On earlier productions of the *Nikon N90s camera, the rubberized coating on the film door will come off – sooner or later. For me, it was later. I don’t use it as often as a professional, so it saw much less use comparably speaking. (FYI: I purchased the camera in late 1994, but didn't notice the problem until early 2008).
The initial stage of this breakdown can be seen – or better yet, felt – as it turns into a glue-like substance that is notoriously sticky. So sticky, that I had to put tape on the film door in order to use it. I didn’t want this sticky substance getting transferred to other parts of the camera, esp. the lens - I'm quite sure this substance would have ruined the lens should it have gotten on it.
After searching the internet via the Google search engine, I found several older articles (although I found none from Nikon) that explained the same problem I was experiencing. One article indicated that Nikon was sending out new backs to anyone who was experiencing this problem with the N90s film door - but provided no specific directions for how to do this. At this point in time (2008), I began wondering whether Nikon was still honoring the sending out of new backs.
I went on Nikon’s web-page and called their Service and Repair Support number (1-800-645-6678). http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=238&p_created=1031157067
The representative had me create a Nikon user account and I logged the problem through their on-line support interface. Initially, the representative had no knowledge of this problem and directed that I follow the standard procedure in order to have the film door sent to them. He explained that if it turned out to be their problem, it wouldn’t cost me anything.
Then, a short while later, he e-mailed me back with this updated information:
“If you have a Nikon N90 or N90s with a peeling back, you can contact our Nikon Parts dept. at (310) 414-8107. They are available from 7am to 3pm Pacific time on weekdays. If you have the data-back version for the N90 or N90s it will have to come to our Nikon service facility because parts would have to be taken out of it and installed onto a new back.”
Since I didn’t have the data-back version, I called the California number and spoke with a technical representative (Tony). He explained that they didn’t have any film doors for the N90s in-house and would have to order it from Japan. It eventually arrived (approximately 4 weeks later) at no charge to me!
The only thing left to do, was to remove the film pressure plate from the old film door and attach it to the new one - something I've never done. The technical representative tried to explain to me over the phone what do to, but I would have liked to have seen pictures with an explanation. I didn't find anything on the Interent to do this procedure. So, I wrote one myself for your benefit. Please reference: Nikon N90s - Detaching and Re-attaching Film Press...
*Note: The defect in this coating in no way is representative of the quality of the rest of this fine camera. I have taken beautiful pictures (as so many others have) with the Nikon N90s camera and although digital cameras seem to be replacing film camers, this camera takes excellent quality film pictures!
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