Nikon Z6 camera repair attempt contemplation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: ArcSin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 01:29:26 am
content: Hello!I am in a bit of a dilemma about attempting to fix a camera. So, some background first...I like to tinker and am fairly comfortable opening and poking inside complex device. I know how to find obvious faults. Most of my electronic fault finding knowhow is basically looking for shorts, hotspots with thermal camera and I have even fixed my HP Pavilion 23xi's bad firmware chip by cloning it to something that wont die with heat. I am not intimidated by complexity and have patience and free time to learn.The camera, Nikon Z6, was damaged due to poor self servicing (the irony is not lost on me), and the current owner claims that SMD component got knocked off during the service. As result, it is now inoperable. Price is 200e, not unreasonable for spare parts donor. When I asked more specifics, the response was:After servicing attempt, the camera attempted to start, even had a picture in both, search and main screen, and after short while, turned itself off. (not sure if it will attempt to restart then turn off every time it being started, I am asking this now and will update).When I asked, what component got knocked off, seller gave me picture (attachment), tho he said he is not 100% it was that exact component, may be next over...He also gave me the quote from repair shop, when he sent the camera for repairs. He was quoted (800+e) for new main board, associated work andinitialization of the new board with some factory software. Also, it was told that the new board must be "initialized" with factory software. This worries me most, replacement boards for Z6 hover around 200 to 300 euros, so even if I get camera technically 'operational' by swapping the board for new if I fail to mend the old, I might still get 'appled' by some serial shenanigans. Thus necessitating me to fork over cash to some ...tech personto plug in USB, push two buttons and separate me from my legal tender.Any advice, personal anecdote or opinion is appreciated! Have anyone else ever dealt with something similar?What are the odds, that the board can be salvaged? And assuming board is revived, what are the odds the software will be in order? And if all is lost, will replacing the faulty board with new one set me back more than just getting functional used one for ~600 euros? I don't mind going bit over that, saving camera from trash bin or parts donor fate gives me satisfaction, but if the fix is indeed more expensive or the camera has anti-repair 'Apple' things, then is the hassle worth it?

author: Simmed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 01:35:47 am
content: first glancelooks like a smd film cap

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 03:08:55 am
content: If you can get a working used one for 600e then 200e for a broken one that has been tampered with is not worth the risk. That's my opinion.This is not a classic or rare or special camera that ought to be saved.The factory software is perhaps calibration of the sensor data and internal filter and lens characteristics. Just as a guess.Give this one a miss. Offer a 100 if you really want too. Don't die wondering is my motto.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 09:34:33 am
content: Quote from: ArcSin on March 02, 2025, 01:29:26 amThat is admirable, but there is something else you need: replacement parts.While I enjoy photography, I'm bad at it. Truth be told, I've probably spent more time repairing cameras than actually using them. I stick to a few select models, used to do Nikon D750 but then switched to D3 and D4. Those models are old enough that badly broken examples can be had relatively cheap (for parts or repair) while repaired items still have some reasonable value to them if sold. Nikon service wil be almost zero help in providing parts and information (aliexpress will be more help) - so assume you're on your own with a Z6 repair. Also, there is very little crossover of parts between models, even between different generations of the same model. Even for simple screws, Nikon must have literally thousands of different parts. Absolutely no standardisation whatsoever, to the point that I believe it's a deliberate engineering tactic to hinder repairs. So, to repair a Z6 you may well need a small collection of broken ones.The fun part (for me) is the challenge of the disassembly and reassembly. You need to be patient and methodical. Take pictures as you go. Store parts in small ordered trays for each step, so you work backwards through the tray in reassembly. If you don't like large jigsaws or sudoku puzzles, camera repair may not be the hobby for you.You may get lucky and find that you can implement a repair without parts from another Z6. But purchase a broken one as though its unrepairable, a donor for the next repair (of the exact same model).

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 11:11:31 am
content: I wouldn't trust those seller guesses. "Working when removed" is a classic eBay phrase for not working. There is very little board-level information. It could be ESD damaged beyond repair or maybe just a poorly connected FFC.As for prices, Robertscamera (USA) is a large and fairly reliable used camera dealer. (I got a working D70S version for microscopy from it.) Its Z6 prices are about $560 USD asking for cleaned and working. 200€ for parts only seems quite a bit high.

author: ArcSin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2025, 11:01:36 am
content: Thank you everyone for your replies.So far I have refrained from purchasing it. Maybe if I get a chance to haggle it down to 100e I will bite the bullet, but for now I wait and see.I got more information out of the seller, and the camera don't turn on after the the first time it turned on, then tuned off after first service attempt.This tells me two things. It worked, but the lack of the component caused something else to experience fault. I have no idea what the possible failure mode would be, does anyone with more experience have a clue?Future more, he told me he tried to guestimate what the component was and solder in few resistors... yeah I know...So, the worst case scenario, and probably the most likely scenario, is that the mobo needs to be swapped.I am currently eyeing this site:https://www.sunsky-online.com/p/EDA005697805.htmBut I have very little experience buying from third party sites, what are the odds that this part works as advertised and i could bring the camera to life?

author: Haenk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2025, 11:11:43 am
content: Quote from: ArcSin on March 06, 2025, 11:01:36 amSo it basically worked. A decade ago.Honestly - stay away as far as you could. Dishonest sellers selling you scrap is a pain with some sellers, and it might be hard to get your money back. It really is a better idea to cough up a bit more money and buy a *working* unit, preferably from a dealer. Or buy local with in-person inspection.