Angry Contax T owner.

[Adam Muir]

well , my Contax T has arrived. It will not focus at infinity through the viewfinder. Ghosting image lines up from about 1m to 4m but any further will not line up.no film shot yet.
I'm really pissed off. KEH said it was in EX condition, all you have to do is try to focus on anything distant to realise it is not !
I'm guessing this is not normal????
Shipping one way is about $30 US, so $60 back to them and $90 but the time I get it back again..???? and what else ???
I thought I would post here before I do anything else and see if you folks have any thoughts on this or advice.

I'm Sad.

 

[Trius]

I'm certain KEH will stand by the problem. Contact them politely. No organization is perfect, but KEH has a wonderful reputation, so I think you'll be fine.

But it still is a bummer.

 

[Adam Muir]

Thanks Trius, I have just emailed them and I was fairly polite, they do have a great reputation.
I'm very impatient I guess, have been waiting for over a week to get it and now it could be another few weeks before it is back with me and working.
Very bummer, I have really been looking forward to shooting with it.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

I bought one from KEH and had to return it too,
for a different problem.

The Contax T is a sturdy design for its size,
but after 20 years of regular use,
carried every day in someone's pocket or bag,
most are well worn.

Eventually I found a clean working one on the big
online auction site.
After purchase I had it CLA'ed by Metro Camera Repair,
Kyocera's recommended shop.

So mine turned out to be expensive, but worth every penny IMO.
My Kodachromes are gorgeous. And it fits in my pocket...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[Adam Muir]

mmm, it is a tough job to recalibrate RF.
you have to open the lens manually, also have to remove circut board to get to ajustment it seems ?
I have done it with my 6X9 RF, but that was easy in comparison.
still waiting to hear back from KEH about it.

 

[raid]

Adam: How much did you pay to KEH for this Contax T?

Raid

 

[Adam Muir]

$379 US I think, or $369 US, body only, no flash or case.
I have run some B&W through it and processed it, and focus is out.one frame was also well under exposed,and it was a frame in the middle of a series of portraits shot in the same spot at the same time.
have also shot a roll of E6 but will have to take it to Lab tomorrow.

 

[Adam Muir]

I thought for that price it would be good..???

 

[scottgee1]

Sorry to hear about your frustrating experience. Best of luck getting a resolution that pleases you.

In the past I've posted comments in various forums about my experience with KEH and won't belabor the subject. Suffice to say, their QC is not what it used to be. I think they simply don't know how to check certain items correctly and are willing to let customers do the work for them. Probably cheaper than having knowledgeable staff members. King Grant (who owns KEH) wouldn't like to hear that said publicly, but my experience says it's true.

The good news is that they generally stand behind what they sell. In the U.S. they even used to pay return shipping if an item wasn't functioning correctly. Perhaps they'll do so in this case?

I am beginning to wonder if they're especially Contax illiterate. I bought an AX from them a few years ago and it would not power up. Talked with their sales and service departments and called Contax U.S. who told me exactly what to do and concluded it had a problem. Sent it back to KEH. When I followed up with the sales person, she told me that they checked it when it got back and it was fine. Had I not talked with Contax service, I might have assumed I was at fault, but in this case it was obvious that KEH was blowing smoke.

FWIW/ScottGee1

 

[ChrisPlatt]

For that price your used Contax T should be 100% working.

Based on my experience I agree with the previous poster;
KEH may not know what to look for when checking these.

I have purchased dozens of items from KEH. They have
never failed to make good on the occasional problem.

Tampering will no doubt void your warranty, so don't go
any further with your "repairs" until you hear from them...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[peter_n]

Adam I am sorry to hear of your troubles. KEH are reputable and would probably refund if you asked for it. I've heard that the best buys from KEH are their bargain grade and that you can sometimes be disappointed with the excellent grade stuff. I would return it and cut your losses especially if they are not Contax experts, which sounds like the case.

 

[JoeFriday]

I agree with Peter.. your T should have no mechanical issues per their rating system.. I'd have them refund your money.. the only other option is to have them get it repaired.. there is only one place to have that done..

Metro Camera Repair
875 6th Avenue, Suite 2114
New York, NY 10001
212-736-4663

last I heard, they charge $180 for everything

 

[Stephanie Brim]

I would go for one of two things: a full refund of your money or a partial refund in the sum it would take to get the thing working. If I really liked the camera, I'd most likely ask for the latter first.

 

[Adam Muir]

I think I want to hang on to the camera as they are hard to get. I think it needs a CLA. I know it needs the focus ajusted ( got my E6 back today ). I am not doing anything to it myself. I may if I have to but I would need a repair manual for that. I hope that KEH will contribute a CLA from Metro or at least part of, there would be about $60 US in shipping for that. I just keeps going up....And my car is still at the mechanics, and I failed to see a moped so failed to give way and that will cost as well. life is life is life....at the moment I have put the Contax T out of view because it makes me so sad to see it.

 

[peter_n]

Either they should contribute to a CLA or you should get a partial refund. I would ask them sooner rather than later. You might want to cite this thread.

 

[Adam Muir]

Mmm, I think I need to send it to Metro for service (well, I have decided to i think) but I need to talk to other Metro users first to ease my mind. Still no response from KEH.......

 

[Adam Muir]

an update, I have asked KEH to refund $180 to pay for Metro service, they have said send it back ( my expense ) and they will replace, repair or refund as they choose. I have asked them to please reconsider. the way I see it they sold me a camera in EX condition, they should deliver. refund is not an option! And I have no reason to have faith in KEH repair, I have reason not to. I am sending it to Metro regardless of who pays, and I'm hoping I don't have to lodge a Visa dispute, though I do have the forms on the way.

 

[P C Headland]

Adam

Have you considered trying to get it repaired here in New Zealand. There are some more than capable service people here. You can then ask KEH to pay for the repairs, likely to work out quite a bit cheaper than having it sent back to the US for repair.

 

[Adam Muir]

Hi P C , I have but the only man in Auckland up to the job is booked months in advance and I dont want to wait months. I also think it is best to send it to the recommended service agents.

Good to see another Kiwi.

Cheers.

Adam.