PD-150 went south today :(

Robert Martens · July 5th, 2006, 05:58 PM

I know this thread's a bit old, but I wasn't sure where else to put this; I just want to add my name to the list of incredibly satisfied Armato's customers.

My VX2000 had been in a state of disrepair for some months, and when I got a little money together I decided to pay attention to the various things I'd heard on this board (Mike Rehmus and Craig Seeman, I'm looking at you). Got an estimate within a week, it went back to Sony (it was a state of serious "disrepair"), returned shortly thereafter. I got it home to find the zoom ring still non functional. A quick call to Cookie--she apologized for the oversight, though it wasn't their fault--and I brought the camera back in a couple days later. It got repaired, and I picked it up today.

Dealing with Cookie and Bob in the repair department was an absolute pleasure, the store has a very friendly feel (and smell, too), and is run by my kind of people. I can't recommend them enough as far as repair is concerned, and only wish they were a sponsor here so I could say more.

Oh, and if you want a sandwich or drink from the two delis across the street (in adjacent storefronts), go to the one with the blue awning; inside scoop is they've been around longer.

Joe Barker · July 5th, 2006, 06:47 PM

I know that exact feeling as you watched your camera hit the deck.I was recently filming outdoors and watched helplessly as a strong wind gust came up and toppled my tripod over.The dollar signs flashed before my eyes as the lense of my JVC speared into the ground.

Mike Rehmus · July 5th, 2006, 06:53 PM

It always pays to anchor your tripod with something like the camera bag. Just hang it around the legs or some tripods have a hook under the center column just for this type of arrangement.

About every other wedding, someone who's had a few too many manages to stumble into my tripod. That's when I appreciate the heavy Bogens. Had I been using the carbon fiber tripod, everything would have been history.

John Harmon · July 19th, 2006, 09:07 PM

Well, looks like my saga is finally over. Got the camera back (AGAIN!) today. Seems they missed a loose connector on that blue CCD when they worked on it before. I got a sincere apology from Cookie; they replaced the connector for free and ate the return shipping cost. I'm still a little ticked that I had to pay a second time to ship it back there, but they did make it right. I still would do business with them and recommend them to others.

Thank God it's back - I have two shoots this weekend and two more next weekend, and I've grown to HATE that VX1000.

James Connors · July 29th, 2006, 07:37 AM

My PD150 fell thru my rucksack and onto concrete. It didn't even scratch, it just needed a quick reset and it was all back and running. I was petrified at the time, I certainly couldn't afford a full service. Tough things them 150s!

Simon Antoniou · August 1st, 2006, 10:10 AM

What kind of price should I be paying for a PD150 these days? I have found £1150ovno. Which comes with all standard extras plus the Canon WA lens.

any help
thanks

July 5th, 2006, 06:53 PM	#18
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	It always pays to anchor your tripod with something like the camera bag. Just hang it around the legs or some tripods have a hook under the center column just for this type of arrangement. About every other wedding, someone who's had a few too many manages to stumble into my tripod. That's when I appreciate the heavy Bogens. Had I been using the carbon fiber tripod, everything would have been history. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

July 19th, 2006, 09:07 PM	#19
John Harmon Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Warren, Michigan, USA Posts: 96	Well, looks like my saga is finally over. Got the camera back (AGAIN!) today. Seems they missed a loose connector on that blue CCD when they worked on it before. I got a sincere apology from Cookie; they replaced the connector for free and ate the return shipping cost. I'm still a little ticked that I had to pay a second time to ship it back there, but they did make it right. I still would do business with them and recommend them to others. Thank God it's back - I have two shoots this weekend and two more next weekend, and I've grown to HATE that VX1000. Last edited by John Harmon; July 19th, 2006 at 10:30 PM.

July 5th, 2006, 05:58 PM	#16
Robert Martens Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 820	I know this thread's a bit old, but I wasn't sure where else to put this; I just want to add my name to the list of incredibly satisfied Armato's customers. My VX2000 had been in a state of disrepair for some months, and when I got a little money together I decided to pay attention to the various things I'd heard on this board (Mike Rehmus and Craig Seeman, I'm looking at you). Got an estimate within a week, it went back to Sony (it was a state of serious "disrepair"), returned shortly thereafter. I got it home to find the zoom ring still non functional. A quick call to Cookie--she apologized for the oversight, though it wasn't their fault--and I brought the camera back in a couple days later. It got repaired, and I picked it up today. Dealing with Cookie and Bob in the repair department was an absolute pleasure, the store has a very friendly feel (and smell, too), and is run by my kind of people. I can't recommend them enough as far as repair is concerned, and only wish they were a sponsor here so I could say more. Oh, and if you want a sandwich or drink from the two delis across the street (in adjacent storefronts), go to the one with the blue awning; inside scoop is they've been around longer.

July 5th, 2006, 06:47 PM	#17
Joe Barker Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Perth WA Australia Posts: 124	I know that exact feeling as you watched your camera hit the deck.I was recently filming outdoors and watched helplessly as a strong wind gust came up and toppled my tripod over.The dollar signs flashed before my eyes as the lense of my JVC speared into the ground.

July 29th, 2006, 07:37 AM	#20
James Connors Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 223	My PD150 fell thru my rucksack and onto concrete. It didn't even scratch, it just needed a quick reset and it was all back and running. I was petrified at the time, I certainly couldn't afford a full service. Tough things them 150s!

August 1st, 2006, 10:10 AM	#21
Simon Antoniou Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 73	What kind of price should I be paying for a PD150 these days? I have found £1150ovno. Which comes with all standard extras plus the Canon WA lens. any help thanks