and the dvx dies, $1500 to fix, what do u do?

tylerindo

tylerindo

Active member
THats the verdict from the repair center today. It started out as a grinding noise up by the focus ring when ever i used the manual zoom, and i've been told that the "full lens unit" needs to be swapped. The part: 1000 The labour: 500.

This all comes as a huge shock and upset seeing as I had previously sent my camera away to get a water housing custom built for it. When I got it back it just wasn't the same and I can guarntee that this wouldn't have happened. The repair center told me that this was caused by age/wear and tear. So I'm screwed on filing an insurance claim blaming it on the courier service. I'd have to say that this is the biggest piss off i've encountered in my 4 years of filmmaking-it leaves me helpless.

The water housing company said it was fine when it left, the repair center said it was not possible that it was due to shipping. Now what?

And the repair center is reputable, I can take my camera and pay nothing, of course it won't focus and I need it by months end for shooting in Nicaragua. ANybody got any ideas? I'd almost rather buy another camera that will last me 2 years again than fork out 1500 on one repair when it could easily crap out again. This puts me in a situation with no one to blame, it could be from anything, but i feel like i got screwed on the deal. Maybe the camera was crap, maybe it got thrashed in shipping, the water housing guys could have messed it up, and then again the service center could see it as a money making opportunity. As Costanza would say "I'm getting the Screwgies!!!"
 
When you manually zoomed the lens, did it feel like there was too much resistance? Is it possible that you have been zooming it with your hand without first turning the zoom switch below the lens from "servo" to "manu"?
 
probably the water housing guys messed it up, but you probably had no way to show that. you should have tried a complaint right after getting it back, but probably you thought it wasn't worth it.

anyway from what i've heard on this thread, i think i remember that unit to be cheaper than what they claimed. so you may want to check at another repair place.
as you said, at that price it's probably better to get another one (used) and keep this for spare parts..

Andrea
 
Thats a tuff situation to be in. How about selling it as is?

Do i see a DVX junkyard in the near future ?
 
If when it left your hands to the water housing center it was fine and when you got it back it was messed up, then it is their fault. If it is not possible that it was in the shipping, that is the only other possibility. So first you can ask to speak with their owner if they are a small outfit and try to get them to cover the repair costs as it seems to me they are at fault. Be courteous and try to calmly convey to them that you cannot afford to pay for a repair that was caused while on their premises. If they are resistant but not completely dissmisive try to get them to cover at least half of the expense. If that doesn't work, let them know that you will be going to the BBB with your experience. Then write them a letter and CC the BBB. Hopefully that will get you somewhere. May take a while too.:crybaby:
 
Sure, of course they said all was well, deny any accidents and the repair center cant really understand what would have caused it, so i'm going after the shipping service USPS as it was insured for 1000, and if its fine at Point A, and arrives at point B then the shipper is to blame. Like it or not I see no other option. These guys are saying that they did nothing to it. Proving it isn't easy, its there word against mine, against the shipper. F*ck
 
surfshooter said:
Sure, of course they said all was well, deny any accidents and the repair center cant really understand what would have caused it, so i'm going after the shipping service USPS as it was insured for 1000, and if its fine at Point A, and arrives at point B then the shipper is to blame. Like it or not I see no other option. These guys are saying that they did nothing to it. Proving it isn't easy, its there word against mine, against the shipper. F*ck
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Good luck man. I hope it works out okay. Maybe you can get a letter from the custom housing place saying it left their location undamaged.
 
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yeah thats the plan. As of now i'm going after USPS for the 1000 insurance, and then after my own company to cover other costs, if it looks like the repairs are too much then i'm definately putting in a claim with my company for a replacement camera. Thats why i have it insured right, in case things like this happen, talk about mierda. But on the bright side i could soon be the owner of a dvx100b as well as a 100.
 
Master 151 asks a very good question -
"When you manually zoomed the lens, did it feel like there was too much resistance? Is it possible that you have been zooming it with your hand without first turning the zoom switch below the lens from "servo" to "manu"?

Manually zooming in "servo" mode is a fast track towards wear and tear. And even if you know the difference, are there other people using your camera who may not? I always have to keep an eye on folks checking out my camera to make sure they don't crank the zoom ring, because I keep my camera in servo mode.
 
here's a piece of funny news, because it was shipped from San Diego, I have to repack everything the way it was, and it ship it back in order for them to file a claim. So let me see, that means another custom fuk up, more damage in shipping, and probably 2 months of BS before i'll see my camera again. Talk about BS. I need this thing at the end of the month, and so now i'm officially out 1500 for no damn reason aside from USPS's outright ignorance, stupidity, and crap system. Un-farken-believable
 
I agree with Baluardo try to get a second opinion to see if it agrees with what the first place told you. I have two Panasonic Authorized places that deal with DVX cameras where I live. I went in for a routine maintenence. One place charged $180 the other $60 for the same work/labor. I took it to the $60 place and they did a great job with excelent service, but thats beside the point.

What Im getting at is never be satisfied with the first place you take you equipment to. Shop around just like you did when you bought the camera. Hope it all works out in time for your gig.
 
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