View Full Version : Grrr Pen-F order from Keh
I bought a Pen-F, 38/1.8, 50-90/3.5 and a field case,
I got the order this morning, the body fired fine at first, but soon as I put on either the 38/1.8 or 50-90/3.5, the mirror would lock up 95% of the time, and I'd have to take the lens off and nudge the mirror just a lil further and it would retract to it's original position.
Also the shutter dial was extremely stiff to turn.
And to top it off the field case which was described as a Pen-F case didn't even fit the PenF , the tripod socket was on the wrong side of the field case (in the middle on case, but actual socket is off to the right on the camera).
*sigh*
Send it to Camtech for a cla. Any camera that age needs it. They specialize in Olympus. zuiko.com.
Did you call KEH and let them know you are not happy?
Bob
They would take it back, but any 40, or near 40 year-old camera you buy is still gonna need a cla.
They would take it back, but any 40, or near 40 year-old camera you buy is still gonna need a cla.
Obviously, but I would expect it to work if they sold it as "working". (ie: anything above UG)
I emailed them, didn't hear back yet.
shadowfox
01-10-2008, 07:15
I would return it to KEH and continue searching.
I have two Pen-FT's from the 'bay and none of them requires CLA to work.
I would return it to KEH and continue searching.
I have two Pen-FT's from the 'bay and none of them requires CLA to work.
If I do return it I'll probably exchange for the other one they had, however I'm wondering if it's the lens (like sticky aperture returning to full open) instead of the body.
I used to have an FT, but I'm wanting an original F (brighter viewfinder)
warren1960
01-10-2008, 07:17
This kind of "combination problem" is not uncommon with the Pens. In my experience (2 bodies and 5 or 6 lenses) the culprit is the lens aperture lever, which had become stiff over time. By gently feeling the resistance of the lever I noticed the problem lenses took much more finger pressure to stop down than the other lenses. I only attempted one repair (to a 40/1.4) but by cleaning up all the aperture mechanics the lens/body combination worked just fine.
A good indicator of the problem is the mirror cycling fine with the lens wide open or nearly so, but not when the lens is stopped down.
Ball bearing shutters and whale oil lube, LOL. No wonder people like the Nikon F.
M. Valdemar
01-10-2008, 07:39
I once called an escort service and the girl brought those exact two things. Had a wonderful time.
Ball bearing shutters and whale oil lube, LOL. No wonder people like the Nikon F.
Well at least the CanonP that came int he same order is working just fine. I'm starting to think its just the lens and not the body. As the body can always fire fine, just not when you put the 38/1.8 on, and half the time when you put the UG 50-90 on.
Both my PEN FT and FV work very smooth, quiet and precisely at all speeds. I have heard a few stories of non working PEN F but none about non-working FT or FV. The second version has a redesigned shutter. My Canon RF all working like new with the exception of the V-L (the oldest). About 3/4 of all Pentax S series cameras are still working. It take more than 100,000 of shots to kill a Nikon F shutter. There are bad designs, and bad ones. Good designs nearly last forever.
Buying from a professional dealer and paying a premium price is fine, but then I expect 1) some better material than average, and 2) that it looks and works exactly as described, or better. But my experience is that both it isn't the case very often. About 90% of my cameras are bought from non professional sellers, but I do ask questions if anything isn't clear to me and I never buy from "found it somewhere, looks great and should work, but dunno nothing bout cameras".
cheers, Frank
Honestly I think its the lens now, its very slow to close the apertuer at times when I poke at the level with my finger. I would have expected that to be mentioned. Question becomes, do I take it to the local repair guy to be cleaned (the lens) for possibly 30$, or do I return it for 10$ of my shipping, then pay for an "EX" one for 70$ then pay 12$ of shipping again to get that one back.
Least I know peters can easily clean up a lens, but in the past he won't touch Pen-F/FT (or least I think he said he won't touch their shutters).
