U.S. service for G series?

[scottgee1]

Has the question of ongoing U.S. service for the G series ever been resolved?

I caught wind of the impending Kyocera decision to get out of the business well before it happened and like a coward sold my G kit. I regret it of course, but now that I'm thinking about getting one again, I wonder about getting it fixed.

I know Tocad was supposed to take over the line, but their service for products they've carried for years stinks, so I don't hold out much hope for them doing justice to the sophisticated Contax products.

Anyone have any experience with this?

TIA!/ScottGee1

 

[Doug]

KEH buys and sells quite a few of this gear, I think, so it would seem likely their repair shops would be able to do service work. Worth checking...

 

[jaap]

Here in Europe we have can deal with Kyocera Hamburg in Germany. The contax stuff will be serviced for quite a while. It has also a good reputation. I can image that's also the case in the U.S.

 

[schmoozit]

I was just reading elsewhere (PNet) that the service center(s) in the U.S. have been in disarray. You would do well, I think, to be very sure that your camera will be going to the correct service center, as there was a switch of some sort. Some poor fellow was without his very expensive camera for a long, long time, and finally had to get CEOs from both the U.S. and Japan involved before anyone could find, and then service, his camera.

I'm checking on some service for my G2 at the moment, as well. Hopefully I can have it done reasonably in Japan.

 

[scottgee1]

KEH buys and sells quite a few of this gear, I think, so it would seem likely their repair shops would be able to do service work. Worth checking...

Indeed. Good suggestion -- I'll check with them.

What bothers me is that I didn't think of it. Either their advertising for their service department is ineffective or my memory is worse than I thought it was. I get their catalog every month and every issue has a whole page advertising the service department and usually includes a coupon. Somehow I didn't make the association.

Yeah, it's not about them . . . 🙄

Thanks!/ScottGee1

 

[Issy]

I have another thread in here about my experiences with ToCad.

From what I have experienced and heard, in general if you send the camera in for a CLA or problem, they will fix it in a timely matter. If however, you try anything outside of the norm (example: try to order one of the little black rings that goes around the cable release on a G1), they really don't have the time or capacity to deal with it.

Despite having the repair managers email address and assurances, I'm still waiting on that little bugger since August....

As an aside, I have a Hexar RF going in for repairs as well. I didn't think it would go this far, but my experiences with both (the Hexar and the G) are starting to drive whether I keep both of them.

I have a love-hate relationship with my Leicas (it _really_ bothers me that the combination of the "aura" and Leica pricing make you pay more for a Leica lens hood than I did for my G1 bodies), but knowing that I can get them fixed if need be keeps me on them (and might very well make them my sole RF system).

 

[scottgee1]

Thanks for bringing my attention back to this. I called KEH service and had to leave a VM message.

However, they do provide service estimates at their Web site and I pretended I had a G2 with a shutter problem. I was quoted US$140 to:

"1. Check all functions to assure proper operation.

2. Repair and replace parts that are required to restore operation.

3. Disassemble clean and adjust switches, magnets and lubricate all internal parts.

4. Calibrate all speeds, meter and auto functions.

5. Replace foam if necessary (light seals).

6. Professionally clean all areas."

It'll be interesting to talk directly with them when they call back.

ScottGee1

 

[scottgee1]

Just realized a month has passed and no response from KEH service. Contax questions notwithstanding, I'm not impressed. But then follow up has never been KEH's long suit. I'll have to give 'em another try.

ScottGee1

 

[scottgee1]

OK. I just got off the phone with KEH service and here's what I was told.

1. Estimates are "free", i.e., if you don't want the recommended work done, you pay only for shipping.

2. They can service the complete G series, bodies AND lenses. Very happy surprise, that! 😀

3. They can service pretty much ANY modern Contax body. Lenses other than 'G' series on a case by case basis. See #1.

4. He told me he heard that Tocad is accepting equipment for service but sends anything but the most minor problems to Japan. Yeah, that surprised me too. Sounds more like a rumor, but . . .

5. They will NOT ship outside the U.S. -- customs problems apparently. That said, I'll offer to serve as a 'bouncer' for those outside the U.S. -- assuming we can work out details. I wonder if they could accept a pack from outside the U.S., do the service then ship it to a U.S. address? Hmmm . . . we can cross that bridge, etc.

hth/ScottGee1

 

[DCourter]

[2. They can service the complete G series, bodies AND lenses. Very happy surprise, that! ]

That's good news - I just ordered a G2 from KEH and had been concerned about service.

Dan

 

[Issy]

Has anyone in the US had any recent (since Christmas 2005) experienece with ToCAD, either for Contax G parts or service, either good or bad? (trying to establish if they are in disarray, or if they just don't like me 🙂 )