Anyone invoked the Lemon Clause?

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

04/18/2012 09:23:04 PM · #1

Hey all

Well, as anticipated, my D90 failed for the third time today. So, according to the store I bought it from, I can now invoke the Lemon Clause (three strikes and you're out). First time the D90 failed was last October. Then in late February. Then today. Each time it's the same: I'm shooting RAW bursts at high speed and the shutter freezes, if you get any frames they're all black. And no changing batteries/cards/lenses doesn't do a damn thing, except maybe buy you a little time if you're lucky.

So 2x already I've sent it in as it was flashing the fatal Error message meaning that it's a mechanical failure...so don't ask me why, both times before, they sent it back and mentioned in the docket each time that they addressed electrical failures. Last time they even did a firmware upgrade. Oooh so not impressed.

Now, why this thread? Well, as the manager of the store told me last time on its 2nd trip back from Nikon Mississauga, that if it failed a third time in the same manner, the camera is officially a lemon and I can get a brand-spankin-new D90.

However, I am now starting to outshoot the D90 and am tempted to go with a D7000. The D90 is now redundant, and I don't want to feel like I am stalling out.

So wondering if I should:

a) keep the D90 as a backup;
b) get a brand-new D90 and basically flip it, have some $$ to put down on a D7000, probably $700 on a $1500 body;
c) ask dealership/Nikon Canada to just give me the equivalent value of what a new D90 is now worth but applied to a D7000, and I'll pay off the remaining balance.

Thoughts? Recommendations? All welcome.

RyanW

Nikon D7000

04/19/2012 12:21:59 AM · #2

Reimbursement towards D7000 may not be possible, you may need to take the D90 as per warranty for legal reasons.
If you feel you're outgrowing the D90, then yeah, i'd say try for the D7000.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

04/19/2012 12:31:13 AM · #3

If there is any way you can get a D7000, you should go for it. Probably the best route is to get the D90 back from repair, to sell and upgrade.
It's worth asking about the possibility of their being a Nikon Canada upgrade program though.
Your talent deserves the best camera you can get.

smardaz

04/19/2012 12:38:12 AM · #4

what about the d800?

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/19/2012 05:25:57 AM · #5

...or switch to a Canon. Considering you know 2 redheads (ok, one true redheads and one whitish ) you would have something to fall back on ...right?

Ray

daisydavid

Canon EOS-5DS R

04/19/2012 05:56:16 AM · #6

The D3200 ? //www.dpreview.com/news/2012/04/19/Nikon-D3200-with-WiFi-Option

Message edited by author 2012-04-19 05:57:34.

Leo

Apple iPhone Xr

04/19/2012 06:00:31 AM · #7

I'd get the D7000; option B.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

04/19/2012 06:29:36 AM · #8

Call Nikon customer service and talk to them.

My canon 40D had problems, and I sent it back in three different times. I had a wedding coming up, and I didn't know if I could trust it anymore, even though they were going to fix it again.

Long story short -- they replaced the whole shutter assembly on the 40D for free and they gave me a good discount on a new 7D. So I have the 7D and an almost new 40D as a backup.

Call Nikon -- tell them that you're extremely disappointed and thinking about switching to canon.

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

04/19/2012 09:15:08 AM · #9

Originally posted by smardaz:

what about the d800?

LOL I wish!!! But I'm not quite ready for full frame yet. And I just spent a ton of $$ on a newer car - the old beater was on the verge of starting to nickel and dime me to death. So car takes precedent over camera body.

@ Uncle Raymee...I do have a shoot today and you'll be glad to hear I have Red's 5D MkII and the 70-200 for backup in the event that the D90 does fail.

@ Wendy...sounds like the best option and the most sensible one, so long as they they tell Vistek that I am to get what I want as a result. I sure am not going to bother shipping it in again, only for them to *fix* it like they already have. Hell, the 2nd time I sent it in, I included a letter suggesting that they replace the shutter as it seemed to be more of a mechanical error than anything. But would they listen to me? Hell no....*sigh*

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

04/19/2012 09:26:07 AM · #10

I'll bet that if you had the new D90 shipped to your shop owner, he'd be glad to give you a deal on a D7000. I think that would be easier than having to sell the D90 yourself.

04/19/2012 09:34:39 AM · #11

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

I'll bet that if you had the new D90 shipped to your shop owner, he'd be glad to give you a deal on a D7000. I think that would be easier than having to sell the D90 yourself.

What I plan to do is call Nikon Canada first and see what they suggest. I assume it probably will be the above more or less anyway. We shall see...