Buying from a professional dealer and paying a premium price is fine, but then I expect 1) some better material than average, and 2) that it looks and works exactly as described, or better. But my experience is that both it isn't the case very often. About 90% of my cameras are bought from non professional sellers, but I do ask questions if anything isn't clear to me and I never buy from "found it somewhere, looks great and should work, but dunno nothing bout cameras".
cheers, Frank
Working in a camera store and listing things online regularly for them, I'm familiar with this, especially since we don't want a return because something was not delivered as described.
Well they got back with me, I sent the following.
got the Order today, however there was a problem with the order.
1) Whenever mounting the 38/1.8 or the 50-90/3.5 I ordered onto the Pen-F, after firing a shot the mirror sticks in the closed position until I remove the lens, and tap the mirror to make it retract back to it's original position. The camera will fire and return without a lens, but not with either lens on it as a result it's not a "working" camera in my opinion.
2) The BGN 38/1.8 I ordered for the Pen-F has sticky aperture blades and seriously needs cleaning. If I push the aperture lever with my finger and let go, the aperture blades retract very very slowly sometimes taking over a second to retract back to wide open. (which is probably causing the problem with #1, tho the 50-90 causes the problem too...)
3) The shutter dial on the Pen F is extremely stiff to turn, takes quite a bit of effort to do so.
4) The field case I ordered for the "PenF" doesn't fit the Pen F I received, the tripod screw is in the middle of the case, as opposed to the side where it should be for the camera.
But at least the Canon P seems to be in working order as described on the site. But I need to know what I can do about this PenF outfit...
-Karl
Hi,
Please return the defective items for a refund. We do not use RA numbers, but please send a copy of your yellow sales invoice and the lens to:
KEH Camera
Attn: Returns
2310 Marietta Boulevard
Atlanta, GA 30318
I have noted the reason for return in your customer file. In the event of a KEH error, return shipping up to $10.00 will also be reimbursed. A refund will be issued to your Master Card.
Thanks,
Laura
Course having previously noticed they have 60-day warranties on used items on their site I sent this back in reply.
Hello Laura,
Is repair or exchange a possibility? (on the 38/1.8 and/or PenF and case)
-Karl
Ideally I'd like a repair over a refund, because least with a repair I'll know its been serviced, where as refunding and shopping again I'd be taking a gamble again.
It is not very difficult to get to the aperture mechanism of the lens,
just take the lens mount off.
Plus you really want a 40/1.4 or 42/1.2 :)
shadowfox
01-10-2008, 13:52
If I do return it I'll probably exchange for the other one they had, however I'm wondering if it's the lens (like sticky aperture returning to full open) instead of the body.
I used to have an FT, but I'm wanting an original F (brighter viewfinder)
I see, FWIW, if you want brighter viewfinder you'd be better off looking for an FV. The shutter mechanism on the Pen F are not as reliable as the newer FT/FV (hence the updated versions).
I know, FV is rare, me personally, would rather have a black Pen FT :)
Plus you really want a 40/1.4 or 42/1.2 :)
Why the 40/1.4... it's softer thn the 38/1.8 and the 42 is even more so (ie: it's just faster)
I once called an escort service and the girl brought those exact two things. Had a wonderful time.
That requires more than one acknowledgement!! A great comeback.
I bow to you:cool: .
I wonder if its normal for them to stop responding, I should pack it up and send it back with a copy of the receipt before its too late. Probably just give up on this one and think about a pen-f again later down the road.
rogue_designer
01-18-2008, 12:54
I wonder if its normal for them to stop responding, I should pack it up and send it back with a copy of the receipt before its too late. Probably just give up on this one and think about a pen-f again later down the road.
Call them. Much better response in my experience.
Have you called Laura (or one of her colleagues) on the phone. Might make it easier to discuss your discontent and potential options. I wouldn't expect much in terms of "repair credit", though... it was a bargain-rated lens.
