Cost of replacing VF glass

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

I accidentally scratch the viewfinder prism (the piece of glass just above the flip mirror and the focusing screen) when cleaning it. I know it does not affect the picture but the VF is afterall the main screen my eyes set on to set my picture during photography.

Any brother here has any information how much it costs to replace this VF prism glass in the NSC (for D2 bodies)? I know I can get the answer tomorrow when I called up but just can't get to sleep without trying it here in ClubSnap before I turned in. Thanks for any information.

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Wait.

Focusing screen or VF eyepiece? They're different leh.

If focusing screens, it depends on W, V, B, E type screens you're looking at.

If VF eyepiece, you can use DK-17 or DK-17A.

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

Sorry for the confusion. The bottom of the prism is scratched. How much does it cost to change the prism? I was searching through the archives. F80 prism change is $95. Would it be the same order of magnitude for the D2 body?

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

Sorry for the confusion. The bottom of the prism is scratched. How much does it cost to change the prism? I was searching through the archives. F80 prism change is $95. Would it be the same order of magnitude for the D2 body?

Prism IIRC is up the hundred region, mostly they will tell you to live with it than to spend that kind of costs.

But I might be wrong, after all I'm just a newbie

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

Will it be less than $200? Can TCW do the job?

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

Will it be less than $200? Can TCW do the job?

I don't recommend TCW, NSC would be better though I understand it's service might get some on their nerves.

I think it might be >$200. Don't quote me on it, I just think only.

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

Thanks. Nevertheless, will call up tomorrow and brace for the worst. The scratches are quite bad, IMO.

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

Thanks. Nevertheless, will call up tomorrow and brace for the worst. The scratches are quite bad, IMO.

Well, those parts are the delicate parts, if it's a focusing screen, getting a E-type for the D2 bodies will set you back by $40~50 already.

Cheer up.

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

Thanks. Just found out that the prism is ok. Sandwich between the prism and the focusing screen is another piece of glass with the 11 AF points marking on it. It is this piece of glass which I scratched with regrets. I hope this will bring down the cost of replacement. *Crossing fingers*

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

Thanks. Just found out that the prism is ok. Sandwich between the prism and the focusing screen is another piece of glass with the 11 AF points marking on it. It is this piece of glass which I scratched with regrets. I hope this will bring down the cost of replacement. *Crossing fingers*

I think you meant sandwiched between the prism and mirror? That's the focusing screen.

That one is cheap and easy to replace. You can purchase one from most shops. Which camera are you using? You can bring it down on wednesday to NUG, I can replace for you - provided you supply the new screen and the clipper

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

Thanks for the offer. It's not the focusing screen. It a piece of glass sandwiched between the prism and the focusing screen. How I tell this is because this piece of glass is sitting on two strips of foam, hence I deduce it is not the prism itself.

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

Thanks for the offer. It's not the focusing screen. It a piece of glass sandwiched between the prism and the focusing screen. How I tell this is because this piece of glass is sitting on two strips of foam, hence I deduce it is not the prism itself.

The part has the 11 AF points right? That should be the focusing screen itself already. You can replace the screens yourself.

The default with D2H/S/D2X should be B type. D2X comes with a V type also. You can purchase a E-type to use.

longkangman · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by _espn_

The default with D2H/S/D2X should be B type. D2X comes with a V type also. You can purchase a E-type to use.

Not cheap hor.

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by longkangman

Not cheap hor.

About $50+ for a screen lor.

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

I am sure it's not the focusing screen. The focusing screen is changeable and sits in a tray which pops down when detached from the hook. The glass which I talks about being scratched is smacked right above this focusing screen and underneath the prism. From the downside, I can notice 11 AF points. It is heavily scratched as I used lens tissue to wipe it. A sorry move, nevertheless, but one which I will remember not to do so in the future.

crazypaladin · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by longkangman

Not cheap hor.

I second that!

_espn_ · 16th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

I am sure it's not the focusing screen. The focusing screen is changeable and sits in a tray which pops down when detached from the hook. The glass which I talks about being scratched is smacked right above this focusing screen and underneath the prism. From the downside, I can notice 11 AF points. It is heavily scratched as I used lens tissue to wipe it. A sorry move, nevertheless, but one which I will remember not to do so in the future.

Ok then.. hope it doesn't cost too much

ernest_ted · 17th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

I am sure it's not the focusing screen. The focusing screen is changeable and sits in a tray which pops down when detached from the hook. The glass which I talks about being scratched is smacked right above this focusing screen and underneath the prism. From the downside, I can notice 11 AF points. It is heavily scratched as I used lens tissue to wipe it. A sorry move, nevertheless, but one which I will remember not to do so in the future.

goodluck man...

tts y u r crazypaladin

ipin · 17th July 2006

Originally Posted by crazypaladin

It is heavily scratched as I used lens tissue to wipe it. A sorry move, nevertheless, but one which I will remember not to do so in the future.

I'm curious to understand.....HOW did you heavily scratch it if you were using a lens tissue?

crazypaladin · 17th July 2006

Called up NSC. The total cost of changing the glass (they call it the I.F. glass, I guess it stands for internal focusing?) plus cleaning of the focusing screens plus labor charges is $155. Still considering...

16th July 2006	#1
crazypaladin Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore Central Posts: 748	Cost of replacing VF glass I accidentally scratch the viewfinder prism (the piece of glass just above the flip mirror and the focusing screen) when cleaning it. I know it does not affect the picture but the VF is afterall the main screen my eyes set on to set my picture during photography. Any brother here has any information how much it costs to replace this VF prism glass in the NSC (for D2 bodies)? I know I can get the answer tomorrow when I called up but just can't get to sleep without trying it here in ClubSnap before I turned in. Thanks for any information. Last edited by crazypaladin; 16th July 2006 at 09:50 PM.

16th July 2006	#2
_espn_ Deregistered Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Planet Nikon Posts: 3,553	Re: Cost of replacing VF glass Wait. Focusing screen or VF eyepiece? They're different leh. If focusing screens, it depends on W, V, B, E type screens you're looking at. If VF eyepiece, you can use DK-17 or DK-17A.

16th July 2006	#3
crazypaladin Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore Central Posts: 748	Re: Cost of replacing VF glass Sorry for the confusion. The bottom of the prism is scratched. How much does it cost to change the prism? I was searching through the archives. F80 prism change is $95. Would it be the same order of magnitude for the D2 body?

16th July 2006	#5
crazypaladin Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore Central Posts: 748	Re: Cost of replacing VF glass Will it be less than $200? Can TCW do the job?

16th July 2006	#7
crazypaladin Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore Central Posts: 748	Re: Cost of replacing VF glass Thanks. Nevertheless, will call up tomorrow and brace for the worst. The scratches are quite bad, IMO.

16th July 2006	#15
crazypaladin Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore Central Posts: 748	Re: Cost of replacing VF glass I am sure it's not the focusing screen. The focusing screen is changeable and sits in a tray which pops down when detached from the hook. The glass which I talks about being scratched is smacked right above this focusing screen and underneath the prism. From the downside, I can notice 11 AF points. It is heavily scratched as I used lens tissue to wipe it. A sorry move, nevertheless, but one which I will remember not to do so in the future.

17th July 2006	#20
crazypaladin Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore Central Posts: 748	Re: Cost of replacing VF glass Called up NSC. The total cost of changing the glass (they call it the I.F. glass, I guess it stands for internal focusing?) plus cleaning of the focusing screens plus labor charges is $155. Still considering...