p.1 #1 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
Just a cautionary tale for those considering Atomos products. I purchased a Ninja V a few years ago. It was used on a dozen shoots, recording to SSD from a Canon R5 and later with a Z6ii and didn't have issues with it. Fast forward to the last month, and it no longer recognizes SSDs.
I sent a video of the issue to Atomos, and they told me that the hardware is nonfunctional, and they can't do anything to help but would gladly send me a 20% discount code for another product. I let them know that I wouldn't trust another Atomos product after this experience.
Cautionary tale for those looking at purchasing one of their recorders.
p.1 #4 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
Did it qualify for extended warranty or service plan? After a "few years" and if it is out of warranty, then that is to be expected.
What do you think happens to lower grade Nikon bodies that fail a few years after warranty expires? I've received that "not economically repairable" notice more than once from them.
p.1 #5 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
It seems that the reliability issues are still present in the Ninja V+. Funny Atomos was quick to say they know about it once they got called out by a well known youtuber, too bad they don't care otherwise.
p.1 #6 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
No electronics is fail-proof. There will always be things that fail. Atmos issues that you pointed out aside, still trying to understand whether the product that "failed for you" was under warranty or not. If it was not under warranty, then Atmos is actually doing you a favor by offering a discount on a new product
p.1 #8 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
gdanmitchell wrote:
I’m seeing this in the Canon forum, and it is beyond me why it is here.
I assume that it is cross-posted since the OP used the Atomos with both Canon R5 and Nikon Z6II cameras.
It's not so much of a completely standalone device, but intended for cameras.
p.1 #10 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
I've used my Ninja V for about 3.5 years. Wonderful piece of kit. When it dies, and will die and likely sooner than later, I will gladly buy another Atomos. Just my experience.
p.1 #11 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
I have had the Ninja 5 and 5+ and currently the Shinobi II. Been pleased with all of them. I even just sent them an email on a question with the C50 and responded very quickly. Solid company in my mind. Sorry it failed after a few years but not sure how this is their problem. If it failed in the first month well maybe you have a gripe. Electronics fail, this is just life.
p.1 #12 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
The issue with the Ninja V+ described in the now three year old video had to do with a manufacturing defect in the Ninja's case. Atomos offered a free fix for those affected. The V+ replaced the V in 2021 so likely the OP's warranty on his V has expired.
p.1 #13 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
I guess I’m the weird one that thinks you should be able to use something a dozen or so times and not have it break. I would absolutely not use this for a paid job after this experience. Thankfully if you’re using a Z9, Z8 or Z6iii there isn’t much point to.
p.1 #14 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
sungphoto wrote:
I guess I’m the weird one that thinks you should be able to use something a dozen or so times and not have it break. I would absolutely not use this for a paid job after this experience. Thankfully if you’re using a Z9, Z8 or Z6iii there isn’t much point to.
@sungphoto, you still haven't answered whether your product was in or out of warranty when it failed. The number of times an electronics product was used has no correlation to failure.
p.1 #15 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
Ninja V was out of warranty, but Atomos agreed that my frustration is warranted. Their service process is basically sending the unit back and forth to Hong Kong, and repair and shipping costs of the cheap components would equal or exceed the cost of a new unit. So these are basically throw in the trash units once they break due to shoddy workmanship.
In my personal experience, Think Tank, Chimera, Sony, Canon and Nikon all will service products out of warranty if it is related to a defect because they stand by their products. I’d expect the same out of a company selling $600 ticking time bombs
p.1 #16 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
For a cheap $600 product of course the repair cost will be higher than the value after it's out of warranty.
That's the same situation with a Nikon or Canon camera though. Maybe you can spend $3000 to repair a Z9, but it would be crazy to spend that on an old Z6 for example. You throw it out and move on.
p.1 #17 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
In my experience, manufacturing related defects are covered by Nikon, Sony, Canon, Think Tank, Chimera and Westcott even after the warranty is over. Sony replaced a defective shutter mechanism out of warranty on an A7ii because they agreed the amount of usage was low and it was likely a defective shutter mechanism. The repair cost was covered, and would have exceeded the cost of the camera because they admitted that it was a defective part. Had a stellar experience with Think Tank completely replacing a Airport Security V2 roller several years after the warranty expired because stitching came loose. Same with Canon replacing the hinge on an out of warranty C70 monitor, etc. Nikon replaced a defective mainboard on a D750 for me for no cost (just shipping). It's not ludicrous to expect the same out of a company that for a short period was selling the V as part of the filmmakers kit. Perhaps shoddy products is why Nikon stopped.
p.1 #18 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
"So these are basically throw in the trash units once they break due to shoddy workmanship."
You don't know that Atomos's workmanship was shoddy.
It's a possibility, but that's very different from being able to state as a fact.
Was it more likely than another reason, out of Atomos's control? You don't know that either.
p.1 #19 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
Is there any evidence of a widespread product defect that the manufacturer is releasing a service bulletin to repair? Of course there are some known defects that Canon, Nikon or others will cover, for example the Z8 attachment lugs, battery drain in the Canon EL-5, defective/missing parts in the early production EF 24-105/4 IS. Outside of a specific manufacturer service advisory or regulatory authority initiated recall (safety related issue), the warranty terms are what they are in the written contract everyone is able to read before purchase.
It appears that the OP may be trying to obtain free service outside of warranty. The problem is that overall increases the cost to those of us that abide by the contract rules.
p.1 #20 · Horrible reliability and support experience with Atomos Ninja V
Do a search for “Ninja V does not recognize SSD”. You’ll find many results. A device shouldn’t just fail after a little over a dozen uses in a studio environment on a tripod. Companies should factor in the cost of servicing defective equipment. The V is not that old.
I am happy to pay to have it serviced, but that unfortunately is not an option because they are not serviceable. I am guessing the SATA connector or the soldering to the board is defective. If the Ninja V+ which is basically the same design, breaks because of the stress of putting a standard NPF battery on it, it’s not a ludicrous assumption that the V might also suffer from manufacturing related issues that become evident after light use.
If anyone is interested in poking around on it, happy to fish it out of the garbage. It still powers on, but may have some chili fixings on it now..
