Who else repairs Kodak DCS cameras

marcus_wilson · #8 01-10-2006, 01:09 PM

I have a Kodak DCS 520 which has been to Kodak for the notorious "BC" problem. Kodak says there is no problem but the camera still doesn't work. I have only 4700 acuations on it but it sits useless on the self because I can't get it fixed. I also was victimized by the $150.00 "Yep, its broke!" charge. Surely there has to be someone on this side of the pond who can fix this?

James_Bemus · #9 01-10-2006, 04:53 PM

Hi Pam,

I'm sorry you feel there were problems with how your repair was handled.

Please realize your camera was not lost. You shipped it in without getting a repair authorization, and as a result it went to a central sorting facility. Kodak has 4 campuses in Rochester with over 200 buildings. You called us about your camera on 11/14/05, and we had your camera in our repair center on 11/16/05. Kodak has a 10 business day turn-around time for out of warranty pro cameras.

Kodak did offer to repair the camera, but you declined the repair. Understandably, as it would have been more than the cost of a new camera. The camera had extensive liquid damage inside. Since Kodak has to warranty the repairs we make all of the camera electronic components would have to be replaced. I'm really sorry if that was not clearly explained to you. Also any requests for further contact would have been passed to me but I was not contacted.

I'd be happy to talk to you about it if that would be helpful! Let me know what I might be able to do for you at this point.

marcus_wilson · #10 03-02-2006, 02:19 PM

Adios Kodak.
Alas, I knew you well!

My saga to repair my DCS 520 ends today as I can no longer get my batteries to charge. I still didn't get my camera repaired by Kodak and the dreaded "bc" issue was never resolved, although Kodak did tell me the camera was fine when it was in their shop. Not to complain, I held out hope. But last night I was in a large consumer electronic store and looking at the new Kodak consumer didgital cameras and my wife asked me if I was going to buy one. Without thinking, I said, "Nope, they break too easily and their repair service is crappy." A young sales associate stepped up and said, "Kodak is one of the oldest and best camera makers ever, they started digital photography." I looked at him and asked, "Have you ever heard of the DCS 520?" "Is it made by Kodak?" "Yes, it came out in 1997." "Oh, well, that's ancient!" "It's a wonder it even works!" he said. "It doesn't, and since I paid more than $1400., I would like to get it fixed, but Kodak won't help me." "Of course not! You have to buy a newer camera!" he said.
It was at that moment I realized I was going to buy a new camera...but not a Kodak.

PaulSharpe · #11 03-12-2006, 10:59 AM

Was it that you could not get your nine year old discontinued camera repaired, or that you did not want to pay for it?

marcus_wilson · #12 03-23-2006, 02:26 PM

At the time it was only six years old and I bought it in December 2002. It went wacko in December 2003. (Three days after the warranty expired!) I sent the camera to Kodak who wanted to charge me $150.00 to tell me that it was broke and it would cost $758.00 to fix. So... to make a long story short, its not worth the money. The thing that gets me is that I have seen Kodak DCS cameras on ebay with the same problem--a blinking "bc." The cameras functions until you try to take a photo. I've heard of this problem in other forums on the Internet so I think this is a problem that should have been handled by a recall. However, since Kodak is no longer in the Professional camera business, I now have a $1500 doorstop.

PaulSharpe · #13 03-25-2006, 10:43 AM

So it is about price of repairs... BC may mean that the main board was damaged and requires replacement.

Mike_Sturk · #14 03-26-2006, 01:09 PM

People with customer service problems with Kodak should be dealing with Kodak directly since forum members cannot help with this. The original post asks about alternative repair suggestions and these would be more useful here.