Hexar RF still being serviced?

I havent heard any news from Sony about my unit.

Called Sony Singapore to check on the status of my camera in Japan, said that they will revert to me on Monday again.
 
Sony just told me my camera is ready for collection tomorrow.

SGD380, which works out to about USD274.

Will test it out at the Sony center tomorrow to make sure everything is working out fine. I hope its all sorted really.
 
RWC: Here's hoping they got it right. If they did, we'll have ONE place that can handle the things. Might be a pain to send it out that far, but if one of mine ever goes on the fritz, that's where I'll send it.


- Barrett
 
Royale, good luck on that... And I'd think it so very useful to pick up the repair in person and check it carefully at the counter at the shop. Having that ability would save my shipping my HRF cross-country, as I could run a quick roll through right there and show the tech immediately in exactly what way it didn't get fixed.

I'm now waiting for Precision to review the data on their previous repair attempts and get back to me on what comes next...
 
got great news! My Hexar is working fine!

Framelines are working, motor is winding nicely as usual, focusing seems alright everything is working now!

Maybe you guys might wanna send in your set to Sony in the USA & request they sent it to Japan to get it sorted.

Took a few shots with it today but yet to finish the roll of film yet, prob will finish up tomorrow.

I was charged SGD300 for parts, SGD60 for servicing & 7%GST on top of that, brought the total to SGD 385.20, that would be about USD278

sony didnt mention what went wrong though. I've got 3 months service warranty on top of that as well.
 
Sony won't send cameras from the US to Japan, they have a contract with Precision for all repairs. I had a good contact at Sony who couldn't make it happen.
 
But, assuming one can't get no satisfaction via Precision, doesn't that give you some pull in changing some minds at Sony?

At the very least, there ought to be a bit more pressure on Precision to get its act together. You'd think we're asking a local garage to fix a Bugatti Veyron here!

But, as far as someone knowing how to deal with Hexars somewhere on the damn planet, it appears we finally have a winnah! :)


- Barrett
 
Japan Exposures will help you with repair of not only Hexar camera in Japan for ¥5000 fee (plus shipping and other eventual costs). Which may be cheaper if there is any Sony Singapore fee..
 
Just for the record: A camera repair shop in Hamburg, Germany is advertising on Ebay that they are servicing Hexars and that they bought up the entire German KonicaMinolta spares stock when Minolta gave up digicam activities.

I sent my Hexar RF for CLA - the viewfinder ring is missing and the shutter's a little sticky. I expect to receive their repair cost estimate shortly.

When I phoned them, they told me they can fix the viewfinder ring problem: They offered to exchange the entire camera top cover which seems to be a kit. The price is supposed to be round 90 € w/o VAT, which looks reasonable to me, considering that my camera's top plate looks a bit beat up.

I'll report when I have my camera back - with URL if the repair was successful.
 
Well, this is better news than we've gotten lately. I love my RFs, and whenever the time comes for one to get serviced (I've flirted with the idea of a third body as a backup, since I'll presume sending one that far afield for service will increase turnaround time), having a ready shortlist of reliable service centers is a Good Thing.


- Barret
 
Dirk @ Japan Exposures will do it for you (take it to Sony Japan) for a small fee. He's offered it to me but I did not ask the cost as my camera is @ Precision where it has called home for the past 4 months.
It does come home for a visit now and then, but never longer than the time it takes to check it and then off it goes again. I think it likes it there.
I've been told that this time the head of the department will check it personally before it comes back, so maybe it will come home for good.
Sad part about it, this camera works great, rangefinder is clear, bright and adjusted properly, meter is right on, no hinkie electrical issues except they just can't seem to get the focus adjustments right.
Close focus is off, infinity is off and each time it comes back it's the same. I've film tested it with 4 different lenses each time, so that's not the problem
Go figure.
 
amateriat said:
But, assuming one can't get no satisfaction via Precision, doesn't that give you some pull in changing some minds at Sony?
Click to expand...

