That does not bode well...

[jaapv]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I sent my DMR to Leica. Just now I got a telephone call with an apology for a few days delay. They will send me an e-mail about the problems. It was "a serious problem" :(

I'll keep you posted.

 

But that they took the trouble to call is a big plus for the customer service.

[Shootist]

You know Jaapv this is getting to be norm for Leica cameras, IE Big Problem.

 

Just like with Andy B's R8. The cost to fix it was more then the camera is worth. Which makes it a total loss.

Cameras of this type and cost shouldn't have these problems. Leica has gone cheap on the electronics of the camera.

 

I am really waiting to see what Leica does on the M8's after the warranty runs out and someone has a KNOWN problem, shutter fault, freezing, switch problem (Camera won't turn on fully unless you hit the shutter release), Line in the sensor and so on.

[jaapv]

Leica has gone cheap on the electronics of the camera.

Actually, the electronics on the DMR are not Leica but Imacon.

[stuny]

Ed -

 

In Borneo earlier this year my DMR/R8 I had the same symptoms that Andy's did. I brought it to Lecia USA and was promised it back in 6 weeks. Within a week I had an estimate for some free service for the DMR, and repairs to the R8 (bought at the end of 1999), all assessed in, and to be performed in Solms. Total cost USD230. I received it repaired five weeks to the day after giving it to Leica.

[masjah]

You know Jaapv this is getting to be norm for Leica cameras, IE Big Problem.

 

Just like with Andy B's R8. The cost to fix it was more then the camera is worth. Which makes it a total loss.

Cameras of this type and cost shouldn't have these problems. Leica has gone cheap on the electronics of the camera.

 

I am really waiting to see what Leica does on the M8's after the warranty runs out and someone has a KNOWN problem, shutter fault, freezing, switch problem (Camera won't turn on fully unless you hit the shutter release), Line in the sensor and so on.

 

 

We've all got a very great deal of sympathy for Andy and Jaapv. But how do you know at this stage that Jaapv's DMR will cost more to repair than it is worth? Jaapv doesn't yet know!

 

What evidence is there to say that ".. this is gettin got be norm for Leica cameras, IE Big Problem" ? The "norm" implies that it is the rule rather than the exception, but I see no evidence whatsoever to substantiate that claim.

[brucek]

The cost to fix it was more then the camera is worth. Which makes it a total loss.

 

This is true of just about EVERY current electronic item. Or almost anything else for that matter. Because of the way the parts of a product are integrated and produced it's almost physically impossible to just replace the part that has gone bad. It isn't Leica's fault - it's just the way things are made now.

[elansprint72]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I'm just wondering if there is such a thing as "agreed value" insurance for cameras (I suspect not). This is common in the classic car world; I have just increased the a-v on my Lotus to 17k from 15.5k last year; this is based upon what I would have to pay for an equivalent replacement in the event of total loss. It also means that in the event of major damage the insurance company would fund repairs up to that cost.

 

Wouldn't it be great if a similar scheme existed for such classics as the DMR? Surely the value of these bits of kit will increase at some point due to scarcity and, of course a DMR is useless without an R8 or R9.

[Guest stnami]

A lotus has more spunk than a brick..........

ps Pete there's a couple of shady characters asking about you at the bar

[jaapv]

Just got a mail. They got it going again and are sending it back - free of charge. Unfortunately the report was in a .FAX file:confused: so I cannot read what was wrong.

[Shootist]

Just got a mail. They got it going again and are sending it back - free of charge. Unfortunately the report was in a .FAX file:confused: so I cannot read what was wrong.

Jaapv are you on a PC or Mac. IIRC a .FAX file is a FAX and XP's Picture and Fax viewer program should be able to display it.

[jaapv]

Thanks Ed. That only was to say that they freed a jammed transport on the R9. I'll report when I get and test the DMR.

[topoxforddoc]

Jaap,

 

So how's that for service then? My experience of Leica customer service (as an amateur) has been pretty good of late.

 

Charlie

[Shootist]

Jaap,

 

So how's that for service then? My experience of Leica customer service (as an amateur) has been pretty good of late.

 

Charlie

I wish Leica would send over some German tech guys to the USA. Or maybe it's me but I have had terrible service from NJ. It seems I need to send a camera in at least twice to get anything fixed or to have something they screwed up fixed while they fixed something else.

[jaapv]

Pretty fast and efficient, I would say. One week turnaround and all in all 126 Euro costs, including sending it back. Unjammed the R9, presumably reset the DMR, cleaned everything (there was a remark about "dirty" -small wonder, it came straight from the bush) and shot 300 testshots. Correct feedback by phone and mail.

Pretty much as service should be, contingent on my checking the camera of course;) And me an amateur too...