Hmc155?

M

Mark Von Lanken

Well-known member
A friend of mine decided to buy the HMC150 and B&H even had a special NAB price, but they were out of stock. He looked around and found Broadway Photo Video had it in stock. Well when it arrived it was an HMC155.

Does anyone know how the 155 is different from the 150?

If he should send it back, who has a 150 in stock? It seems they are in short supply. Thanks for your help.
 
The 155 is the Asia model. Considered gray-market. Broadway Photo Video is not an authorized dealer of any product line. Those cameras have no U.S. warranty.
 
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japan

japan

mine is also 155 and came from japan from a local dealer here in the Philippines
 
Just look at resellerratings to get the low-down on places like Broadway Photo and Video.

Their score.

Here's the typical text about imports:

"Any item marked as "USA Domestic Model" is an item which was imported and/or distributed directly by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's official licensed importer/distributor and are warranted by the manufacturer. Items marked as "Import Model" are imported and/or distributed by other entities and are warranted by Prestige Camera. Import Model products do not qualify for manufacturer's rebate programs, and are covered by limited non-domestic warranties."
 
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Chances of a major clunk with it in the first 3 years is sooo slim anyway, I wouldn't bother.
When I bought my DVX I ummed and ahhed about where to buy it,,,, $500 cheaper but grey market OR buy from my local Panny Pro shop.,,, it was the latter, only because of "Warranty",, 12 months later my warrnaty has gone and my DVX hasn't missed a beat and I've put her thru some real torture tests. Now, was the 12months worth $500????
Who knows,,, but I do know I could of bought some extra accessories with that extra $500 I paid.

I'm now in the market for my HMC152,,, the AUD is so weak against any currency right now. For me to buy one from the same shop where I bought my DVX from is torture to the wallet at a whopping $7200 with no card or extras. I can buy one from Global Media Pro in New Zealand for $5100 plus $80 shipping and 10% duty,,,, but only one of those Mack warranties which are ???? dunno, never been down that road.

Anyway, I can save $1000 if I go overseas to buy it.
 
D.R. Gates said:
The 155 is the Chinese model, imported from Hong Hong. Typical gray-market crap that Broadway Photo Video always sells. I'm surprised you didn't warn your friend to stay away from unscrupulous dealers.

They're not an authorized dealer of any product line. The dirty little secret is those cameras have no U.S. warranty.
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Hi Dirk,

Thanks for the info. Come on, you know me better than that. ;-) He bought the camera and after the fact, told me where he bought it.
 
D.R. Gates said:
The 155 is the Chinese model, imported from Hong Hong. Typical gray-market crap that Broadway Photo Video always sells. I'm surprised you didn't warn your friend to stay away from unscrupulous dealers.

They're not an authorized dealer of any product line. The dirty little secret is those cameras have no U.S. warranty.
Click to expand...
Firstly, as it has been said, the 155 is not a Chinese model, but an Asian-market model, which is sold in Japan as well. Second, are you implying that it is made in China? AFAIK, all the HMC15x are made in Japan. Am I wrong? Hey, dcloud, where yours is made? Third, I am not sure that Panasonic legally can decline warranty service on the camera brought from overseas. What if I lived there and bought it and brought with me and it broke? Do I have to send it back for repairs? This is insane. I don't think that these rules will stand against California laws.

I can buy the 155 right now for $2900. B&H has it for $3,400, this is $500 difference! During NAB I could buy the 150 from B&H for $3,100 with a coupon, I should have but I did not. Now the price for the 150 went up and I don't think it will go down again because Panasonic has the HMC40 to cover low-end market. The 40 with XLR and a mic comes to $2,500-2,600 vs. the 155 for $2,900 and no warranty. Tough choice, eh? But the 15x is so much better a camcorder.
 
They absolutely can and will decline warranty service on a product bought overseas. Your warranty is not a "global" warranty, it's a warranty offered by the sales company for that territory. Panasonic USA-bought products are warranted in the USA and only in the USA. If you take it to South America and it breaks, don't expect to take it into the Panasonic South America service office and have them perform free warranty service. They won't.

You could always ship it back to the USA, or wherever your warranty is from, and get it fixed there under warranty.

But no, if you buy a 155, you will not be able to get it serviced under warranty anywhere other than in Japan.
 
Mark,

To answer your next question. I got mine from G & G Technologies (http://www.ggvideo.com) they have consistently had them in stock when no one else has...and for a better price than most anyone.
I have purchased stuff from them for about 8 years now.
Andy
 
Barry_Green said:
But no, if you buy a 155, you will not be able to get it serviced under warranty anywhere other than in Japan.
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Would Pana USA fix the camera if I paid for it normal rate, like I would pay for a U.S.-sold camera after the warranty period?
 
My understanding is that yes, they would fix it just like any out-of-warranty product. But don't take that as an absolute, it'd be best to ask them directly.
 
Andy Turner said:
Mark,

To answer your next question. I got mine from G & G Technologies (http://www.ggvideo.com) they have consistently had them in stock when no one else has...and for a better price than most anyone.
I have purchased stuff from them for about 8 years now.
Andy
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Hi Andy,

I'm not shopping for one. I had a friend that bought one, but an HMC155 arrived instead of an HMC150.

Thanks for the info on G & G Tech. I consistantly have people asking where to buy since B&H is out of stock so much of the time.
 
i recently ordered a hmc150 from a dealer here in tulsa which is listed on the panasonic site as a reseller, today when i went to pick it up it was the hmc155.

im assuming there is still problems with the warranty on these here in the US?
 
Are you saying that you bought an HMC155 from an authorized Panasonic reseller? That would be a major violation of their contract with Panasonic, and you should probably report your experience to Jan Crittenden here through a PM.

You will have no warranty coverage on an HMC155 in the USA.
 
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