Shipping Df to Nikon - how?

[RobOK]

I need my DF cleaned and adjusted and even though I am a long time Nikon customer (D70, D300, Df) I have never interacted with support. I'm in the US. Do I call them first and then how do I package it up? Should I send it with a lens? Any other tips or lessons learned are appreciated. How long should I expect to wait?

Thanks,
Rob

[richardHaw]

take a picture of your items before you seal the box <- this is very handy just in case somebody tries to screw you later on

[Andrea B.]

Rob, go to nikonusa.com, then click Service & Support. There you will find a link to schedule a repair. You fill out a form, submit it and then you will get a shipping label and enclosure to print. After sending in your camera, you will be able to check the status of your service online. Nikon service in the US usually takes a while. 3 weeks maybe? You have to check in online to approve the proposed service after Nikon has looked at your camera to determine the service level.

[pluton]

Take a picture of the item(s) AND how they are packed.  Use a good box, and bubble wrap is your friend.  Tape the bubble wrap to the camera so it can't vibrate free during transit.  I like to use the fastest shipping I can afford, so it spends the least time in transit.
Fully insure the shipment for the full replacement cost.

[Tristin]

Don't send it with a lens, just a body cap.  I'm pretty sure you don't need to include the memory card either.

[bjornthun]

Definitely remove the memory card. Make a list of and photographs of anything attached to the camera before you wrap it. I don't think you need to or even should include the battery either.

[Akira]

As precautionary measure, it is worth following these advices.

That said, it is also worth sending the lens you use the most along with the body, if you want to match a particular lens with your particular camera.  It is done on the firmware basis, not in the user-updatable fimware, but on the deeper level.  After the calibration, you are no more in need to fine-tune the AF from the camera menu.  I've done that several times and am very satisfied and pleased with the results.

[bjornthun]

Akira, as far as I know, Nikon doesn't let users update any lens firmware at all, strangely enough. Sigma lets you fine tune focus of compatible lenses in firmware yourself, even Nikon mount Sigma lenses, through a USB dock.

[Erik Lund]

Because there was so many AF issues with Sigma lenses,,,

[bjornthun]

AF operation is only one of several things that can be adressed in firmware updates. Fuji, Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, even Leica and Zeiss will let you update firmware as required.

Sigma will let you fine tune AF even without fw updating to newer versions on certain DSLR lenses.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

All Nikons have firmware updates the end user can download and install themselves, so I don't understand your comment.

[Andrea B.]

Akira is suggesting to send the most-used lens to be focus-calibrated to the body while the body is on the bench using the bench software. That type of lens-body calibration is not something which can be done with owner-applied firmware either for the lens or for the body. It can only be done on the bench.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The recalls of some Nikkors to update firmware at qualified facilities were done in this manner because the update required electronic components to be altered. Not something you want end users to tinker with.

[Akira]

Sorry to be unclear.

Akira is suggesting to send the most-used lens to be focus-calibrated to the body while the body is on the bench using the bench software. That type of lens-body calibration is not something which can be done with owner-applied firmware either for the lens or for the body. It can only be done on the bench.

I didn't know the term "bench software", but Andrea made it clear.  I'm well aware that the firmware of Nikon lenses cannot be updated on the user side.  But the calibration does make big difference.  I had my current D750 and AF-S 50/1.8G calibrated at the local Nikon service, and now even the "green dot" is very reliable, which is confirmed by using my Ai 20/4.0 and Nikkor-Q C 200/4.0.

Thanks, Andrea!

[bjornthun]

All Nikons have firmware updates the end user can download and install themselves, so I don't understand your comment.

I and Erik strolled off topic and were discussing lenses for a brief moment.