ANNUAL SERVICE FOR THE NIKONOS V

I AM TAKING NIKONOS V's FOR ANNUAL SERVICE AT THIS TIME
NO REPAIRS, ANNUAL O-RING SERVICE ONLY
WILL KEEP DOING UNTIL PARTS RUN OUT

The Nikonos V, like the rest of your dive gear, requires periodic service. There are 17 o-rings in the N5 body, of which you can service 4. The o-rings are of a soft duro or hardness that allows them to make a positive seal at low pressures versus the ones in your scuba gear that are harder and work at pressures from 140 to 3500 psi. These camera o-rings age and form a "memory" of the shape of the gland in which they reside. When this happens, a less efficient seal occurs and the risk of a leak rises. Also, contaminants, especially salt, harden in the gland and form valleys in which seawater may enter.

To avoid an expensive camera flooding, perform routine rinsing and maintenance to the user o-rings in the camera every time you change film. Have the camera services periodically by a qualified Nikonos repair shop. I recommend an interval of no more than 18 months.

Care and use of the Nikonos camera is included in the PADI Photography Specialty taught at the Brass Anchor.

I have over 10 years experience servicing the Nikonos IV and V. I replace all the o-rings in the body plus any lens, strobe or sync cord included. Battery is tested or replaced. Ambient and sync exposures are checked/adjusted using a Sekonic exposure meter. Camera is cleaned and shutter and actuator mechanisms are tested, and lubricated. Body is pressure tested. Typical cost for a body annual is $60 labor and $45 parts. Return insured shipping is about $15. Send  with return address, name, phone number, and credit card # with expiration to:

Brass Anchor Scuba Center
519 E Church St
Frederick, MD 21701

Camera will be returned via insured UPS within 3weeks of receipt.

Note: Nikonos no longer has unique parts for the Nikonos II, III, and IV. All of the o-rings in the IV are the same as the V except for the camera back, which can no longer be replaced. N IV shutter and actuator are the same as the V, but electronics are not available.

REMEMBER:

• Do a final check for o-rings and caps in place before entering water.
• Rinse for 30 minutes in distilled or fresh water after use in salt water.
• Do not let camera dry with salt contamination. Cover with damp towel if rinse is not available.
• Service user o-rings every time film is changed in a clean and dry environment. Be meticulous about lint.
• Have camera serviced periodically (every 18 months) just as you would have your dive gear serviced annually.
• Remove lens, battery and port covers when in storage to keep o-rings from getting memory.
• Avoid entering water with camera if doing a giant stride. Have divemaster hand it to you.

FLOODS
Should the unspeakable happen, a flood is almost always fatal unless immediate first aid is taken. Before you take the following extreme measures, be sure you have REALLY flooded the body with salt water.

• Remove the battery from the body.
• Disconnect lens, sync cord, tray
• Rewind and remove film
• Rinse in fresh water (assuming a salt water flood)
• Rinse in distilled water in a tray or bag just big enough for the body, using the whole gallon
• Do not try to actuate the shutter or advance as this will destroy the shutter
• Dry in sun or warm oven with door open for up to 10 hours
• Ship over-night for flood service

Flood recovery is about $300 labor plus parts.

Other dive gear tips