Platinum Service includes "same day replacement"

[dkCambridgeshire]

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I was chatting to a Leica dealer today who mentioned that the S2 "Platinum Service Package" includes guaranteed 'same day' replacement camera in event of breakdown. Do other manufacturers offer this guaranteed option? Leica seems to be offering professional S2 users an excellent fail-safe package. Let's hope the camera will be reliable enough to stand up to the rigours of hard professional use without too much downtime.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

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[stephengilbert]

Faith is the bird that relies on its dealer's promises.

[dkCambridgeshire]

Faith is the bird that relies on its dealer's promises.

 

"O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?"

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[stevelap]

To be fair the S2 website description of the Platinum service says "In most regions an exchange within 24hrs can be guaranteed". It's probably unlikely to work on a remote shoot in the middle of the Sahara or up on the Tibetan plain:). Leica have been planning this for a while, along with leasing options and, maybe, rental, and it shows that they recognise the need for a professional level service if they hope to penetrate that market.

 

LEICA Camera AG - EXKLUSIV-SERVICE FÜR PROFIS

[wattsy]

I was chatting to a Leica dealer today who mentioned that the S2 "Platinum Service Package" includes guaranteed 'same day' replacement camera in event of breakdown. Do other manufacturers offer this guaranteed option?

 

I think Phase dealers offer a similar service. It's the kind of backup that any photographer on a serious budget shoot will want but a same-day replacement service is only as good as how long it takes to get a replacement. If the camera goes down at 10am during an important fashion shoot costing many tens of thousands to set-up, it's not much reassurance to know that Ivor or Len will have managed to get a replacement body biked over for you from Milton Keynes at 4pm. The reality of using a Hasselblad or Phase in a major city is the knowledge that, in a pinch, you can pretty much hire what you need with little notice. Anyone serious about using the S2 professionally needs more than one body and lens alternatives or another backup system of similar quality. I guess if the S2 goes down you can always hire a Hasselblad and lens(es) to complete the job.

[dkCambridgeshire]

To be fair the S2 website description of the Platinum service says "In most regions an exchange within 24hrs can be guaranteed". It's probably unlikely to work on a remote shoot in the middle of the Sahara or up on the Tibetan plain:). Leica have been planning this for a while, along with leasing options and, maybe, rental, and it shows that they recognise the need for a professional level service if they hope to penetrate that market.

 

LEICA Camera AG - EXKLUSIV-SERVICE FÜR PROFIS

 

Platinum package also includes free shutter replacement (camera or lens) if necessary after 100,000 actuations.

 

Cheers

 

dunk

[dhsimmonds]

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OK, but where is the upgrade path that the digital pro market is used to?

 

Even Hasselblad now recognise their mistakes in no longer providing an exchange out policy for upgrading, although the current BJP report indicates that this is about to change again.

 

The big MF guns are out to try and scupper the S2 before it get's a grip on their market.

[stevelap]

I think Phase dealers offer a similar service. It's the kind of backup that any photographer on a serious budget shoot will want but a same-day replacement service is only as good as how long it takes to get a replacement. If the camera goes down at 10am during an important fashion shoot costing many tens of thousands to set-up, it's not much reassurance to know that Ivor or Len will have managed to get a replacement body biked over for you from Milton Keynes at 4pm. The reality of using a Hasselblad or Phase in a major city is the knowledge that, in a pinch, you can pretty much hire what you need with little notice. Anyone serious about using the S2 professionally needs more than one body and lens alternatives or another backup system of similar quality. I guess if the S2 goes down you can always hire a Hasselblad and lens(es) to complete the job.

 

Yes Ian, hire provision will be important and I believe that Leica recognise this.

They might be able to offer incentives to the rental houses to encourage them to carry the S2, but ultimately those businesses will want to see a market and that will depend upon take-up by the pro's (incentives again?). And for that to happen the S2 will need to be seen out in the real world. Perhaps it will be, within the next few weeks.....I'm an optimist at heart:).

 

OK, but where is the upgrade path that the digital pro market is used to?

 

Even Hasselblad now recognise their mistakes in no longer providing an exchange out policy for upgrading, although the current BJP report indicates that this is about to change again.

 

The big MF guns are out to try and scupper the S2 before it get's a grip on their market.

 

Give them a chance Dave, the S2 hasn't even hit the streets yet. Perhaps Leica will have their own upgrade path, by way of exchange deals for the body when the next model arrives.

I'm not surprised at the attitude of the 'big MF guns' towards the S2 but Leica's response was a good one.........don't rise to the bait and let customers and the market decide.