x-ray
Veteran
We hear so much negative commentary about Leica service I just had to post about my experience with Speedotron, a really professional oriented company.
A couple of weeks ago I found a great deal on a used ASCOR fresnel strobe spot designed for a 1980's vintage QC8 Ascor flash system. The head wasn't original and had been modified for Speedotron blacklinevpacks. Ascor, American Speedlight Corporation, sold many years ago and became Speedotron. Speedotron has been one of the top heavy duty studio strobe makers in the world.
Anyway I received the Ascor light and tested it but found it tripped a circuit breaker every time I turned the power pack on. The fresnel spot is nearing forty years old and just finding someone to repair it didn't look promising.
After researching repair services and discovering all had closed, I decided to take a long shot and contact Speedotron. To my amazement the very nice lady in the service department said send it up and we'll check it out. Ok, I sent the head off last Friday and Monday was a holiday. It was received either Tuesday or Wednesday and to my surprise I received a call from Speedotron this morning with a diagnosis and quote. The head needed a new trigger transformer, capacitor and repair to the power cable and plug. It was $106 including return shipping by FedEx ground. I approved the estimate and this afternoon received a tracking number.
If it hadn't fallen over a holiday I would have had it back in a week or just over. This is what professional companies do and what professional photographers need and expect. Nikon and Canon do similar with 1 week or less turnaround and free loaners if needed. There's no 6-7 month waits and excuses.
Hats off to the companies that cater to the professionals!
A couple of weeks ago I found a great deal on a used ASCOR fresnel strobe spot designed for a 1980's vintage QC8 Ascor flash system. The head wasn't original and had been modified for Speedotron blacklinevpacks. Ascor, American Speedlight Corporation, sold many years ago and became Speedotron. Speedotron has been one of the top heavy duty studio strobe makers in the world.
Anyway I received the Ascor light and tested it but found it tripped a circuit breaker every time I turned the power pack on. The fresnel spot is nearing forty years old and just finding someone to repair it didn't look promising.
After researching repair services and discovering all had closed, I decided to take a long shot and contact Speedotron. To my amazement the very nice lady in the service department said send it up and we'll check it out. Ok, I sent the head off last Friday and Monday was a holiday. It was received either Tuesday or Wednesday and to my surprise I received a call from Speedotron this morning with a diagnosis and quote. The head needed a new trigger transformer, capacitor and repair to the power cable and plug. It was $106 including return shipping by FedEx ground. I approved the estimate and this afternoon received a tracking number.
If it hadn't fallen over a holiday I would have had it back in a week or just over. This is what professional companies do and what professional photographers need and expect. Nikon and Canon do similar with 1 week or less turnaround and free loaners if needed. There's no 6-7 month waits and excuses.
Hats off to the companies that cater to the professionals!
Huss
Veteran
That is how service should be done!
That 6-7 month wait you are referring to is because that boutique German operation based in NJ only has one tech working there. Unbelievable but true.
That 6-7 month wait you are referring to is because that boutique German operation based in NJ only has one tech working there. Unbelievable but true.
x-ray
Veteran
I believe it.
I had two Rollei 3003's, 6 roll backs,polaroid back and a set of Zeiss lenses for them back in the 80's into the 90's. Rollei had 1 tech in the US but pro users got priority service. These were the only cameras I've seen that were less dependable and in the shop more than my (ex) M9. They gave 1 week service to pros and loners at no charge.
I don't intend this to be a Leica bashing thread. I just wanted to point out what real pro level service is. There are companies that understand the importance of quality and timely service to customers especially people that make their living with photography.