Voightlander service/repair

[bob_osullivan]

I just bought the Bessa R3M and 40 F1.4 from B&H Photo.

 

On their websight they didn't say that these items were grey market. But when

I recieved them there is no warranty card in the boxes and no serial numbers on

the body or lens.

 

As I understand it B&H claims to offer a 1 year warranty on their grey market

stuff. I assume it's a replacement or store credit program.

 

This concernded me and I was thinking about returning the stuff and re-buying

it from a Voightlander authorized reseller. Apparently there are only two

Photo Villiage and Camerea quest. Neither of thier sites indicate weather or

not they will repair units that were not purchased from them.

 

There's nothing aparently wrong with the items. I just want to know if/how I'd

be covered if i have a problem especially out of warranty repairs that may be

needed over a year from now.

 

So, the big question is, has anyone bought a Voightlander from the "wrong"

seller and been able to get warranty service done? Did you go direcdt to

Voightlander in Germany for service? Or do the US distriburs offer warranty

and/or out of warranty service for items bought grey market.

 

Thanks,

[dougfromtumwater]

I wouldn't worry about it, B&H is a good outfit. BTW, there is no Voightlander company in Germany the name was purchased some years ago from a holding company and the entity you are referring to is really Cosina in Japan.

[kevinteo]

<p>As Doug said, although Voigtländer is still owned by Ringfoto in Germany, their

"classic collection" film cameras are made by Cosina (the digital compacts I'm not so sure).

Anyway, I'm under the impression that each reseller/agent is free to offer their own warranty.

In Australia, the standard warranty on Bessa cameras is two years.</p>

[bob_osullivan]

Thanks guys, I'm starting to feel a little better now. Maybe B&H actually does do repairs, or at least sends them out on our behalf or something. I'll give them a call today and try again to get an answer from them on that.

 

I noticed that Photo Village web site states "unlike the vast majority of besa's that are sold on the grey market..blah..blah..blah" Well, if they are saying that, then I guess B&H is a viable way to buy/service them.

 

So, I"m off to my first shoot with the R3M. It's a formal portrait session, so by default I'd be using my 30D and ETRS, but I"m definatley doing some B&W candids with the besa as well.

[bobmichaels]

why not just pose this question to Steve Gandy at Cameraquest as well as the folks at B&H? That way you will get actual facts instead of internet speculation.

[bob_osullivan]

Because internet speculation is so much more fun ;-)

 

But seriously Bob, I did that as you suggested. Frankly I wanted the opinions here as well as the "facts" from the source to get the true picutre.

 

Everyone was very fast to repsond which is impressive. If anyone can learn form this great.

 

Neither Photo Village nor Camera Quest will repair grey market under warranty. It's still unclear weather theyd work on out of warrarnty older stuff for a fee or not.

 

B&H said they have techs on sight in NYC, and farm out repair to specialty shops, as needed. And as last resorts, they could send back to Japan/Germany to manufacturer, or provice a bebuilt replacement or store credit.

 

No matter how I slice this it's more complited than my Canon Slr stuff. But it seems theres a way to get them fixed so no worries I guess. I'd be in the same boat with a used Leica, but then again they dont' break right?