My R-D1 "Checkup" - Ouch!

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gdi

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I have a story that some R-D1 owners may be interested in, it may help everyone understand the deal with getting an R-D1 serviced in Japan....

I was planning to sell my R-D1 a few weeks ago, and everything looked good. Someone asked me to check the file count, so I took a couple of shots and noticed that it seemed to be underexposing a bit more than usual. I didn't think much of it, but since it didn't sell immediately, I decided to send it to JCH to have Epson Japan give it a check up and adjustment.

Well, it seems it was no minor metering adjustment, it needed a new "shutter box"! I just got word that it was fixed and I paid the bill - over $420 for the repair (not including Bellamy's broker fee). I am not complaining about the price really, and it is great to have JCH around to facilitate, I am just glad that I didn't sell it prior to sending it in! That would have been a hassle.

The really good thing about it is that I should have an R-D1 in tip top shape and I can be comfortable selling it! If anybody is interested in getting one that is fully checked out and has a new shutter, keep an eye out next week for it in the classifieds...

6785560979_f13c200604_z.jpg
 
I just got mine back from JCH yesterday. I paid about 1/4 what you did. Don't they have a maximum fee?
It looks like they replaced my entire LCD unit. I thought it was great deal. The thing looks almost new. I see they gave you new rubber on the front of the body as well.
 
CNNY said:
I just got mine back from JCH yesterday. I paid about 1/4 what you did. Don't they have a maximum fee?
It looks like they replaced my entire LCD unit. I thought it was great deal. The thing looks almost new. I see they gave you new rubber on the front of the body as well.
Click to expand...

Actually I thought there was a maximum fee too. But Bellamy did let me know that that was not the case. I think that was a misunderstanding that spread around the internet, it looks like that max price deal was exclusive of parts. The pic I posted was of the camera when I was selling it - it won't be back for a week or so...
 
Thanks Chris - I plan on testing everything out of course - just to make sure all is in order - but watch for it late next week. (I have to sell it pretty quick before I change my mind!)
 
CNNY said:
I just got mine back from JCH yesterday. I paid about 1/4 what you did. Don't they have a maximum fee?
It looks like they replaced my entire LCD unit. I thought it was great deal. The thing looks almost new. I see they gave you new rubber on the front of the body as well.
Click to expand...

Would you mind me asking the turn around time? Just curious really, I'd like to send mine in for a go over before they stop servicing them.

Thanks.
 
Guaranteed:
It took about a month from me dropping it off at USPS to them delivering it back. I think it was at Epson for 2 or 3 weeks. They first check it out and give a quote, and then do the work after you confirm it.

paradoxbox: I didn't have a shutter problem, but for your info, mine is over 15000. I sent it because the LCD went black.
 
photografity said:
My RD-1s is consistently giving me 1 stop under, which I just compensate by going +1.
How do you check the shutter count?
Click to expand...

It numbers the image files that it produces. I am the first owner on this one, so I know it hasn't been reset. The numbering only goes to 10,000 though, but I know when it started back at 0. There may be another way of telling that I don't know about.
 
CNNY said:
Guaranteed:
It took about a month from me dropping it off at USPS to them delivering it back. I think it was at Epson for 2 or 3 weeks. They first check it out and give a quote, and then do the work after you confirm it.

paradoxbox: I didn't have a shutter problem, but for your info, mine is over 15000. I sent it because the LCD went black.
Click to expand...

Excellent, thank you.
 
Wow, my R-D1 came back today - I first shipped it on February 11, that is pretty good turn around time IMO.

Everything looks great. The RF is dead on perfect, I think they replaced the main body with a new one, ole scratches aren't there now - it looks like they kept my old LCD and top plate. Best thing is now the exposure seems great, I think it is better than when I first got it (I am going to compare it with my digital M later tonight).

Best thing is it only has a verified 2 shutter actuations (so far)! (But they left me with the original firmware. I may leave that to the new owner, if I can sell it, to update it).
 
It is really in fine tune now, Joe. I don't think I was ever able to get the RF aligned so well - it really is nice to look through. I checked the metering against my M9 and it is very very close, AE calls for a slightly faster SS, but the results are almost exactly the same - in short the metering is great now.

I just put it up on the classifieds to try to sell it before I start using it - I am asking a premium since I paid dearly to get basically a internally new camera/shutter. We'll see if I have to actually let it go!
 
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