nearest Nikon service center to hand over your camera personally? At least then, you can do some sight seeing too :D

We have an "Authorized" service center for Nikon (CoolPix) in my town and a really good locally owned photo shop,..but a sensor is not something to mess with unless you really know what you are doing. Not taking a chance on a $5500 camera body. BTW,..they are only charging me $13 S&H. Explain that? Shipping back un-insured?

All complaining aside,..I love Nikon,..happy they provide great service,...and happy to own their flagship camera. Lesson learned here.

Just and idea, but at $129 for shipping, wouldn't it be cheaper or about the same price if you actually flew to the nearest Nikon service center to hand over your camera personally? At least then, you can do some sight seeing too :D