Fujifilm Australia has finally launched a free professional service program, which offers dedicated support for photographers with select camera bodies and lenses.
Fujifilm joins Nikon, Sony and Canon in offering its Australian professional photographers an exclusive support program, with Olympus most likely not far behind.
When comparing each pro support program, only the Fujifilm and Nikon pro services are free.
Fujifilm Professional Support (FPS) provides eligible photographers with two- (for GFX) to three-day (X-series) repair turnaround times; loan gear if repair times are not met; expert assistance via a dedicated telephone number and e-mail address; and two annual health checks for Fujifilm gear.
Repairs are free for gear purchased within the 12 month warranty period, however charges apply for out-of-warranty repairs. (Although the ACCC and the Australian Consumer Law could trump what Fujifilm considers a reasonable warranty period for expensive photo gear.)
Two free health checks include a sensor clean, along with a body or lens focus check, exposure check, viewfinder check, as well as examination of white balance, output, an external clean, and other functions such as firmware updates and battery consumption.
To be eligible, photographers must own either one qualifying GFX camera body and GF lens; two qualifying X Series bodies and three XF lenses; or be able to prove they’re full-time working professionals with at least one qualifying body and lens. (Full list of qualifying gear below)
The FPS membership lasts for two years.
‘FPS provides outstanding, exclusive support to loyal Fujifilm enthusiasts and professionals,’ said Alex Zitser, Fujifilm Australia national product and marketing manager. ‘Our customers always come first, which is why we’re rewarding loyalty with an enhanced support service, which includes access to… product experts, quick repairs and other complementary service.’
Fujifilm has been pushing hard into the premium camera market with its GFX medium format and high-end X-series cameras, but pro support affirms a manufacturer’s commitment to professional photographers.
Until now, a professional photographer experiencing tech issues with a $7-10K GFX camera may have had to deal with a consumer-oriented offshore call centre. Then waited weeks for a repair. That’s not ideal when there’s a livelihood at stake.
Pro support may just be what finally entices a photographer to join ‘the Fuji ecosystem’.
Australian photographers will be interested to know that the American GFX FPS program costs US$499 per year, whereas here it is free. Although the US version offers more benefits, such as 30 percent discounts for out-of-warranty repairs, four check-and-clean vouchers, and a trendy Fujifilm ‘swag bag’.
Click here for more info on FPS.
To qualify photographers must own:
– FUJIFILM GFX 50S
– FUJIFILM GFX 50R
And one
– FUJINON G Lens GF23mmF4 R LM WR
– FUJINON G Lens GF45mmF2.8 R WR
– FUJINON G Lens GF63mmF2.8 R WR
– FUJINON G Lens GF110mmF2 R LM WR
– FUJINON G Lens GF120mmF4 R LM OIS WR Macro
– FUJINON G Lens GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR
– FUJINON G Lens GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR
– FUJINON G Lens GF100-200mmF5.6 R LM OIS WR
Or two
– FUJIFILM X-H1
– FUJIFILM X-Pro2
– FUJIFILM X-T3
– FUJIFILM X-T2
And three
– FUJINON XF14mmF2.8 R
– FUJINON XF16mmF1.4 R WR
– FUJINON XF23mmF1.4 R
– FUJINON XF35mmF1.4 R
– FUJINON XF56mmF1.2 R
– FUJINON XF56mmF1.2 R APD
– FUJINON XF80mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro
– FUJINON XF90mmF2 R LM WR
– FUJINON XF200mmF2 R LM OIS WR
– FUJINON XF8-16mmF2.8 R LM WR
– FUJINON XF10-24mmF4 R OIS
– FUJINON XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR
– FUJINON XF50-140mmF2.8 R OIS WR
– FUJINON XF100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR
Or
Full-time working professionals earning the majority of their income from photography, and who have purchased at least one qualifying body and one qualifying lens (refer to a. and b. above). Professional photographers must contact FFAU to demonstrate their professional credentials. FFAU reserves the right to ask for evidence (invoices, letterheads, receipts, for example) to prove that the applicant is a working professional.
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