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Parts? What Parts? Who needs Parts?
Has anyone had hard times getting parts for Panasonic repairs? I am going out of my mind because my tech cannot get parts to repair my VariCam. I’m told this is a systemic problem at Panasonic with resellers, repair centers and owner operators all saying the same things to Panasonic reps and still very little is being done. Don’t get me wrong, I love my VariCam. It makes beautiful pictures and has worked very hard. But like all cameras it needs service now and then. The problem is that for some reason Panasonic does not keep a large selection of parts on hand. Long story short this is what brings me to this forum: VariCam makes grass green pictures. Camera goes to Boston for service and after a few days on the bench the problem is isolated to a board in the chip block. On Tuesday we contact Panasonic and are told that there are no components available but there is 1 board in stock in NJ. Its $1000. I tell the service tech to get the board and lets get back to work. By Friday the board has not arrived. A call to NJ finds that “Oh, the board was damaged and not useable”. We got no call all week to let us know that. When we asked about getting another one we were told that they could try to get one from Japan but it will take a minimum of a week and a half and that is being optimistic. I have my camera set to work 13 days over the next 3 weeks. Now I have to rent a replacement. Kinda screws with the profit margin. That does not include the service work which will be in the $3000+ range. I know that stuff has to get serviced. I understand that that is part of doing business. I have to get my Ikegami serviced. I have NEVER had to leave it at the service center for what I figure is going to be 5-6 weeks simply because parts were not available.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rant on about this. I was wondering if others have had similar issues and concerns, perhaps we can get them to Jeff Merritt and Steve Mahrer and they can pass it along to the folks that need to hear this. The lack of parts support can begin to erode the support of owner/operators and eventually that will hurt sales.
But most of I want my baby back.Dale West
Dale West Video
12225 NE 13th Court
North Miami, FL 33161
305-892-1201 -
8 Replies
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Dale,
I know what you’re talking about. I too have had issues in the past with Panasonic service, but after much complaining, I can report that they seem to be trying harder, but obviously not in your case. When in doubt, I suggest you “big foot” the service or parts department and contact Steve or Jeff directly for help. I know your camera is not in warrentee anymore, but if it was the delay would qualify you for a loaner I’m sure.
In comparison with the service we used to get at Ikegami, it’s night and day! I think part of the problem is that the success of the Varicam has overwealmed the capacity of the service and parts department who never really had to deal with such a large owner operator base that required the type of prompt attentive service as we do.
I can only hope that you get you parts soon and the camera gets back to work for you. Let me know if I can help you with a rental!
Regards,
JS
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John
Seems that the Macie Video guys were able to do just that. Suddenly there is a part available. Came out of the Panasonic service stash I guess. I’m just a single camera owner and don’t have much pull with Steve and Jeff but I know that they read the forum and perhaps I’ll hear from them along the way. It is a shame that Big Footing is even needed but in the end its all about getting the camera fixed and back in service.
On another note anyone want to talk about the LH-900 and the cable from the control panel to the monitor…I’m into that for just under 1000 for two repairs. Don’t think that will win any design awards.
OK enough. I still like the whole line and hope that they are able to overcome issues that exist.
best
daleDale West
Dale West Video
12225 NE 13th Court
North Miami, FL 33161
305-892-1201 -
Dale,
Yeah, I’ve fixed the control cable on the monitor once, although it only cost me $200. The repair came with a reinforced heat shrink that does seem to have rugidized it a bit. I’ve put a note on the case advising the user to disconnect the cable before packing/shipping; this seems to have helped too.
JS
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Hi Dale,
May I recommend that next time you send your monitor to Abel Cine Tech and they will replace it for much better one and you won’t have that problem? Please call them and ask for details.
Mariusz
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Mariusz,
Alright, you’ve piqued my interest, what are you talking about?
JS
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Hi John,
They have that curly expandable cable that is much more durable. Also they add more shrink tube on connector where it is weakest point. This way you can put Hytron with no problem, more strenght and flexibility.
Check it out. I am sure they will have it at NAB in their booth.Mariusz
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Thanks for that information. This is the beauty of the Cow!
JS
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sounds like something to check into if it happens again. On a shoot yesterday the other guy is having the same problem and I’ll let him know about this. but the original post still lurks……the only way owner/operators are going to get Panasonic to change their policy on parts and availability is to talk about it in a place where a lot of people can participate. The cow is one of those places. I’m not saying we should pile on but concerns need to be addressed. Call Roger Macie and ask him about the difficulty he has when he needs Panasonic parts. I’m told that Panasonic has sold more 900s than both models of the VariCam combined, and I’m sure that there is a 900 in my future. But if we cannot be assured that we cannot get our units repaired then what is alternative? I was hoping that we might hear from Steve and Jeff on this. I’m sure they have heard this before and I’m sure they have relayed it up the chain but what is it going to take to get some response? Panasonic has some good stuff in the field its just too bad that there is more and more of it in the shop.
RegardsDale West
Dale West Video
12225 NE 13th Court
North Miami, FL 33161
305-892-1201
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