Panasonic 100-400 mm lens: Anyone have any experience with Panasonic Corp regarding repairs- returns, defective camera equipment? I purchased the Panasonic Leica 100-400 mm lens just...

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Anyone have any experience with Panasonic Corp regarding repairs- returns, defective camera equipment? I purchased the Panasonic Leica 100-400 mm lens just under 2 years ago. I thought I might be having some intermittent focusing problems so I sent it in to their repair facility in McClean Texas for a look-see. Communication from them was sparse to say the least but the upshot is that the lens is not repairable due to dust inside which is causing the focusing issues. Apparently the seals did not do their job or are defective (or both). The lens is out of warranty and so the cost is mine. The cost quoted for repair was just under 1800.00. Anyone have any suggestions for followup with Panasonic ? I have never spent that much money on a lens and it was advertised as weather sealed - woe is me!! Actually I am just sick about this. The lens was not abused, not dropped, used a lot but taken care of.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

If you bought it with a credit card, read the card's fine print. It may "double" the warranty. I had a broken Sony P&S that was out of warranty. Visa had me do some paperwork and pay to have the camera fixed. Then Visa sent me a check.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

bsprague wrote:

If you bought it with a credit card, read the card's fine print. It may "double" the warranty. I had a broken Sony P&S that was out of warranty. Visa had me do some paperwork and pay to have the camera fixed. Then Visa sent me a check.

I'll check and thanks but I think I used PayPal Credit.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

You should contact Panasonic via their FB page. That is unacceptable.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I'll take a look. The person as the customer service center acted like it was no big thing that the lens failed-
I do have a corporate address to send a letter to for whatever good that will do. Still worth a try.

tdekany wrote:

You should contact Panasonic via their FB page. That is unacceptable.

rayr

If it's out of warranty, have you thought about trying someone else to do the repair that may be cheaper. I bought my 100-400 Panasonic from B&H, and if I have that issue, I would contact them first to see if they could fix it.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Under the circumstances the McClean Tx facility is really saying the lens is not repairable- no one would authorize repair services for the same amount that a new lens costs. So I don't think I would seek repair of the lens anywhere. I will try to sell it for parts and see where that goes. Thanks.

rayr wrote:

If it's out of warranty, have you thought about trying someone else to do the repair that may be cheaper. I bought my 100-400 Panasonic from B&H, and if I have that issue, I would contact them first to see if they could fix it.

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

Good god that’s ridiculous that a lens that expensive, and relatively new, should be a paper weight.
I’m truly chagrined, on just your experience alone I would never get one, and I shoot mft. But have FT 50-200, I wanted that lens you have, not now.

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

So sorry for your problems here. An $1800 lens should not be unrepairable after less than 2 years of ownership. Since Panasonic refuses to do anything about it, that really says something to me about their support of what I would call high end customers. I would not stop hounding them and would suggest seeing if the retailer where you purchased the lens can provide any assistance.

AntonioReyna Loc: Los Angeles, California

It is ridiculous that you would spend that much on a lens from a major manufacturer and that it would basically fail in 2 years. Panasonic should stand behind their product and fix it or get you a new one. Good luck on this.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

To everyone- I have written message to Panasonic on their FB page describing the problem- waiting for a reply back. I have written a letter to Panasonic Corporate HQ describing the issue and what I hope they will do about it. It will go in the mail today. I rewrote my consumer review on Adorama describing the problem but the review has not even been posted yet. I am not really hopeful that anything I do will really make any difference but you never know so it's worth a try. I will check into PayPal Credit to see if there is any help there but the lens has been long paid for so don't think they can/will do anything. Thank you for your concern and suggestions. Appreciate the support.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

suntouched wrote:

Under the circumstances the McClean Tx facility is really saying the lens is not repairable- no one would authorize repair services for the same amount that a new lens costs. So I don't think I would seek repair of the lens anywhere. I will try to sell it for parts and see where that goes. Thanks.

"the McClean Tx facility is really saying the lens is not repairable"

Do I remember that you once posted trouble with the lens falling off the camera?

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

bsprague wrote:

"the McClean Tx facility is really saying the lens is not repairable"

Do I remember that you once posted trouble with the lens falling off the camera?

The rep told me that it was not repairable when I called. The email I got from them quoted the repair price of just under 1800.00.s Communication at the service center is not their strong suit. The lens fell off a couple of times but each time I caught it in mid air so it never fell to the ground. After that I no longer carried it by the strap when the lens was attached but carried it in a bag instead.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Do you think the person you sold it to damaged it?

davyboy Loc: Anoka Mn.

Flickwet wrote:

Good god that’s ridiculous that a lens that expensive, and relatively new, should be a paper weight.
I’m truly chagrined, on just your experience alone I would never get one, and I shoot mft. But have FT 50-200, I wanted that lens you have, not now.

I don’t think all lens should be judged by just one bad one. There are thousands of those lens in use. I feel bad for the experience with Panasonic. That’s my biggest fear having to deal with these big companies long distance