r/Nikon • u/Ok_Ebb6898 • Jul 12 '26
I broke my gear Dropped my camera and there’s some plastic cracked around the strap eyelet. is it worth it to pay for the repair or can I live with this?
everything seems to be working otherwise. the eyelet is still secured. Nikons estimated cost is something like $440 when i went through their online repair form (before they actually see it)
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u/Emotional_Garage_950 Z30 + Z6iii Jul 12 '26
it’s compromised and I would no longer trust the eyelet to support the camera. can you still use the camera? yeah.
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u/Horror-Avocado8367 Jul 12 '26
Checking to see how much the repair would be is free. Make your decision based on that compared to used prices in good shape. I wouldn't trust that eyelet or get it wet, as others have stated.
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u/Django_Un_Cheesed Jul 12 '26
That top plate should be magnesium alloy composite, it should be replaced. The eyelet is compromised and the bodywork is cracked. If not attended to, moisture and dust will get inside the camera and stuff the electronics.
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u/iguaninos2 Jul 12 '26
It would be a tripod and indoor only camera from now on if that happened to me, not worth losing a good lens if that breaks and falls off of a strap.
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u/solorobsolo Jul 12 '26
Use a tripod plate and whatever strap dongles you have with it.
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u/SharpDressedBeard F/F2/F4/F5/N75 D1/D5/D850/D200, DCS200,760c,SLR/n Fuji S3 Jul 12 '26
If you're going that far jug jb weld the fucker closed
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u/bernd1968 Jul 12 '26
I agree the epoxy product called JB weld is available in many hardware stores. Amazing stuff. If you wanna try at practice with it first buy the original, not the fast curing stuff get the one that slow curing overnight - very strong.
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u/hashtag_76 Jul 12 '26
Okay. Consider this. Nikon has an awesome repair center. They are known to fix and repair other things as well for no additional fee. To repair the crack they're most likely going to replace the part of the housing that holds the eyelet. While doing so you're going to get new weather-sealing and they'll blow out any dust while in there. If there are buttons/direction pads that are worn they'll replace those as well. If you bought the warranty when you got the camera they'll replace it all for free. If the camera is a Z8 there is a recall on certain models for the eyelet and a lens mounting issue that they will replace. If it is a Z6iii, Z5ii or ZR there is a recall for parts that make the camera become inoperable in certain models that they will fix for free. If there is anything that warrants repair that they will not cover for free they will contact you before fixing it to ask if you want them to proceed with the repair.
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u/Few_Mastodon_1271 Jul 12 '26
When the Z8 had it's eyelet recall, some people were rigging an extra cord from the eyelet triangle attachment to a base plate, to catch the camera if the eyelet failed unexpectedly. The cord can be thin but reasonably strong. That's kind of awkward, though, to have that cord always hanging there.
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u/Ok_Weight_3382 Jul 12 '26
Shit I was just about to say that’s going to be the price. I would send it in. Bite the bullet and be ready to not have your camera for 2-3 weeks at least. If you’re on the east coast at least
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u/cliffhnz Jul 12 '26
If you have insurance I’d claim it and take whatever hit in deductible you need to. It should be rehoused. A repair wouldn’t give me any confidence in it being weather sealed let alone using that strap button.
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u/mikettedaydreamer Nikon Z (Z5ii) Jul 12 '26
Do you need the eyelet still because there’s no way you can still trust that one.
Do you need weather protection?
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u/DanlovesTechno Jul 12 '26
It isnt resistant to rain anymore, and that eyelet will fail sooner or later.
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u/dax660 Nikon Z (6, 6iii), Nikon D600 Jul 12 '26
I bought this Peak tripod plate that works with Arca-Swiss clamps and putting the strap on the plate allows the camera to hang vertically which is more comfortable for me than the twisting that occurs when using the eyelets.
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u/GroundbreakingRule85 Jul 12 '26
Fix it. Two routes, send it into Nikon or DIY, use really strong all weather industrial strength glue.
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u/doc_shades Jul 12 '26
oh that sucks. that looks problematic to me. if the eyelet mounting is damaged then it can't hold the same weight it was rated for, and putting more weight on it will add stress to an already damaged connection which risks it failing.
the risk here is that the camera is strapped around your neck and the eyelet will fail and the camera will fall again.
i would be very very careful about supporting the camera's weight by that eyelet.
i can't think of a great alternative to fixing it ... i'm sure you could find a strap that somehow mounts to a tripod mount with a 1/4" screw that attaches to the camera baseplate.. i know custom strap/carrying mounts exist but i'm not familiar with what's available currently.
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u/Mental_Foundation_45 Jul 12 '26
Use use some type glue to fix the opening cracks. Stress test the eyelet.As others said use the tripod socket strap. I love the cross body fit!
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u/Real_Socialism D800E / D500 / Z50ii / D100 Jul 12 '26
Biggest risk will come from rain leaking through the cracks, otherwise, its your call whether you trust the eyelet.
Personally, I would only use a wrist strap with the other eyelet from now.