Nikon now provides access to parts and instructions that allow photographers to make repairs to their own products at home instead of needing to rely on the company's official service departments.
Canadian company Reveni Labs, known for its remarkably compact spot meter for analog photographers and recent automated film processing machine, has launched an affordable camera tester for repair technicians, store operators, resellers, and avid collectors.
While cleaning one of my camera sensors, I noticed my incredibly pocketable and convenient 12mm f/2.0 Olympus lens developed a fatal flaw. A rather large reflective fragment became dislodged inside the lens and was robbing me of precious photons. I couldn't fully clean the rear element with compressed air and a microfiber cloth, so I decided to dig a little deeper and disassemble the lens.
The right for consumers to repair their own devices rather than being chained to the whims of manufacturers has been a long battle, typically fought by the companies themselves. But now it’s Scientologists that are issuing protests.
Nikon has officially recognized that there is a problem with loose strap lugs on the Nikon Z8 camera and issued a service advisory for those affected along with the promise to repair the affected cameras at no cost to the photographer.
Canon has updated its web page that lists how long it intends to officially repair certain cameras, which can help used equipment buyers make more informed decisions. The 5D Mark III, for example, will expire in 2024 while the EOS R will be supported until 2029.
I had the Mamiya RB67 and Pentax 67 on my medium-format wanted list for many years now, but I simply could not justify the price tag or bear the unfortunate realization that either camera would sit lonely and unused on a shelf. That all changed in December 2022 when I decided to grab a non-working RB67 as a Christmas Present for my eldest brother.
Nikon has issued a "Technical Service Advisory" for the Nikon Z9 camera as some of the lens release buttons are not functioning correctly. Those affected can send their cameras to Nikon to have the issue fixed.
Konica Minolta's camera repair and customer service are being shut down, 17 years after the storied brand sold its last camera.
Samsung has launched the Galaxy devices self-repair program that it operates in conjunction with iFixit. Starting today, device owners can replace the screen, back glass, and charging ports for Galaxy S20 and S21 series phones as well as the Galaxy Tab S7+.
The New York state legislature has passed the Fair Repair Act, the first "right to repair" bill that requires all manufacturers who sell "digital electronic products" to make tools, parts, and instructions for repair available.
The Apple Self Repair Store gives tech-savvy Apple fans the tools, manuals, and parts to repair their own devices, but it may not be as helpful nor as cost-saving of a resource Right to Repair fans were hoping for.
Google has announced a partnership with iFixit to allow access to safe device repairs in the event that users' Pixel phones are damaged. The company joins Samsung which also recently announced a similar partnership.
A new report alleges Google's mail-in repair service for Pixel phones resulted in stolen photos and a hacked device for one woman. Google says it is investigating.
Apple has announced the Self Service Repair program which it says will allow customers who are comfortable with making their own repairs to access Apple genuine parts and tools.
I recently had a bad case of fungus in a Sony kit lens. The fungus was between the two outermost lenses that are assembled together in a glued plastic case.
After purchasing Takumar 55mm f/1.8 lens years ago, I started building my collection of vintage lenses, and because I don’t like spending a lot of money on them, I became a frequent visitor of thrift stores, flea markets, and online auction sites.
An unfortunate couple in Chicago learned how camera manufacturers treat what is known as "gray market" equipment when Nikon refused to service their P1000 camera. They were confused, as they didn't buy it from a shady, unknown site, but from Walmart: an authorized Nikon dealer.
In a colossal win for the Right to Repair movement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published a statement where it unanimously approved the prioritization of aggressive action against manufacturers who impose unfair repair restrictions on individuals and independent repair shops.
The Right to Repair movement has been the subject of vigorous grassroots advocacy work over the last several years and may finally see a major breakthrough as President Joe Biden is expected to ask the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to draft new regulations to help empower consumers.
A photographer is questioning Peak Design's messaging and recommendations for servicing its products thanks to an experience he had with the Peak Design Travel Tripod. After dropping it, he took issue with Peak's customer service. They told him he needed to replace it, but he shows it was repairable.
There are certain vintage lenses out there that are prone to have glass elements that yellow over time. If you have one of these lenses, you don't have to live with yellow-tinted results: here's a 3-minute video in which photographer Mathieu Stern shares a simple trick for restoring the lens.
Maximilian Heinrich of Analog Insights recently inherited an 85-year-old Leica camera and handed it off to his friend Jules for repair and restoration. This 15-minute video is about the camera's journey from nearly being passed on to a camera store to being brought back to form.
Photographer Juno Zhang recently picked up a brand new Hasselblad 907x 50c and XCD 45mm f/4 P lens (Total MSRP: $7,500), but after waiting for a month to receive her camera, she was dismayed by what she found once she set it up. The connection between the 907x body and the digital back is so bad that the slightest pressure leads to a misalignment and errors.
Fujifilm US has just announced the launch of Fujifilm Professional Services. Just like Canon's CPS and Nikon's NPS, Fujifilm's FPS is a service and repair program for qualifying professionals that gives them access to expedited repairs, loaner equipment and more.
As states around the country begin the process of re-opening after COVID lockdown, Nikon USA has officially re-opened its service facilities. Service centers are still closed for walk-in service, but if your camera needs fixing, you can now send it in by mail.
Less than 24 hours after Nikon USA announced the temporary closure of all repair service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canon USA has (mostly) followed suit by shutting down its service centers in New Jersey, California, Illinois and Hawaii "until further notice."
Nikon USA has announced the temporarily suspension of all equipment repair services due to the spread of COVID-19. The decision was made in compliance with federal guidelines, and in the interest of protecting employees' health and safety.
Nikon is shutting down its authorized repair program at the end of March, 2020. According to an email sent to authorized repair shops, and confirmed by Nikon Inc. (see update), Nikon users in the United States will soon have to rely exclusively on Nikon itself for any repairs that require special parts, tools, or training—that is: almost all repairs.
Photographer and YouTuber Mathieu Stern recently got to visit one of the coolest places on earth for camera collectors: The Camera Rescue Project, one of the largest vintage camera collections in Europe.