Question/Opinions on dropped camera

buckre

Senior Member
Hello all, I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than me could give me some advice on my camera. I let my dad borrow my D7000 while he was on vacation and he accidentally dropped it. It landed lens first and broke it (18-70), or at least jammed it so that it doesn't function very smoothly. I haven't seen the camera yet and the only visible damage seems to be a scuff mark on the body. He would like to buy me another one and keep the one he dropped, partly because he has been toying with buying the same camera for over a year. I feel a little guilty allowing him to do so since the camera itself seems to be working okay.

My question is whether there could be some internal damage we are not yet aware of, or whether it would basically work or not work. If it is taking pictures which appear to be focused and the same image quality is there anything I should be concerned about, or should I tell him not to worry about it? We were considering sending it in to Nikon to have them take a look at it, but I don't want to go through the trouble if there isn't anything to worry about. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 

piperbarb

Senior Member
I'd run it through its paces. Take all sorts of photos and look at them critically. If everything seems to look okay, then you only lost a lens. If something isn't functioning just right, then you can send it in. I would be concerned about the lens mount, though, since it did fall right on the lens.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Id be worried about focus adjustments and lens alignment. Try using live view to photograph a flat surface and see if it's evenly focused.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Take the lens off and manually run it through its paces. Check mount for damage on camera especially contacts. If none try another lens and see how it operates. Most likely the lens will be damaged and any unnecessary use will cause metal particles to dislodge, you do not want them inside your camera!
 

buckre

Senior Member
Thanks for the responses everyone. Marcel, so I just click liveview and look at the screen to check for focus from corner to corner basically? Snap some shots and look for the same?

I'll take a close look at the lens and the body to look for any broken pieces that could be floating around. Sounds like if everything is functioning properly I shouldn't worry too much? Would any of you send it in anyway if it was yours or would you feel comfortable that if it was working today everything was fine? Thanks again, I really appreciate the help!
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Maybe pay a local reputable shop a few bucks to check it out. They could probably tell you what they commonly see (I'm sure your father is not the first to drop a camera) in the way of damage and what to check for... along with what everyone else has told you.
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Thanks for the responses everyone. Marcel, so I just click liveview and look at the screen to check for focus from corner to corner basically? Snap some shots and look for the same?

I'll take a close look at the lens and the body to look for any broken pieces that could be floating around. Sounds like if everything is functioning properly I shouldn't worry too much? Would any of you send it in anyway if it was yours or would you feel comfortable that if it was working today everything was fine? Thanks again, I really appreciate the help!


What you can't see is if the plate holding the lens got crooked when the lens hit the ground. This would not show from the outside. So, by taking a picture of a wall (but you have to make ABSOLUTELY sure that you are flat on) you'll then see if one side or corner is sharper than the other. You don't want to end up with a defective camera you won't be able to sell...

But if it does work OK, then I guess just live with it.
 

joe22

Senior Member
in my opinion get it checked out professionally! I dropped mine 2 days after buying it and although it appeared to work fine, I was never really happy until I knew for sure!
 
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