Hi forum!
Sit back and enjoy a tale of mystery, intrigue, international espionage, SEX, medium format digital cameras, Israeli hostage negotiations, pole dancing, and murder!….
Actually I made up the parts about sex, pole dancing, and murder… just to try and maintain some interest
But the rest is mostly true…mostly…
Sorry for the long story, but thought some may find it interesting and hoping for some advice.
I wanted to get your thoughts about what I should do about an issue I am dealing with regarding repair of my Leaf AptusII-12 back.
I am not going to name anyone or any company I am dealing with, because I do not want any hard feelings. I have always been served well by my sales rep, and Mamiya/Leaf, and the company I purchased my mfd gear from.
Unfortunately; some things have happened that are unusual and making me question the service I am getting. I am hoping for some feedback.
A few weeks ago, one of my studio assistants was reaching for a falling fill card on the set and accidentally hit the release button on the DF. She caught the back, so it didn’t hit the floor or anything major like that, but the IR filter did hit a rubber grip on the tripod head, causing it to break in front of the sensor. I called my sales rep and he said to package it well and send it in immediately.
I was informed that this may incur a repair cost of as much as $2500+ but we will see when they get it.
We have access to a real “clean-room” and inspected the sensor with a 10x loop, and saw no sensor damage at all.
One of my assistants boxed it up like the delicate instrument it is, wrapped entirely in anti-static and foam… and sent it in.
A few days later I received a report saying that the cost of repair would be about $1500 and all that was necessary was a new IR filter, and to authorize a credit card for this. We did.
A few days later, I received an email that said they wanted to send it to the factory in Israel for “better more extensive cleaning of the sensor. I was told they would handle all this internally (they would ship) and they were doing this because that they just did not have the appropriate “factory” facilities to do a thorough job. They said they did not expect further costs but would let me know if incurred.
I said OK, go ahead.
A week and half later, I received an email saying that “significant increase in repair costs needed to be approved….The report said that the entire CCD sensor now needed to be replaced, as well as its Firewire800 assembly…incurring a new revised repair cost of $15,085.00!!!
I was also told that “if I refused all service, I would now be charged $700… just for the diagnoses.
So in other words, they have my Leaf AptusII-12 back, want $15K to repair, or $700 to return it un-repaired (I assume).
I have repeatedly inquired for any further clarification of these “damages” to the sensor that render it “inoperable” but have not received any reply other than “The sensor has now been deemed “damaged and inoperable and must be replaced, as well as the FW assembly”
I feel like my mfd back is being held hostage, in Israel, for at least $700 I never agreed to, for damages I can not verify, or get any clarification of.
My business insurance doesn’t cover damage, only theft or total studio loss.
So I am now questioning the meaning of life, the universe, and everything…or at least what $15k may get me in used mfd replacement gear, any trade-in value from Leaf or PhaseOne?….or whether I should pay the $15k and get back an “as new” 80MP AptusII-12 back and get better insurance for next time?
Should I fight the $700 charge and just get the Aptus back and take my chances? What if it was damaged further after “they” received it? How would I know?
Any thoughts or advice is always appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Sit back and enjoy a tale of mystery, intrigue, international espionage, SEX, medium format digital cameras, Israeli hostage negotiations, pole dancing, and murder!….
Actually I made up the parts about sex, pole dancing, and murder… just to try and maintain some interest
But the rest is mostly true…mostly…
Sorry for the long story, but thought some may find it interesting and hoping for some advice.
I wanted to get your thoughts about what I should do about an issue I am dealing with regarding repair of my Leaf AptusII-12 back.
I am not going to name anyone or any company I am dealing with, because I do not want any hard feelings. I have always been served well by my sales rep, and Mamiya/Leaf, and the company I purchased my mfd gear from.
Unfortunately; some things have happened that are unusual and making me question the service I am getting. I am hoping for some feedback.
A few weeks ago, one of my studio assistants was reaching for a falling fill card on the set and accidentally hit the release button on the DF. She caught the back, so it didn’t hit the floor or anything major like that, but the IR filter did hit a rubber grip on the tripod head, causing it to break in front of the sensor. I called my sales rep and he said to package it well and send it in immediately.
I was informed that this may incur a repair cost of as much as $2500+ but we will see when they get it.
We have access to a real “clean-room” and inspected the sensor with a 10x loop, and saw no sensor damage at all.
One of my assistants boxed it up like the delicate instrument it is, wrapped entirely in anti-static and foam… and sent it in.
A few days later I received a report saying that the cost of repair would be about $1500 and all that was necessary was a new IR filter, and to authorize a credit card for this. We did.
A few days later, I received an email that said they wanted to send it to the factory in Israel for “better more extensive cleaning of the sensor. I was told they would handle all this internally (they would ship) and they were doing this because that they just did not have the appropriate “factory” facilities to do a thorough job. They said they did not expect further costs but would let me know if incurred.
I said OK, go ahead.
A week and half later, I received an email saying that “significant increase in repair costs needed to be approved….The report said that the entire CCD sensor now needed to be replaced, as well as its Firewire800 assembly…incurring a new revised repair cost of $15,085.00!!!
I was also told that “if I refused all service, I would now be charged $700… just for the diagnoses.
So in other words, they have my Leaf AptusII-12 back, want $15K to repair, or $700 to return it un-repaired (I assume).
I have repeatedly inquired for any further clarification of these “damages” to the sensor that render it “inoperable” but have not received any reply other than “The sensor has now been deemed “damaged and inoperable and must be replaced, as well as the FW assembly”
I feel like my mfd back is being held hostage, in Israel, for at least $700 I never agreed to, for damages I can not verify, or get any clarification of.
My business insurance doesn’t cover damage, only theft or total studio loss.
So I am now questioning the meaning of life, the universe, and everything…or at least what $15k may get me in used mfd replacement gear, any trade-in value from Leaf or PhaseOne?….or whether I should pay the $15k and get back an “as new” 80MP AptusII-12 back and get better insurance for next time?
Should I fight the $700 charge and just get the Aptus back and take my chances? What if it was damaged further after “they” received it? How would I know?
Any thoughts or advice is always appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited: