Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Medium Format / Film / Digital Backs – and Large Sensor Photography => Topic started by: John R Smith on November 26, 2011, 12:25:30 pm
-
Oh woe, calamity, and lackaday.
I bought two batteries to go with my CFV-39 MF DB when I got it just two years ago. Recently, one of them showed signs of discharging rather too quickly, so I thought I would just get two new ones to keep things fresh and sparkling.
I ordered exactly the same thing – Duracell DR5 – and they arrived yesterday. Identical packaging, seemingly identical batteries. But they are NOT. For some unknown reason, these new ones are a teensy bit wider, believe it or not, so they will not fit into the battery location slot on the CFV-39. I have pushed and prodded, tugged and cursed, but all to no avail. They will not go in, so there’s forty quid down the pan.
Has anyone else come across this problem?
Yours in quiet despair
John
-
John -
Quiet despair may not be the best answer, though yes, it often is the British Way!
Any chance of writing to the makers and complaining about unannounced changes rendering the batteries useless? It can only cost some writing time and a stamp... I'd post, not e-mail or anything electronic because my experience tells me that only written stuff gets noticed. Perhaps MDs are not computer savvy enough or, their secretaries are too well trained as filters.
Good luck!
Rob C
-
Duracell UK
Contact Us By Phone
PHONE
0800716434
http://www.duracell.co.uk/en-GB/contact.jspx
and email contact -
http://ukconsumers.custhelp.com/app/ask/p/333/session/L3NpZC85Q25ZUTdLaw%3D%3D
i would take it up with them - they should either provide a new set from a different lot or refund your money.
P&G is usually a pretty good company to deal with when there are consumer issues.
Frank
-
Rob and Frank
Thanks for your replies. I will have a go at Duracell tomorrow.
Measuring with my dial calipers, the new batteries are between 0.5 and 0.75mm wider than the old ones.
John
-
Wow, with that small a difference i would be tempted to take a piece of sandpaper to the casing if i could find the high spot. Maybe they are just slightly out of round on the casing ?
Frank
-
Wow, with that small a difference i would be tempted to take a piece of sandpaper to the casing if i could find the high spot. Maybe they are just slightly out of round on the casing ?
Frank
Guess who just spent an hour or so out in the workshop armed with abrasive papers and a smooth file? Good thinking, Frankman. The batteries do fit, minus quite a lot of plastic - but I certainly can't send them back for a refund, now . . .
I think I will have a word with Hasselblad UK tomorrow, though, just so they are aware of the problem.
John
-
Just an update -
I emailed Hasselblad and got a reply today
Dear Mr. Smith,
Further to my previous email, we have now bought one of the Duracell DR5 batteries and, as you state, they no longer fit. We have contacted Duracell and asked for an explanation and, hopefully, an alternative solution.
My very best regards,
Paul
__________________
Paul A. Gould
Customer Care and Service Manager
HASSELBLAD UK LTD
385 Centennial Avenue
Centennial Park
Elstree
Herts
WD6 3TJ
-
I sure hope Duracell is properly embarrassed and will fix the problem (including replacing for free any that have been filed down to try to make them fit).
Keep us posted, John.
Eric