Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more at DVinfo.net

Bruce S. Yarock · September 26th, 2016, 04:34 PM

Until recently, Sony had a number for pro cameras and parts. We lost my viewfinder clamp after a job, and I spent over an hour calling one number after another looking for info.
Apparently, Sony has joined the rest of the cheapskates ( like manfrotto )and is now out sourcing everything.
Bh gave me a number which gave me another number, and on and on.
I talked to people in several different countries, none of whom knew anything. I spoke to someone in India, Slovenia, El Salvador and I think one number was a restaurant in Shanghai .
I called back bh, waited for customer service, and after explaining my futile search, they gave me the number of Union Electronics in Chicago. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Does anyone know where I can get ( quickly) the stock viewfinder clamp, or something that will work the same way?
Thanks
Bruce Yarock
www.videoproductionfirtlauderdale.com

Bruce S. Yarock · September 26th, 2016, 04:35 PM

Forgot to mention that it's for my fs7
Bruce

Mark Watson · September 26th, 2016, 06:13 PM

I've been using this replacement rod clamp for at least 6 months. I find it a big improvement over the original design. It lets you loosen each rod independently so the EVF doesn't go flopping around. One criticism is that the tightening levers could be smaller, so they permit more mounting positions. Works good if you keep the EVF pushed out to the front.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._15mm_rod.html

I got this Vocas adapter also, but like the simpler Revo clamp better.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._for_sony.html

Mark

Bruce S. Yarock · September 27th, 2016, 12:13 AM

Thanks, Mark. If I can't find the original Sony clamp I'll buy the $30 unit at bh. Interesting that when I asked them if they could reccomend a replacement, they said "no"
Any idea what's happened to Sony?
Bruce Yarock
VIDEO PRODUCTION FORT LAUDERDALE, SOUTH FLORIDA|MIAMI|PALM BEACH AREA

Mark Watson · September 27th, 2016, 05:32 AM

Sorry, I'm not in Japan right now, otherwise I'd drop by the Sony showroom in Tokyo to see if they could help. I assume you tried the Sony web-site, support section, and didn't get anywhere. Weird. I bet the original part is more than $30.

Mark

Doug Jensen · September 27th, 2016, 06:42 AM

Did you try calling Sony's Product Operation Support Center (POSC)?
800-883-6817

If so, why didn't you get satisfaction?

Bruce S. Yarock · September 27th, 2016, 12:05 PM

Doug,
Thanks for the info.
I was able to reach someone on that number. It's one of Sony's call centers in the Philippines .
After about 30 minutes, the guy figured out what I was looking for. He sent me several diagrams and finally the correct one.
They have the viewfinder clamp divided into all the minute parts, the the total cost is around $170!!!
I ordered the aftermarket Vevo piece from bh for $30.
I do think I'll order the service/parts manual from Sony fairly soon.
Btw, while the parts and pro number goes to the Philipines, the parts ship from California.
But no phone in Cal.
Bruce Yarock

Bruce S. Yarock · September 28th, 2016, 07:32 PM

I just got the replacement clamp recommended by Mark
Works great.
Thanks
Bruce Yarock

September 26th, 2016, 04:34 PM	#1
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more Until recently, Sony had a number for pro cameras and parts. We lost my viewfinder clamp after a job, and I spent over an hour calling one number after another looking for info. Apparently, Sony has joined the rest of the cheapskates ( like manfrotto )and is now out sourcing everything. Bh gave me a number which gave me another number, and on and on. I talked to people in several different countries, none of whom knew anything. I spoke to someone in India, Slovenia, El Salvador and I think one number was a restaurant in Shanghai . I called back bh, waited for customer service, and after explaining my futile search, they gave me the number of Union Electronics in Chicago. I'm still waiting to hear back from them. Has anyone else experienced this? Does anyone know where I can get ( quickly) the stock viewfinder clamp, or something that will work the same way? Thanks Bruce Yarock www.videoproductionfirtlauderdale.com

September 26th, 2016, 04:35 PM	#2
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Re: Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more Forgot to mention that it's for my fs7 Bruce

September 26th, 2016, 06:13 PM	#3
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more I've been using this replacement rod clamp for at least 6 months. I find it a big improvement over the original design. It lets you loosen each rod independently so the EVF doesn't go flopping around. One criticism is that the tightening levers could be smaller, so they permit more mounting positions. Works good if you keep the EVF pushed out to the front. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._15mm_rod.html I got this Vocas adapter also, but like the simpler Revo clamp better. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._for_sony.html Mark

September 27th, 2016, 12:13 AM	#4
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Re: Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more Thanks, Mark. If I can't find the original Sony clamp I'll buy the $30 unit at bh. Interesting that when I asked them if they could reccomend a replacement, they said "no" Any idea what's happened to Sony? Bruce Yarock VIDEO PRODUCTION FORT LAUDERDALE, SOUTH FLORIDA\|MIAMI\|PALM BEACH AREA

September 27th, 2016, 05:32 AM	#5
Mark Watson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Whidbey Island Posts: 873	Re: Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more Sorry, I'm not in Japan right now, otherwise I'd drop by the Sony showroom in Tokyo to see if they could help. I assume you tried the Sony web-site, support section, and didn't get anywhere. Weird. I bet the original part is more than $30. Mark

September 27th, 2016, 06:42 AM	#6
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,442	Re: Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more Did you try calling Sony's Product Operation Support Center (POSC)? 800-883-6817 If so, why didn't you get satisfaction? __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

September 27th, 2016, 12:05 PM	#7
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Re: Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more Doug, Thanks for the info. I was able to reach someone on that number. It's one of Sony's call centers in the Philippines . After about 30 minutes, the guy figured out what I was looking for. He sent me several diagrams and finally the correct one. They have the viewfinder clamp divided into all the minute parts, the the total cost is around $170!!! I ordered the aftermarket Vevo piece from bh for $30. I do think I'll order the service/parts manual from Sony fairly soon. Btw, while the parts and pro number goes to the Philipines, the parts ship from California. But no phone in Cal. Bruce Yarock

September 28th, 2016, 07:32 PM	#8
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Re: Can't find Sony pro service and parts any more I just got the replacement clamp recommended by Mark Works great. Thanks Bruce Yarock