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Samsung Service UK?

Started Jun 20, 2012 | Discussions
Auster Pilot Senior Member • Posts: 1,222
Samsung Service UK?

Hi,

I made a mistake and put the wrong flash on my NX100 (a legacy Cobra Zoom Auto-Thyristor). It fried the flash circuitry - but not anything else thankfully. I'm thinking of sending it to Samsung for repair.

Has anyone any experience of similar repairs on an NX100? If so:

How much did it cost?
How long did they need it for?
Were there any issues after the repair?

My own fault, but I don't understand it as I had checked the Trigger Voltage* before using the flash on my GX-10 and it was only 3.5V so I'm surprised it caused any damage. I didn't intend using it on the NX100 until I was a bit more certain about it. Oops!

I may not bother as I don't use it with the Samsung flash much but if I want to sell it again it would be good for it to be functioning correctly.

Edit * I checked the voltage with a voltmeter myself (it might ofcourse be my skills with the voltmeter that are at fault)
--
Neil....
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Samsung GX-10 Samsung NX100
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viking79
viking79 Forum Pro • Posts: 14,157
Re: Samsung Service UK?

Voltage isn't the only issue though, it is the main factor, but can be current related too.

How do you know the circuitry is fried in the camera? Did you try with a different samsung flash or something? I.e. I have had flaky behavior from my NX with third party flashes.

Eric
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OP Auster Pilot Senior Member • Posts: 1,222
Re: Samsung Service UK?

My Samsung Flash SEF15A - which was working before this - no longer works. Neither does my other legacy flash (Chinon S-250 Zoom) which I've been using on it for ages without problems.

I think there was also a whiff of electirical burning at the time

Thanks for the suggetion but I think in this case, I'm fairly confident the circuit is fried.
--
Neil....
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sherwoodpete
sherwoodpete Veteran Member • Posts: 7,767
Re: Samsung Service UK?

Auster Pilot wrote:

Edit * I checked the voltage with a voltmeter myself (it might ofcourse be my skills with the voltmeter that are at fault)

Measuring the trigger voltage requires a voltmeter with a high input impedance.

Generally a modern digital voltmeter will be better than an old analogue (moving needle) type. In addition, the impedance of the voltmeter will be greater (which is good) on the higher voltage range (say 500 volts DC), and usually significantly lower (which is bad) on a low voltage range (say 10 volts DC).

See this page for more information: http://www.botzilla.com/photo/g1strobe.html

There's also the issue of polarity. I really don't know whether this is significant or not, but the page linked above suggests it night be.

Still, that's all history now, but as the damage has already happened.

Regards,
Peter

(unknown member) Veteran Member • Posts: 6,192
Re: Samsung Service UK?

Sorry to hear about your problems.

PC World are flogging the NX100 for £169 so if you buy it and sell the 20-50 it may be cheaper and less hassle than getting the camera repaired. I had NX100 warranty repairs done and there was a bit of to and froing. It finally go it sorted when I sent it with a lens so they could check that it did work, the box they sent would only fit the body. I dropped an Olympus SZ30MR and Olympus quoted £143 for a refurb so I hope Samsung is cheaper if you want to repair it.

Auster Pilot wrote:

Hi,

I made a mistake and put the wrong flash on my NX100 (a legacy Cobra Zoom Auto-Thyristor). It fried the flash circuitry - but not anything else thankfully. I'm thinking of sending it to Samsung for repair.

Has anyone any experience of similar repairs on an NX100? If so:

How much did it cost?
How long did they need it for?
Were there any issues after the repair?

My own fault, but I don't understand it as I had checked the Trigger Voltage* before using the flash on my GX-10 and it was only 3.5V so I'm surprised it caused any damage. I didn't intend using it on the NX100 until I was a bit more certain about it. Oops!

I may not bother as I don't use it with the Samsung flash much but if I want to sell it again it would be good for it to be functioning correctly.

Edit * I checked the voltage with a voltmeter myself (it might ofcourse be my skills with the voltmeter that are at fault)
--
Neil....
The Sky is a Beautiful Place

OP Auster Pilot Senior Member • Posts: 1,222
Re: Samsung Service UK?

Thanks Greynerd for that useful info.

I must admit that I am edging towards just leaving it as it is.

I do have a 2nd NX100 already (it's actually my wife's) and if I really needed to do some flash photography with an NX100 I doubt shw would object to me borrowing it.

I also have my GX-10 + Sigma EF530ST flash which is more than pwerful enough for most situation (but isn't as controllable as my old Chinon S-250).

So I think I've pretty much persuaded msyelf what to do (unless anyone else can suggest alternatives)

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Neil....
The Sky is a Beautiful Place

 Auster Pilot's gear list:Auster Pilot's gear list
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