R-D1 servicing - let's coordinate!

[RichC]

I've been reading the recent posts on what to do about ensuring our cameras can be serviced/repaired by Epson.

This is something that worries me - and has done so since I bought the camera. For example, Jonas' shutter problem sounds like something that should be straightforward to fix; instead, he's being given the runaround by Epson, and, as he says, "I don't particularly have confidence that this is going to get fixed any time soon". This is simply not on.

I think that we should do something about this - as a coordinated group.

I don't think a "let's shame Epson" website is a good idea. And some individuals have written to Epson, but on an ad hoc basis.

We need an approach that is professional, has impact and is easy for us R-D1 owners to do.

I suggest that we:

• Decide on the the text of a letter to send to Epson
• Decide who to send it to. I suggest the president (Seiji Hanaoka) and the designer ("Eddy" Edatsune)
• Decide on a date on which to send the letter
• Possibly have a simple web page explaining our position, with a PDF of the letter that can be downloaded - that way, we can have the letter in Japanese that can be printed easily by everyone.
• Once the above is decided, inform as many R-D1 owners as possible.
• Inform the serious photographic press in our respective countries (e.g. Amateur Photographer magazine in the UK)
• Send out - hopefully - hundreds of letters that reach Epson on the same day

Perhaps this will convince Epson that it would be in their interest to support this camera adequately (I'm not expecting miracles - any improvement would be better than where we are at present).

Any thoughts? I really think we should do this.

(If anyone has anything to say on a tangent, e.g. about the life of modern electronic goods, corporate policy, could they post them elsewhere, please - let's keep this thread dedicated solely to addressing our R-D1/R-D1s support problem.)

 

[iml]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32217

Ian

 

[chrisso]

I don't think a "let's shame Epson" website is a good idea. We need an approach that is professional, has impact and is easy for us R-D1 owners to do.

I agree.
I suggest a constructive, enthusiastic approach should be taken.
Something about how great the camera is, how much we love it, but how much we fear any technical problems.

 

[RichC]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32217

I know, Ian - but that's just a piecemeal approach. It may bear fruit, but I think a coordinated mass mailing by concerned R-D1 owners will be more effective than a few random letters. In that thread, it’s individuals writing to Epson on an ad-hoc basis. What I’m suggesting instead is that we keep our powder dry: get as many R-D1 users as possible involved, then fire a single broadside comprising hundreds of letters on a single, agreed date.

I think my suggested approach could be more effective, especially if we alert the photographic media.

Also, the letter in the other thread addresses the complaint in general: I think it would be better to provide Epson with do-able solutions (which realistically means minimal effort/cost for Epson), e.g.

(a) ensure spares are stockpiled for as long as possible
(b) if Epson don't want to/can't service the camera themselves, make service information, software tools, parts, etc., available to (designated?) third parties in (at the very least) one location in each continent

 

[taffer]

Just not to duplicate posts:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=429561&postcount=14

Good luck !

Oscar

 

[B&W Norway]

I like this- and will support the action plan

 

[nf3996]

Count me in too.

 

[Trius]

Great strategy.

 

[decoyslikecurve]

I'll support even though I dont have an RD1. its a bloody fantastic camera.

 

[Ed Schwartzreic]

I agree with the proposal.

 

[pstevenin]

Count also me in. My case is perhaps even worse as I am the third owner of my RD-1, bought in another continent...directly to a RFF fellow.

 

[mwooten]

This is a good idea -- Count me in.

Michael

 

[fgianni]

Please count me in!

 

[sevres_babylone]

I also support this idea.

 

[dplesot]

I'm in also

 

[Terao]

Agree. Polite, specific, but firm. We need to communicate that we love our cameras - if we didn't care we wouldn't be doing this. Show loyalty to the product and by inference Epson and the culture dictates that they should reciprocate. Shouting a lot and slagging Epson from the rooftops will not get Epson Japan onside (that tactic might work for Epson America or Europe but I get the feeling that they don't have the hooks into the right bits of Epson Japan for this camera either...)

Oh and copy Mr Kobayashi in to such things, persuade him to take on the rights from Epson if need be and make me a Bessa D 🙂

How cool would a USD1500 Bessa D be? I'd buy a couple!!

 

[AusDLK]

I love my two R-D1's. They are as satisfying to hold and use as any Leica film camera. Keep me in the loop on this effort please.

 

[Joe Mondello]

I'm in.

I have a "new" re-furbed R-D1 and it needs RF alignment. The fact that it came out of alignment is bad enough. The idea that I can't get it easily and quickly adjusted under the warranty means that the warranty is a joke.

The warranty is a legal contract. Perhaps the President of Epson (Seiko?) needs to be gently reminded that there are up to 10,000 owners of their "Flagship" product who are feeling "orphaned" by the company.

I suppose I find it particularly odd that Epson decide to issue the R-D1 as a premium product and spend the time, effort and money to develop it and bring it to market and then just pull this disappearing act on the back end. Very odd IMO.

 

[Plasmat]

As you can surmise by my previous posts on the subject, I approve of this plan and you can count on my participation.

Just don't do it in a hostile "Epson Sucks" kind of way.

Be polite and firm. We are 100% justified in expecting some minumum care and support from Epson. Alerting the photographic press and presenting petitions to Epson execs is the correct way to do it.

A thousand or so unhappy R-D1 owners acting together will get results.

 

[akptc]

Count me in. Great idea.