Louis Posted July 6, 2015 Share #1 Posted July 6, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) After having happily used D-Lux 3, 4 and 5; I was thrilled to purchase the new Panasonic/D-Lux 109 at the end of 2014 because of its larger sensor and beautiful design (and, 3 year warranty!). But the camera was not functioning correctly and the zoom lens was freezing! I contacted Leica North America and was told since the camera is still new, they don’t have a clue about what could be wrong and I have to use it longer to see if I still has the same problem! After about 4 months, the camera was still freezing and I had to send it to the Leica Repair Shop in New Jersey! They told me they have to change the “Circuit Board”, but graciously sent me a new camera after 3 weeks! The EVF of the new camera stopped functioning after 3 weeks!!!... So, I had to send it back to the Repair Shop in New Jersey again!... My “new” camera has been there for over a month now, and the last time I called them, they told me that the “Circuit Board” should be changed and they have no idea when it would be done! … Therefore, I am not having my camera back for my summer vacation!... Needless to say how appalled I am with the quality control of D-Lux 109! I will never trust this camera again and feel so sorry I have ever bought it! Even if they “repair” it or even send me another new one; I have no idea or faith how long it would take till I have another problem again! I am perfectly aware that 109 is made by Panasonic in Japan, but it has a red dot with the brand “Leica” on it. Therefore, I totally hold Leica responsible for these problems! I only wish I could have my money back so I could by myself another camera, other than D-Lux!... I can never trust D-Lux again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Hi Louis, Take a look here D-Lux 109 dilemma! :(. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ChrisRL Posted July 6, 2015 Share #2 Posted July 6, 2015 Louis, I sympathize with your pain. A friend of mine sent a 109 back because the lens extension motor and tracks were too open to grit getting in the works and resulting in the exact same error you have. And 'even' Panasonics shouldn't exhibit this kind of design flaw - I've shot with many Leica lensed Panasonic video cameras and they were very well designed, and constructed. I tried a 109 for a split second and stuck with my D2/DL5 combination (but then again, I tried the DL6 and didn't upgrade either). I feel that D-Lux 5's are very good at what they do, which is a lot. Just look at the pricing between the DL5 and the DL6. Tells one a lot! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wda Posted July 6, 2015 Share #3 Posted July 6, 2015 Louis, from evidence published in this forum, I think you have been very unlucky. My D Lux 109 was bought a few months ago and has been a continuiing delight to use. The results are excellent. I would be inclined to contact your local Customer Services and ask for a new replacement. It is still within its warranty period. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisRL Posted July 6, 2015 Share #4 Posted July 6, 2015 What David said : ) Best Chris 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) Chris and David, thank you very much for your response! I do agree that using 109 is a delight; it could be a very enjoyable little camera if it didn't have issues that I described! ... I really loved it but was very disappointed! I was told by Leica that they would be glad to replace it for me, but they will not have any shipment before August. That means at the end of my vacation!!!... And what if I will have new or others problems with the new camera!?... As I said, I reay lost my trust in this beautiful camera and I really wish to have my money back! I wrote to the Getmany Leica headquarters about my problems; but of course, no response!... Edited July 6, 2015 by Louis2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisRL Posted July 6, 2015 Share #6 Posted July 6, 2015 Louis, I just PM'd you. Best Chris 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted July 6, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted July 6, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) Louis, I just PM'd you. Best Chris Much appreciated!... I responded to you! Kind Regards, Louis Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhsimmonds Posted July 7, 2015 Share #8 Posted July 7, 2015 Louis, from evidence published in this forum, I think you have been very unlucky. My D Lux 109 was bought a few months ago and has been a continuiing delight to use. The results are excellent. I would be inclined to contact your local Customer Services and ask for a new replacement. It is still within its warranty period. I would like to echo this statement as although my own camera is the Panasonic LX100. it is still a '109' in a different skin! I had one of the first batch to be imported into the UK in early November 2014 and it has behaved impeccably. You have experienced massive bad luck, I can understand your frustration and I would probably feel exactly the same as you. Clearly even the replacement camera is not of merchantable quality and should be exchanged by Leica or it's agents as a matter of expediency. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted July 7, 2015 I would like to echo this statement as although my own camera is the Panasonic LX100. it is still a '109' in a different skin! I had one of the first batch to be imported into the UK in early November 2014 and it has behaved impeccably. You have experienced massive bad luck, I can understand your frustration and I would probably feel exactly the same as you. Clearly even the replacement camera is not of merchantable quality and should be exchanged by Leica or it's agents as a matter of expediency. I lost confidence in this camera because I am not the only one who has problems with it. You can see it even in this site, as I have also seen it in other sites and with friends who had to send it back to the leica Repair or to have it replaced!... I remember when LX100/109 came out, there was a big discussion about 109 being a better quality because it was made in Japan, compared to LX100 that is being made in China. But ironically, I hear much more complaints about 109 than about LX100!... Anyway, thank you very much for your response and I hope because of the discussions we are having, there would be a better quality control for items with the famous red dot! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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