HPX170 Lens Wobble Improved

scorsesefan said:
I think we should give Panasonic the benefit of the doubt -- they've been around since 1918. If there are defective units they will remedy the problem... Just my contribution to "wigglegate".
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One would imagine. If they do "remedy" it would be an issue of how. I didn't drop $5,200 + tax + shipping to have it repaired at no fault of my own.

Also, but not directed at you scorsesefan:
Why wasn't this shock mounted lens included in the spec sheets as a "feature"?

PS, LOVE the Wigglegate title! LOL :)
 
Hi,

Just got my HPX171 delivered, has the wiggle/image shift problem too.

Not worried, sure it'll get fixed, but just thought I'd add another name to the list.

Regards
Peter
 
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"The Wigglegate".... excellent! probably the best since "Jellovision"... we shouldn't worry that much; I'm sure they'll fix it... I'm getting this camera anyway...
 
BXL said:
"The Wigglegate".... excellent! probably the best since "Jellovision"... we shouldn't worry that much; I'm sure they'll fix it... I'm getting this camera anyway...
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Want to buy mine? :) I'll buy some metal washers from Home Depot and fix that wiggle right up for ya!
 
can someone do a gentle tap test with the lens in wide angle instead of telephoto? I am curious how perceptible that is. Thanks.
 
CW-35 said:
can someone do a gentle tap test with the lens in wide angle instead of telephoto? I am curious how perceptible that is. Thanks.
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That is a good idea.

I have some editing to get done today - but I may be able to find some time this afternoon to do a test at various focal lengths, from full wide to full telephoto.
Though personally I still believe the best test is to siimply rack focus (something you would actually do during a shoot)
not tapping the lens hood itself, which isn't something you would normally do.
 
No tape drive, fisher price build quality and same price point as the HVX200A, doesn't make any sense. The waveform monitor function was what sold me on the HPX170, I NEVER expected the flimsy build. It's very sad that none of the reviews commented on the build quality of the camera, that would've been a good heads up.
 
I still believe that much of what people are reacting to when they talk about build quality is the difference in weight.
Being so much lighter the camera may feel less robust -
but to say "fisher price build quality" is a complete exaggeration in my opinion.

Yes, this 'wiggle' issue is something that I think needs to be dealt with.
But aside from that - this camera seems to trounce all over my old HVX200.
Just my 2 cents.
 
Lens Wobble... A solution

Lens Wobble... A solution

Ok,

As you all may know already, we have had the camera apart and we have inspected it quite thoroughly. I am inclined to bow to Jan and Barry in this regard. Panasonic did their job. It is operating as designed. I wouldn't worry at all about failures down the road or anything because the "wobble" was designed into the camera for what has been called the "shock-mount".

At the same time, we have the majority of you that aren't happy about this. So, my engineers and I pulled an "all nighter" and came up with a solution that reinforces the lens and at the same time, does not compromise the functionality of the "shock-mount" design that Panasonic has very good reason to have in place.

All of our clients that purchased the camera from us get their camera "remedied" free of charge, you just have to pay shipping. If you order the camera from us, we will install if for free before we ship it out if you wish to have us do it at all.

If you would like the procedure performed and you happened to buy from someone else, it will cost $85 plus shipping. Since this is not a Panasonic procedure, we cannot handle this as a warranty claim, especially since the camera is functioning as designed.

We are providing this as a solution for those that are finding the camera not functional for their use.

Since we are an ASC for Panasonic, this in no way voids out the 1 or 5 year warranty.

If you would like to see an example of how effective our reinforcement procedure is, you may take a look at our demonstration video below.

Lens Wobble Fix

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Andrew Hoffman
Vice President
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858 (US)
301-790-0103
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com

Please visit our new online store at ( http://www.spec-comm.com/store ). New products being added daily!
 
two questions:

1. so what is it that you guys are doing to it?
2. as of yet, although i do have the wobble. its not causing any issues. if it becomes an issue say 9 months from now will the offer still be in place?
 
I think there's a difference between the LENS wobbling and THE IMAGE wobbling... if the lens HAS to move for whatever security reasons, go ahead I don't care... what bothers me and I guess the whole community here is the shifting on the image... that's what needs to be fixed.... I can't imagine the image shifting as a "feature"
 
Great work! At least we know there's a fix for the PROBLEM. So if there's a PROBLEM to be fixed, Panasonic didn't do their job quite right. If it is indeed intentional, then they need to spend some time in the field, after all the camera is designed for the users...and the users are not very happy right now.
 
Hi Andrew,
I bought the HPX from Spec Comm but I don't need this "remedy" immediately. How long will you be offering it for free?
 
BXL said:
I think there's a difference between the LENS wobbling and THE IMAGE wobbling... if the lens HAS to move for whatever security reasons, go ahead I don't care... what bothers me and I guess the whole community here is the shifting on the image... that's what needs to be fixed.... I can't imagine the image shifting as a "feature"
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Hey BXL,

I have done some tests between the "remedied" HPX170 and the HVX200A and the amount of image shift is the same. I'll post a video of my tests here soon. I locked the camera down, zoomed all the way in and turned off OIS. When I put a little pressure on the HVX200A I get a bit of movement and the HPX170 matches that.

Andrew Hoffman
 
wgzn said:
two questions:

1. so what is it that you guys are doing to it?
2. as of yet, although i do have the wobble. its not causing any issues. if it becomes an issue say 9 months from now will the offer still be in place?
Click to expand...

rahn said:
Hi Andrew,
I bought the HPX from Spec Comm but I don't need this "remedy" immediately. How long will you be offering it for free?
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You're our customers! Of course we will take care of you whenever it is convenient for you. :)

Andrew Hoffman
 
Please.... are we already looking for third party solutions?... My camera is already on it's way... I do appreciate however the effort from Spec guys but I'm not even in the States ... doesn't apply you see?.... Panasonic... pleeeeease...:beer: a nice beer would do now...
 
When I ordered my cam at B&H, I asked myself, why would bother preordering at Spec-Comm and maybe waiting a couple of extra days. Now I know why I should've :)
 
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