HPX170 Lens Wobble Improved

Hi,

We are still trying to determine why some units have the issue and others don't and what is causing it, until we have that nailed down it is hard to say. Hopefully we will have it figured it out soon. It does seem like it would be easy enough to fix as I temporarily "fixed" my pl sample by putting my thumbails in the first space between the body and the lens.

Thanks,

Jan
 
Jan, this issue has been revealed on all cameras tested until now, all over the world. Even people who thought their camera was OK (like me) have discovered the image wobbling with proper tests.

This is a shock mount and this is true, but it allows too much movements to the lens, IN EVERY CAMERA and this is true also

Shocking mount is surely a design but something is wrong (very wrong) and they must increase the rigidity of the mount: I can understand that for them is a great damage, but they must probably service all HPX170 and HMC150 produced until now.

Anyway the serial number of my HPX171 is *********, bought in Italy 7 days ago (2 hours on the hour counter). I can add that ALL the HPX171 sold in my country have the same issue.

Regards

gary
 
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Hi Gary,

I think your sample is still limited as there were close to 2-300 cameras shipped into your country and a great deal more into the US and other countries. You have only seen asmall fraction of the total. You cannot say that they all have it on a world wide basis as this is simply not true. The ones in my lab do not do this. So please let us not be hyperbolic on this, it is not all of the cameras, that is why I am collecting serial numbers. And frankly once you read this response, go back to your message and edit your serial number out of there. This should be a number that only you and I share.

Best,

Jan
 
I'm sorry to hear so many people are having problems. I haven't had an issue with my HPX170, but perhaps it is more because of my personal method I use to focus? Someday I could be renting my camera out to someone that finds an issue with this lens wobble - who knows. Anyway, if my camera can be retrofitted with some kind of reinforcement, I might as well have it done.

I have had no worries whatsoever about this problem and have always known Panasonic would take steps to correct anything that is truly wrong. This is a great camera that can do amazing things - I have no complaints about the build quality or anything else about it. I would still highly recommend that people who are interested in buying this camera to go ahead and buy one. Of course, you may want to wait until Panny starts QC'ing all the camera shipments for "wobble vision." :)

Thank you, Jan, for staying on top of this!

Oh, and thank you, Andrew, for coming up with a great solution and so quickly! I'm a Spec-Comm customer and would normally be inclined to take advantage of the "fix." But . . . I live right near Panasonic in Los Angeles so I'd rather just bring it there if they can do the same thing (or better).

Jan, please let me know when I can bring my camera over to Panny. I'd like to just get this out of the way asap. :thumbsup:
 
Jan - thanks for your attention on this.
Your involvement on the site is a great resource - issues like this make it clear why
having a direct line of communication with any manufacturer is important.

I would urge any other 170 owners here who feel their camera exhibits the wiggle issue to do as Jan asked and PM her your information
(Serial Number, Country of Origin, Full Model Number).

And let's please not inundate her PM box with other questions about this right now - the shorter and more direct the PMs you send her way,
the quicker she'll be able to go through them, and the sooner we can start talking about a solution.

Let's be patient as Panasonic figures this out.
That means keeping out emotion and hyperboles in check.
It will be best for all of us in the long run.

They are clearly aware of the issue and are taking responsibility.
Let's give them a chance before we go off the deep end.

Thanks.
 
OK, I've edited my serial number, thank you.

Jan, I have seen the shocking mount in the naked camera photo and after 35 years that I'm shooting photoes and video I've a solid opinion: if they use only two screws to hold the lens and if they let it free to move at the back, the lens can only wiggles, in every camera. This is physics. Evidently the foam blocks on the side are not enough to avoid this. All the lenses are mounted in the same way, I believe, so why the issue should be limited to only a camera batch?
This is my explanation for WHY the lens wiggle and the spec-comm remedy demonstates this.
A question: if the issue is limited to only a camera batch, why the 150 lenses should be also affected?

In my opinion they must only modify a little the design, introducing more foam at the back or something similar. This remedy preserves also the shock mount design.