That mine had been to Precision two or three times already didn't seem to help. They've got a contract with Precision, and don't seem eager to take on repairs of another dead system.
 
lewis44 said:
Dirk @ Japan Exposures will do it for you (take it to Sony Japan) for a small fee. He's offered it to me but I did not ask the cost as my camera is @ Precision where it has called home for the past 4 months.
It does come home for a visit now and then, but never longer than the time it takes to check it and then off it goes again. I think it likes it there.
I've been told that this time the head of the department will check it personally before it comes back, so maybe it will come home for good.
Sad part about it, this camera works great, rangefinder is clear, bright and adjusted properly, meter is right on, no hinkie electrical issues except they just can't seem to get the focus adjustments right.
Close focus is off, infinity is off and each time it comes back it's the same. I've film tested it with 4 different lenses each time, so that's not the problem
Go figure.
Click to expand...


Hmmm...

I guess sending the Hexar RF to Japan Exposures to get them serviced by Sony Japan would be the best bet for you guys. The nightmare stories from Precision is really too much to handle for anyone.

Or perhaps, if you do have a friend in Japan who could do a big favour? or contacting Sony Japan direct & sending it in yourself?
 
Here is an Update.
Just got a call from Precision. Seems they figured out the focus might need adjustment, but they don't have a lens that would fit the camera and would I mind sending them one.

Let me get this straight. They are Sony's only rep to service the Konica Hexar RF in the USA and they don't have an M Mount lens to do a focus test.

I do appreciate that they now are going to do a focus test, but that has been the problem the last three times I've sent it back.

What were they doing and how did they do it?

Anyway, I sent a lens to them today and they may get it right this time.

Keep your fingers crossed.
 
Randy, they asked me for my lens too, for focus calibration, and seemed nonplussed when I said I didn't have a 50mm Hexar for it. I've been including the CV f/2.5 Skopar the last few times I've sent in the camera, and they've said nothing further on the subject. Good luck! :)
 
lewis44 said:
Here is an Update.
Just got a call from Precision. Seems they figured out the focus might need adjustment, but they don't have a lens that would fit the camera and would I mind sending them one.

Let me get this straight. They are Sony's only rep to service the Konica Hexar RF in the USA and they don't have an M Mount lens to do a focus test.

I do appreciate that they now are going to do a focus test, but that has been the problem the last three times I've sent it back.

What were they doing and how did they do it?

Anyway, I sent a lens to them today and they may get it right this time.

Keep your fingers crossed.
Click to expand...

I wonder if anyone from Sony reads this forum? And I would also be tempted to forward a link for this thread to Sony customer service and see what they think of it.
As a side note - I'm surprised that after all this anyone would ever deal with "Precision". Ever. I wouldnt let them wash my car, much less work on any camera of mine..
 
I'm surprised that after all this anyone would ever deal with "Precision". Ever. I wouldnt let them wash my car, much less work on any camera of mine..
Click to expand...
Well, I would agree, but for the fact that they are trying. They could have just given up, but are making an honest effort to get it right.

I spoke with the Manager yesterday, twice. He called me the first time to get more information to go over the camera again.
After I explained in more detail what was going on, he talked to the tech that was working on the camera.

I got a call back and was told that they have made arrangements to get 2 additional lenses (Leica M) along with the Konica lens I sent them and will use the 3 lenses to make the adjustments and will get the camera adjustments right this time, regardless of time and cost.

He also stated that he would check it personally using the same methods I used (focus test w/ test chart and film) before shipping it back to me.

Maybe they should have done this from the start, but my understanding is that they felt the rangefinder and camera's lens mount were adjusted to spec, so the lens was an issue and that's why they finally asked me to send a lens.
I spent some time explaining that I have CV, Leica and Konica lenses and all focus properly on my M cameras and all focus incorrectly on the Hexar by about the same amount.
They finally agreed that it is the camera and will get additional lenses and make it focus correctly with all of them.

The Konica, working correctly is a great camera, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I had a another Hexar RF before this one and really enjoyed it but let it go as I shoot mostly with a 50 & 90mm lens and it got little use. I'm using a 35mm more these days and felt it would be a nice camera to have in the bag.

We'll See.
 
lewis44 said:
Well, I would agree, but for the fact that they are trying. They could have just given up, but are making an honest effort to get it right.

.
Click to expand...

Well that would mean they have to refund the money, etc. etc. And they just dont want to do that, it seems. Hope it works out for you, but as I said - I'd sooner try to fix it myself before sending camera to them.
 
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