So long Nikon - it's not your fault

Investing in a top-end camera is an expensive undertaking. But let’s be honest - Nikon is good kit. I’ve been a loyal supporter for 35 years. Because of the price of new cameras and lenses you can’t afford to replace them when things go wrong. You need to have it serviced. This is where you pick up problems. Premium Brands are the local distributers and “authorized” repair centre. I have heard many stories of Nikon Ambassadors leaving Nikon for other brands of cameras because of inferior service and support received from Premium Brands.

But I took my chances and sent them my camera to have the sensor cleaned. What could possibly go wrong? They have cleaned the sensor before and did a good job.

It arrived back with scratches on the sensor. I queried this and was told “When we received the camera we opened the Shutter on mirror lock up, inspected the sensor with a loupe noticed the marks and only did a blow with clean air. The camera was then returned in the same state.”

Here’s what really happened: the technician did a hack job. It looks like he ate a bunny chow for lunch on my sensor . Instead of taking responsibility for damaging the sensor it was easier to say that he received the camera with scratches on the sensor.

The camera is useless and can be written off.

Am I ever going to invest in Nikon again? No. It makes no sense as sooner or later I will run the risk of someone at Premium Brands destroying my investment.

Fellow photographers - if you own a Nikon and live in South Africa: you have been warned.

So long Nikon. It’s time to part ways. Thank you for the memories and the great images we created together. Please understand that it’s not your fault - it’s the inferior service from Premium Brands.