This camera is exactly what I wanted, but if they don't change a little the mounting design (and this is very very easy to do) it is seriously mutilated.

There are thousand of potential buyers waiting the end of this story to buy their camera, I think it is a Panasonic interest to fix immediately this little naivety. I fear that looking for bad serial numbers is only a wasting of time

Regards

Gary
 
I am very happy that Jan has been able to check out a few 170's herself and could duplicate the problem.

Today, Adam Wilt came by my place and brought his HVX200A. He was able to duplicate the focus shift at long focal length with my 170, and I was able to compare the lens play in my 170 to his 200A and there is a difference in tolerances, with the 170 having more play.

I agree with Gary that this is most likely going to be the same with all early 170/171's and
150's, but we'll see what Jan and Panasonic come up with.

I am not looking forward to the expense and downtime of shipping my 170 to Panasonic or Spec-Comm and am hoping Panasonic would consider covering return shipping costs. The priority, of course is finding a fast, effective solution.
 
Sent my PM to Jan,
Thanks For your help in figuring this out Jan.

I would like to agree with other posters that I hope panasonic figures out a non-out-of-pocket way to fix this issue. I am sure they will since I have been assured by the rep I bought my camera from that panasonic will "make this right."
 
Well, we have now some definitive information to work with.

The camera manufacture has recognized the issue in some cameras and is willing to take the necessary actions to fix it.
As this process progresses we'll be able to find details on how many units have the issues and how long (or how much) it's involved on the fix.

Jan personal commitment, availability and dedication to the problem is incredible and unique (to my knowledge) in this industry.
This board and some key people on it have been crucial and very helpful all the way.
Let's take all this in consideration from now on and things will be fine.
 
Jan_Crittenden said:
that is why I am collecting serial numbers

Best,

Jan
Click to expand...

I knew you wouldn't let us down Jan! :dankk2:

Hope this whole thing turns out to be easy on your schedule and your affected customers. And let's remember that when something bad happens almost everyone posts it all over, but when something great happens the % of people that go public is grossly disproportionate.

In Pana we trust. :beer:




Luis Caffesse said:
That means keeping out emotion... [use] ...in check.
Click to expand...

What about those of us with an "emoticon problem". :D
 
alexdias said:
Well, we have now some definitive information to work with.
how long (or how much) it's involved on the fix.


Just a question... is this repair going to cost us money? I order my cam anyway being fully aware of the issues because I wouldn't imagine Panasonic or anyone for that matter leaving this unattended... but, if this is not going to be for free... I mean... I guess I'm wrong am I?
Click to expand...
 
BXL said:
Why am I getting 52 pages on this thread and I can't get further than page 50?
Click to expand...

Because the emotional impact of the wobble issue alone has caused two extra pages of spillover. That's why you can't see the text. But can't you feel it, brutha??

:beer:
 
BXL said:
alexdias said:
Well, we have now some definitive information to work with.
how long (or how much) it's involved on the fix.


Just a question... is this repair going to cost us money? I order my cam anyway being fully aware of the issues because I wouldn't imagine Panasonic or anyone for that matter leaving this unattended... but, if this is not going to be for free... I mean... I guess I'm wrong am I?
Click to expand...

I was referring to initial shipping cost which should, hopefully, be the only $ from the costumer side.
Click to expand...
 
Spec Comm is doing their own free fix (for their customers). I have no doubt Panasonic will soon offer something similar. I talked to a tech at a Panasonic Repair Center today over a few phone calls and explained everything. He had barely heard of the issue but now knows and confirmed that the factory is fully aware and is working on the best solution. Because this is such a new problem, he said to give them just a little time to work it out. Again, he stated that he has no doubt Panasonic will step up to the plate with this. Everyone, please be as patient as possible. There is light at the end of this tunnel . . .
 
Jan,
I'm only assuming that Panasonic will not cover shipping. If this is true, can we visit a near by location to have it repaired same day? I'm concerned about down time and further costs.

Jay
 
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