Grrr Pen-F order from Keh

kb244

kb244

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I bought a Pen-F, 38/1.8, 50-90/3.5 and a field case,

I got the order this morning, the body fired fine at first, but soon as I put on either the 38/1.8 or 50-90/3.5, the mirror would lock up 95% of the time, and I'd have to take the lens off and nudge the mirror just a lil further and it would retract to it's original position.

Also the shutter dial was extremely stiff to turn.

And to top it off the field case which was described as a Pen-F case didn't even fit the PenF , the tripod socket was on the wrong side of the field case (in the middle on case, but actual socket is off to the right on the camera).

*sigh*
 
feenej said:
They would take it back, but any 40, or near 40 year-old camera you buy is still gonna need a cla.
Click to expand...

Obviously, but I would expect it to work if they sold it as "working". (ie: anything above UG)

I emailed them, didn't hear back yet.
 
I would return it to KEH and continue searching.

I have two Pen-FT's from the 'bay and none of them requires CLA to work.
 
shadowfox said:
I would return it to KEH and continue searching.

I have two Pen-FT's from the 'bay and none of them requires CLA to work.
Click to expand...
If I do return it I'll probably exchange for the other one they had, however I'm wondering if it's the lens (like sticky aperture returning to full open) instead of the body.

I used to have an FT, but I'm wanting an original F (brighter viewfinder)
 
This kind of "combination problem" is not uncommon with the Pens. In my experience (2 bodies and 5 or 6 lenses) the culprit is the lens aperture lever, which had become stiff over time. By gently feeling the resistance of the lever I noticed the problem lenses took much more finger pressure to stop down than the other lenses. I only attempted one repair (to a 40/1.4) but by cleaning up all the aperture mechanics the lens/body combination worked just fine.

A good indicator of the problem is the mirror cycling fine with the lens wide open or nearly so, but not when the lens is stopped down.
 
Well at least the CanonP that came int he same order is working just fine. I'm starting to think its just the lens and not the body. As the body can always fire fine, just not when you put the 38/1.8 on, and half the time when you put the UG 50-90 on.
 
Both my PEN FT and FV work very smooth, quiet and precisely at all speeds. I have heard a few stories of non working PEN F but none about non-working FT or FV. The second version has a redesigned shutter. My Canon RF all working like new with the exception of the V-L (the oldest). About 3/4 of all Pentax S series cameras are still working. It take more than 100,000 of shots to kill a Nikon F shutter. There are bad designs, and bad ones. Good designs nearly last forever.

Buying from a professional dealer and paying a premium price is fine, but then I expect 1) some better material than average, and 2) that it looks and works exactly as described, or better. But my experience is that both it isn't the case very often. About 90% of my cameras are bought from non professional sellers, but I do ask questions if anything isn't clear to me and I never buy from "found it somewhere, looks great and should work, but dunno nothing bout cameras".

cheers, Frank
 
Honestly I think its the lens now, its very slow to close the apertuer at times when I poke at the level with my finger. I would have expected that to be mentioned. Question becomes, do I take it to the local repair guy to be cleaned (the lens) for possibly 30$, or do I return it for 10$ of my shipping, then pay for an "EX" one for 70$ then pay 12$ of shipping again to get that one back.

Least I know peters can easily clean up a lens, but in the past he won't touch Pen-F/FT (or least I think he said he won't touch their shutters).
 
Sonnar2 said:
Buying from a professional dealer and paying a premium price is fine, but then I expect 1) some better material than average, and 2) that it looks and works exactly as described, or better. But my experience is that both it isn't the case very often. About 90% of my cameras are bought from non professional sellers, but I do ask questions if anything isn't clear to me and I never buy from "found it somewhere, looks great and should work, but dunno nothing bout cameras".

cheers, Frank
Click to expand...

Working in a camera store and listing things online regularly for them, I'm familiar with this, especially since we don't want a return because something was not delivered as described.
 
Well they got back with me, I sent the following.

got the Order today, however there was a problem with the order.

1) Whenever mounting the 38/1.8 or the 50-90/3.5 I ordered onto the Pen-F, after firing a shot the mirror sticks in the closed position until I remove the lens, and tap the mirror to make it retract back to it's original position. The camera will fire and return without a lens, but not with either lens on it as a result it's not a "working" camera in my opinion.
2) The BGN 38/1.8 I ordered for the Pen-F has sticky aperture blades and seriously needs cleaning. If I push the aperture lever with my finger and let go, the aperture blades retract very very slowly sometimes taking over a second to retract back to wide open. (which is probably causing the problem with #1, tho the 50-90 causes the problem too...)

3) The shutter dial on the Pen F is extremely stiff to turn, takes quite a bit of effort to do so.
4) The field case I ordered for the "PenF" doesn't fit the Pen F I received, the tripod screw is in the middle of the case, as opposed to the side where it should be for the camera.

But at least the Canon P seems to be in working order as described on the site. But I need to know what I can do about this PenF outfit...

-Karl
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Hi,

Please return the defective items for a refund. We do not use RA numbers, but please send a copy of your yellow sales invoice and the lens to:

KEH Camera
Attn: Returns
2310 Marietta Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30318

I have noted the reason for return in your customer file. In the event of a KEH error, return shipping up to $10.00 will also be reimbursed. A refund will be issued to your Master Card.

Thanks,

Laura
Click to expand...

Course having previously noticed they have 60-day warranties on used items on their site I sent this back in reply.


Hello Laura,

Is repair or exchange a possibility? (on the 38/1.8 and/or PenF and case)

-Karl
Click to expand...


Ideally I'd like a repair over a refund, because least with a repair I'll know its been serviced, where as refunding and shopping again I'd be taking a gamble again.




 
It is not very difficult to get to the aperture mechanism of the lens,
just take the lens mount off.

Plus you really want a 40/1.4 or 42/1.2 🙂
 
kb244 said:
If I do return it I'll probably exchange for the other one they had, however I'm wondering if it's the lens (like sticky aperture returning to full open) instead of the body.

I used to have an FT, but I'm wanting an original F (brighter viewfinder)
Click to expand...

I see, FWIW, if you want brighter viewfinder you'd be better off looking for an FV. The shutter mechanism on the Pen F are not as reliable as the newer FT/FV (hence the updated versions).

I know, FV is rare, me personally, would rather have a black Pen FT 🙂
 
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