Reputable camera repair shops?

Hey all, this is my first time posting somewhere besides the Best Gen section.

My beloved Nikon F4 is developing an issue where the mechanism that operates the movement of the mirror has become gummed up with age and lack of use. The mirror will only move for half it's travel and it leaves you with half exposed photos like this:


The F4 is an ungodly complex camera and while I can fix a lot of things, disassembling this camera is far out of my comfort zone. Does anyone have a trusted, experienced, reputable camera repair shop that they can recommend? I'm in the Chicago area but I'd be willing to ship it somewhere if they're trustworthy.

I love this camera a lot and I've taken it all over the world. Although it would likely be cheaper to buy another one, I can't bring myself to get rid of this thing.

Thanks.

 

Send it back to Nikon.

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/Service-And-Support/Service-And-Repair.page#service

 

https://repair.nikonusa.com/en/Prod...*MTcwNzQyNDYyMy4xLjAuMTcwNzQyNDYyOS41NC4wLjA.

 

@Retired...finally might have a recommendation. He will likely reply here tomorrow morning.

 

I’ve only had my F4 for 7 years or so, but it’s been really the only camera I’ve used since I got it. It goes with me nearly everywhere, I’ve shot probably 100+ rolls with it in the time I’ve had it.

Didn’t think of that. Definitely going to give that a shot.

 

Darned good advice here. Always had best luck sending optical equipment to the manufacturer.

 

Well, I think it’s done.

After a lot of searching I found a couple of camera repair shops that work on F4s. Both got back to me with estimates of $400+. I asked them what they thought about sending it back to Nikon, and they both said that they’d probably charge me a fortune.

Considering even a very nice example like mine is worth $250, it’s just not worth it. I decided to make a risky attempt at getting it to work myself and I applied a small amount of thin oil to the mirror mechanism. However it seems that just a few drops were too much, as things now move even slower than they did before.

I ordered another body that’s in great shape but missing the battery pack and viewfinder, I’ll use the ones from my current camera.

I’m sad that my (previously) trusty F4 is done and I’m disappointed that it wasn’t able to be fixed but it’s parts will live on in the new one. Thank you all for your help!

 

Dealing with repairs and adjustments on vintage film cameras can be very frustrating, many of the old hands that were experts on these types of cameras have retired or no longer in business since the digital age has taken over. I have a few Canon professional cameras (F-1n, New F-1, T-90) that are in perfect operating condition but I went the digital route and they are in my old camera bag. I was somewhat of a gadgeteer (if there is such a word) and collected all kinds accessories for the two F-1s (speed finders, a variety of viewing screens, power winders, motor drives, etc.). My F-1n was in near perfect condition when I found it for sale in a small shop in Santa Rosa, California. I had an old beat up F-1 (still working fine but was previously owned by a press photographer). I traded it in, added $200.00 and took the near new F-1n home. I pull them out from time to time and marvel at the precision of the totally mechanical movements and how they work.

Dan

 

My old Canons: