Worth repairing SB600?

[Shizelbs]

I have a dead 600 flash unit. Not sure what went wrong with it. No battery corrosion like the other recent thread. It appears there is some black leaked substance within the flash head. Anyways, is it going to be cost effective to get it repaired? If so, anyone have any shop in specific they like to recommend?

 

[DCDre]

Not sure if it's the same problem as yours, I sent mine in for repair a few months ago. I dropped it and it stopped working after that. Figured it only costs me shipping to get an estimate for repair. I sent it in to Nikon in Melville, NY.

For mine it was just a bit more than $100, I can look at a receipt at home to get an exact number. I decided that was cheaper than replacing the flash - I wanted CLS wireless capabilities and didn't want to downgrade to a SB-400. I went ahead and OK'ed the repair.

I didn't have any black substance in the flash head though.

Hope that helps.

 

[Shizelbs]

Yes, it does help some.

 

[WayneF]

You can send it to Nikon for a free quote without obligation. I suppose it would cost shipping both ways. They are in CA and in NY.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-And-Repair.page

Repair seems much less expensive than replacing it, and will be good as new.

 

[Shizelbs]

Thanks for the link Wayne. Going that route.

 

[Shizelbs]

Black substance? That sounds like a burnt out capacitor or melted plastic, which means heat. Opening it up would define the source of the substance rather quickly.

If it is a capacitor burn, replacing it with an exact copy would be sufficient, if your soldering skills are up to it.

Whats a soldering skill? :smile:

 

[Nik Li]

I would send it in. However, Nikon SB-600 is discontinued. Soon, you'll likely be able to get it new at the price of the repair work. Just a thought...

 

[madecov]

If you are in the US Best Buy sells the 600 at about 220.00
and you can still find them in the stores. Decide what your maximum repair bill would be before replacement. If it is under that amount have it repaired. If the repair is close to replacement cost just go ahead and get a new one with warranty.

 

[WayneF]

I would send it in. However, Nikon SB-600 is discontinued. Soon, you'll likely be able to get it new at the price of the repair work. Just a thought...

That's wishful thinking... I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that. :smile: The SB-700 replacement costs another $100. Same deal as the SB-800. Used SB-600 will be selling for their new price. Some on Ebay now for even higher.


New, but $50 over original retail price

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Nikon-SB-60...pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item2a0ec7bfdb

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-SB-600-SB...pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item230df7a8f0



Used, right at new price, and the bidding is not over yet

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-SB-600-Sp...35663273?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2a0eb97ba9

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-SB-600-Sp...pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item2eb3c33751

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Speedligh...pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item415763f454

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-Speedligh...pt=Digital_Camera_Flashes&hash=item3365ad021c

 

[Joves]

Yeah it sounds like you have a blown capacitor, they will leak at times. Looking at Waynes links I was amazed. If it is too expensive to repair then my suggestion would be to look at KEH and see if they will take it in trade as is and get one of their used ones. The do repairs as well so if Nikon is too high ask them.

 

[Shizelbs]

Sent in. Now we wait.

 

[Shizelbs]

Quote doesn't specify the exact problem. Cost of repair $97. Probably will go for it. Any words of caution?

 

[WayneF]

If it were mine, I would think that's a lot less cost than any worthwhile replacement. My experience with Nikon is that it will be like new, and you will be happy. What is to question? Even if you desire some other model, this one will become sellable, for about double that much.

 

[Shizelbs]

My thoughts exactly, but I'm moving quick on this one. Not sure if I was overlooking something.

 

[DCDre]

Quote doesn't specify the exact problem. Cost of repair $97. Probably will go for it. Any words of caution?

That sounds exactly like mine when I had mine repaired. Just a generic problem description and a price.

If it were mine, I would think that's a lot less cost than any worthwhile replacement. My experience with Nikon is that it will be like new, and you will be happy. What is to question? Even if you desire some other model, this one will become sellable, for about double that much.

That was my conclusion as well, I went ahead and had the flash repaired. It's been working great since, though I have been quite careful with it to make sure it's not dropped or jolted or anything like that.

 

[e_No]

I'll add my voice to those saying "Yes". I've one of my SB-600s repaired by Nikon on 2 occasions, and beyond the inconvenience of shipping and waiting, for roughly 1/2 the price of a new (or even used) unit, you essentially get a brand new flash back. Remember that Nikon's policy is to return the unit to full spec compliance. On my 2nd repair (a redo of the first), they replaced just about every electronic component inside the unit. The downside is that I had to wait for over 3 weeks due to parts needing to be shipped from Japan... which brings me to point out that if such a scenario occurred to you now, you might have to wait for quite some time.