Hi David,
Send it back, sounds like they missed out the refurbishing bit = completely!! I bought an RTSIII last year with all the symptoms you describe plus a = dim viewfinder. It also completely froze on me a couple of times requiring = the film to be removed and re-loaded before functioning within a week of = getting it. I found it really frustrating, so I contacted the shop I got it = from and sent it back for a refund. It was a very early RTSIII (at low serial = number) and looked like it had seen many years of hard work! I then bought a = new one from a different shop, I was worried about spending all that exra money = but could not have been happier!! What a difference, bright viewfinder and = a real solid reliable feel, as you would expect, a truly fantastic = camera. I never regretted spending the extra (would have been around $1000 or = =A3650 more).=20
The problem with getting it repaired under warranty is that they will = try to keep their costs down, so rather than replace the swithches or anything = else requred they will try to just clean them. If it were to go for a proper kyocera refurbishment then that may be much better but I doubt that = would happen especially given that it was already advertised as such. If you = can stretch to a new one, however painful it may seem now, I think you will = be so glad once you have a new RTSIII in your hands... I was!!
Cheers,
Art
David wrote:
Help! I have just received a used "factory refurbished" RTSiii from a well known US distributor. Besides it looking a little rougher than my interpretation of 9+ (not a big deal)I have a few problems. Firstly, as you hold the camera and rotate it are you supposed to hear something loose inside? SOunds like the film pressure plate moves around. Hardly the "rock" like feel I was counting on! Also, it takes anywhere from 2 to 25 stabs at the release to turn on the viewfinder display with the main switch on (same if you use the vertical release or the exposure check). Under these circumstances(main switch on, no display in the finder)the camera will not function - ie. takin glonger than 16 seconds to set up a shot after metering means when I press the button on my remote release switch the shutter does not function, and i have to tap away to turn on the finder display then fire the shutter. The point of my post - I have to decide wether to send it back for replacement (and who knows what a used replacement body might look/function like), send it back and cough up another $1000 for a new one ( I WILL have an RTSIII!!) or have it repaired under warranty. Maybe someone out there has had similar expereinces and can give me some guidance. Thanks in advance.