Have you called Laura (or one of her colleagues) on the phone. Might make it easier to discuss your discontent and potential options. I wouldn't expect much in terms of "repair credit", though... it was a bargain-rated lens.
Bargain means "working"
All used equipment is guaranteed to work, regardless of its cosmetic condition and is covered by KEH’s 60 day warranty.
"Bargain" 70-79% of original condition. Shows more than average wear. May have dents, dings and a goodly amount of brassing and finish loss. Glass may have marks that should not affect picture quality.
I wouldn't call the lens working. And well if you can't get a repair, what good is a warranty? I paid for a working lens, I don't think it would be fair to me to only be given the option of "paying the difference" for a more expensive lens when I was already paying for a working lens. It's working for what I paid, or it's all going back.
In any case I am unable to call, not like the prepay phone has much minutes. And why do I need to call if I am going to go ahead and return it anyways. Besides being hearing impaired I rely on email or instant messenger.
Thanks Gumby, I sent another email this time to the general service@keh.com email, explaining the situation, and how the last representiave I talked to still had not responded after 2 weeks and two additional emails directly to her. I explained what I was not happy about, and also wanted to confirm that if I sent the order back of the return would be honored. I don't want to send something back only to have them tell me "oops sorry you waited to long" when I was still waiting for confirmation from a rep. I also explained to them that I was unable to call due to my hearing impairment. Hopefully a email to the general service@ email address will get received and answered.
Honestly I never had a problem with them in the past and I'd still recomend them to this day but I dunno , perhaps Post-holiday stress just kicks in. I got 230$ish worth of merchandise sitting next to me that I can't use, and afraid to just send it back without a definite "ok" from them in fear of having to pay both shipping there and shipping back plus more time batting my head around it. And its not like you can find anyone now days to service them without twisting an arm (particularly the body).
Apparently, KEH isn't what it used to be. I recently ordered two Leicas from them, and had to return both. One actually had a loose screw rattling inside the film chamber! That, and a defective shutter. The other had a noticably fuzzy viewfinder - not what you expect on a Leica. Anyway, they were very nice on the phone and I did end up getting my money back, but I learned that unlike in the past, the people you speak with on the phone are nowhere near the warehouse where the cameras are, and all they know is the same stuff you can read on their website. I asked if they could at least look at a couple of the other options and tell me about them, and they said that as of a few months ago, they sales operation is in a different location and salespeople have no access to the cameras, nor can they provide any information beyond serial number, and even that would take a couple of days. I was quite dissapointed, given the great stuff I heard about KEH and their reliability.
I still have my first camera, a scale-focus Olympus Pen S, and wanted to get back into shooting half-frame, but finding reliable gear has been hard, and I don't feel comfortable with ordering from KEH again. Amazingly, that old Pen S still works fine, never having had any sort of service since the sixties. Wish I could say the same for myself.;)
Apparently, KEH isn't what it used to be. ... I asked if they could at least look at a couple of the other options and tell me about them, and they said that as of a few months ago, they sales operation is in a different location and salespeople have no access to the cameras, nor can they provide any information beyond serial number, and even that would take a couple of days. I was quite dissapointed, given the great stuff I heard about KEH and their reliability.
That's interesting that you say that
I too have bought from them a number of times in the past years, and it used to be I could email them right up , asking specifically what made an item "ugly" , and they'd go and check it out and get back with me within half a day and say something like "it has fungus" or "just a serial number engraved on the side".
Did they perhaps outsource their call center and hook them up to their product database at the warehouse?
I am at least glad that the Canon P which was marked as EX (though not *quite* what EX used to be from them oddly enough though I'm still very happy with it) which came in the same order seems to work just fine and with my lens and such, I been missing the feel of a P (likewise the Pen-F but it 'dun work') so not a total lost.
It's almost closing time here at the store haven't had a response just yet automated or otherwise, I probably won't get one til monday but I'll keep posted. Hopefully it'll be a simple return and be done with it, but I'm afraid to just go ahead and send it in fear of some kind of policy discreperency.
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