Message edited by author 2012-04-19 09:36:23.

04/21/2012 07:16:54 AM · #12

Originally posted by vawendy:

...My canon 40D had problems, and I sent it back in three different times.

I can relate to that.

I sent my 5D MkII in for repairs a little over a year ago and they replaced the complete mirror box. A short while ago, the mirror fell out and I had to send it back for repair and suggested they fix it for free since I thought mirror box and falling mirror where somehow related.

They did NOT agree, and I ended up digesting a $250.00 dollar bill, shipping costs and insurance.

Oh, did I mention that just a few days ago they sent me a survey questionnaire to find out how pleased I was with their service.... I sure hope the person reading it was sitting down.

I had given consideration to purchasing a MKIII.... NOT ANYMORE.

Ray

04/21/2012 08:44:26 AM · #13

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Originally posted by vawendy:

...My canon 40D had problems, and I sent it back in three different times.

I can relate to that.

I sent my 5D MkII in for repairs a little over a year ago and they replaced the complete mirror box. A short while ago, the mirror fell out and I had to send it back for repair and suggested they fix it for free since I thought mirror box and falling mirror where somehow related.

They did NOT agree, and I ended up digesting a $250.00 dollar bill, shipping costs and insurance.

Oh, did I mention that just a few days ago they sent me a survey questionnaire to find out how pleased I was with their service.... I sure hope the person reading it was sitting down.

I had given consideration to purchasing a MKIII.... NOT ANYMORE.

Ray

Yeah, still a bit horrified that they actually charged you for the 2nd mirror box. Didn't they include any kind of warranty with the mirror box the first time it fell out? And seeing that you could pretty much open your own camera store with all the glass you got, you'd think Canon would be falling over themselves to please you. *sigh*

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

04/21/2012 10:23:47 AM · #14

Ray, you should check in to Canon's professional equipment services program. My nephew uses it, and it saves him a ton of cash. I can get the details if you can't find it.

04/21/2012 01:52:11 PM · #15

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Ray, you should check in to Canon's professional equipment services program. My nephew uses it, and it saves him a ton of cash. I can get the details if you can't find it.

I seem to recall that someone already checked into that, perhaps

Bear_Music... and there was a proviso that one had to be a "Professional"... and that ain't me for sure.

Ray

04/21/2012 01:56:34 PM · #16

Originally posted by snaffles:

Sadly the second repair makes no mention of the mirror box and the first mirror box repair was apparently past the warranty period.

Regarding the glass, trust me I did mention that I had a few lenses of theirs and some 6 cameras that I have acquired since joining DPC...It didn't move them one Iota.

Did you know that you can't even register your glass in Canada, something which I do believe is available to our friends in the USA.

Anyways, their loss at present since I WILL NOT be purchasing anything from them in the near future, nor will I be recommending them to any potential purchaser.

Ray

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

04/22/2012 09:04:14 AM · #17

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Ray, you should check in to Canon's professional equipment services program. My nephew uses it, and it saves him a ton of cash. I can get the details if you can't find it.

I know Ryan's looked into joining that program and believe it can be done even if you are Canadian. You have to have something like at least 3 L-series lenses, 2 ff cameras and be registered as a business, which he is, as MagnumPhotography. You can PM him if you like.

Maybe I can swing by in my new beater and take you for a spin to cheer you up - howzabout passing 18-wheelers on the 416 at 140k tickle your fancy? ;-)

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

04/22/2012 09:12:02 AM · #18

Originally posted by snaffles:

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
Ray, you should check in to Canon's professional equipment services program. My nephew uses it, and it saves him a ton of cash. I can get the details if you can't find it.

I know Ryan's looked into joining that program and believe it can be done even if you are Canadian. You have to have something like at least 3 L-series lenses, 2 ff cameras and be registered as a business, which he is, as MagnumPhotography. You can PM him if you like.

Maybe I can swing by in my new beater and take you for a spin to cheer you up - howzabout passing 18-wheelers on the 416 at 140k tickle your fancy? ;-)

+1 to canon professional services.

They don't have to be L series -- I believe the 100mm macro and the 10-22 also count. I only have one L series lens, and I'm in it. Though you do have to have multiple bodies

04/22/2012 11:41:04 AM · #19

Originally posted by snaffles:

...Maybe I can swing by in my new beater and take you for a spin to cheer you up - howzabout passing 18-wheelers on the 416 at 140k tickle your fancy? ;-)

...do you always drive that slow? :O)

Ray