Contax Worldwide Warranty

[ian2u]

I live in UK but go to California frequently, US prices are about 70% of UK ones. Is the warranty worldwide, will Contax sort out a problem in UK if I bought the camera in the US?
Also does anyone know where you can rent in UK lenses for a Contax Aria for a few weeks. I would like to rent a longer zoom for my holiday, cant aford to buy one?
Thanks
Ian

 

[writing4me]

Ian, I don't know anything about the warranty. But where will you be when you want to rent? We used to have Helix Photoart in downtown Milwaukee that rented pro gear quite reasonably. The Milwaukee office went out of business 6 months ago, but they still have offices in other cities, Chicago for sure. I can find their web address if you'd like. Good luck. Lynn

 

[writing4me]

Ian, I'm sorry I was slightly wrong! Helix's only store now is in Chicago. I can't find any in other cities. Sorry. But if you're in Chicago here is the link:

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-Lynn

 

[writing4me]

Sorry for filling up the list with too many emails. Ian - one last post - I forgot that Calumet has many offices in the US. They do rentals. I like Calumet - except they tend to be priced a bit higher than some. Good service though. Here's their link:

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They're in: New York, Chicago/Bensenville, Los Angeles, Cambridge,San Francisco, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara

(My last post today!)

 

[colin]

Ian,As long as you buy the Contax equipment from a legit, dealer and get the International Wty, I don't see a problem.(stay away from grey market, i year dealer wtys,etc.) Why not contact Kyocera/Contax in Reading,Berks and ask them. If you need their phone/fax, I can give it to you.

While I think the above should be factual, I do know that Leica refused to honour their so called international wty. I purchased a new R6 from the largest Leica dealer in Germany and when I went to make a warranty claim here in Canada, I was denied. Although it was later sorted out(Leica changed distributors in the meantime), I was left dissatified and disillusioned. Letters to to both Germany and USA remain unanswered!! I sold all my Leica gear(3 bodies. 9 lenses, etc) (except my M6) and went over to Contax (after 25 years of Leica) and have abolutely no regrets. When Leica, or any other company, charge a premium price for (admittedly)a premium product,the customer should expect and receive a premium service. I believe Leica's warranty ends at the factory gates!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for the rant

Colin

 

[John_bird]

Hi Ian have an internation wawarranty in front of me and on the revers it states:-
NOTE

Please send all contax products and carl zeiss lenses with contax/yashica mount, requiring repair to the station below:

CONTAX-NORTH AMERICA HEADQUARTERS
Kyocera Optics Inc
2301-200 Cottontail Lane
Somerset, NY 08873 U.S.A.

Inside it states:-

This Contax product, designed through mutual cooperation of Carl Zeiss, Germany and Kyocera Corporation, Japan, is warranted to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original purchase if purchased in North America. It is warranted by:

Kyocera Optics Inc
2301-200 Cottontail Lane
Somerset, NY 08873 U.S.A.

So from the above (in apsence of further information) I would infer that you would have to return it to America for warranty.

 

[John_bird]

just a p.s to last post Pelling and Cross use to (rent contax) but I'm not sure that they still exist they used to be in the west-end so if you look in the phone book they may be listed.

John

 

[colin]

Ian, I have an International Warranty in front of me in respect of my 45mm lens for my C645
The warranty with all Contax cameras/lenses bought from USA and Canada dealers is 3 years and yes you would need to send it back to the USA or Canada. However, packed with the equipment is their International Warranty for 1 year and under note 2 it states "If the product becomes defective during the validity period of the warranty, to send the warranty card and the defective product to the repair stations shown in the list herewith." There are 1 1/2 pages of repair stations and for the UK it is Kyocera Yashica (UK) Ltd in Reading, Berks.
So what you really have is a 3 year North American Warranty (return to USA/Canada) &/or a 1 year International Warranty honoured at any of their repair stations. Still, I'd give Reading a call
Colin
ps If you can get to Oregon (north of California) there is no sales tax. I can recommend Cameraworld in Portland.(No association; just am pleased with their service and have bought much Contax equipment from them.They offer NY prices from my experience).
Someone had informed this site that they were no longer in business, however, I know that not to be true and in fact was in their store last Monday! You can also contact them at cameraworld.com

 

[chyeo]

Hi I'm currently located in Singapore, Asia. Does Contax provide international warranty here too?

 

[jc3]

HI CHYEO
I believe they do. Bought my N1 outfit from HK through Singapore importers/camera shop. Sent my lens to Kyocera for dust problem and lens creep. You have to get in touch with Japan. Seems to me the local agent have to do the same at least for the N.
If you need further info my email is artedomus @hotmail.com

 

[pino69]

Hi! I live in Italy where Contax prices are really HIGH ! I'm considering to buy a Contax Aria and some CZ prime lenses from Adorama.com web site.

My question (and curiosity) are:
a) is there an international warranty valid for Italy if I bought from US?
b) in your opinion, for someone who lives in Italy is it a good thing to buy Contax gear from US through the web?

Best regards,
Pino69 from Naples (Italy)