Buying a hackable GH1 these days - who has old stock?

P

Peter_F

New member
I am very to new to the forum but have been following the posts as a guest about Panasonic's initiative in preventing the famous hack from being loaded.

If I understand correctly, it is clear that I need a body that was manufactured on or before April 2010 and that has version 1.32 firmware or earlier.

It is now late August and I want to know where I can find a GH1 that is "hackable" - probably older stock that predates Panasonic's evil change.

I am in Sydney Australia, need a PAL version and have no issue buying online - in fact prefer to do so for price.



Problem is:
  • serial number of body is inside the box and sellers online etc are reluctant to open box. Not sure of the accuracy of the assertions re the serial code either - especially re the letter code for the month.
  • getting into the Service Menu to ensure the right version number is not something you can ask an online seller to do, nor can you do it in camera store.
So how do I go about buying one of the darn things? The other issue is that the guys that offer cheapest prices (e.g. B & H ) no doubt have the highest stock turnover and are probably running "just in time" inventory so you are unlikely to get a pre-May 2010 unit.

I should add that I "assume" I need a PAL version - or can I buy a pre-May NTSC and trust the hack to turn it into a PAL? There is a guy on Ebay selling "Japanese" units that he claims are hackable but then I understand I am stuck with Japanese menus - is that right? :)

Any suggestions? Thanks !
 
With the hack, I believe you can have all languages and switch from PAL to NTSC and back if you wish.
 
I see them come up from time to time in the used classifieds on photography forums.
Click to expand...

Problem is (i) it's used and (ii) you may be buying someone else's unhackable GH1. That is why I figure there are a number of "new" GH1 for sale on ebay from private sellers....
 
Not to disagree, it's totally your choice, but just to add most classifieds state how long they've had the camera. One I saw the other day said purchased December 2009.
I think you need to look pre-June 2010?
 
There are plenty of unused bodies that come up on Ebay. Private owners will just about always check version number for you.

Forget Ebay Australia...I bought a couple of unused hackables from Ebay USA...change to Pal with the hack.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top