Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

A

aaandre

Member
Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my DVX100a.

I noticed however, after I tried anoter, supposedly identical model (also DVX100a, also from BHPhoto) that the zoom ring on my camera is much looser to the touch than the 2nd one I tried.

It feels almost like it can rotate by itself if I jolt the camera and picks up every slight movement of my fingers.

The 2nd camera had much smoother, "solid" feel to it which makes it much more usable for manual zooming (vs my camera's manual zoom which I find almost unusable).

(Of course, I am talking about zooming in manual mode, with the servo disengaged.)

The LCD on my camera also feels a little flimsy.

It's almost like some guy in Japan was tired and didn't tighten all the way the secret screws responsible for the zoom ring and the LCD.

Which leads me to the question: does anybody have a clue how to fix this? Especially the zoom ring? (Tired Japaneze guy, are you reading this?)

Or is authorized service (Recommendation in LA?) my only option?

What would *you* do?

Thank you!

-- Andre
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

wholly crap.. that was the funniest complaint I have read in ages...

You should contact the place you bought it from first to see what they say before you start messing with it.
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

See the return policy...Where did you buy it from? Hopefully not a gray market dealer... :-/
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

I got the camera at BHPHotoVideo.com = USA warranty.

However, I bought it almost 6 months ago (On Dec 30th 2003 I believe).

I don't think BHPhotoVideo will take it back... most likely they'll send me the down the "Manufacturer Warranty" path and as my complaint is based on something almost non-measurable (how do you measure friction? or "not too solid" hmmm?) ...

Let's just say that while I bought from a good dealer my hopes are not soaring.

I am afraid that in their eyes I'll look like a whacko.

(And yes, I may be a whacko, but I still want a more solid zoom ring!)

Another thing that came to mind is that they may have used a different type of lube or materials in the early dvx100As. So it might not be a screw.

I know that we are all serious (mostly) men with busy schedules.
I know that mentioning the words friction, lube and screw in the same post is a recipy for disaster (thread going very very wrong).

Still, if you know of a solution, I'll appreciate it.

Cheers
-- Andre
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

LOL!!! Watch out for Terry and Hudson...Call Panasonic about your problem..they are pretty cool..Try calling B&H too, you never know...Here are the Panasonic Numbers

To Locate a convenient Authorized Servicenter (in the U.S.A.):
1-800-526-6610

For Technical Assistance
1-800-524-1448

Let me know how that goes..call the tech assistance #. They may be able to shed some light on your situation..
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

To fix it you have to push real hard on the Leica lens.

Forgot about me Kyle! :P
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring - THE REAL ISSUE.

Re: Fix loose Zoom ring - THE REAL ISSUE.

Actually, I just have talked to Panasonic today about the loose zoom ring/lens clutch assembly. It seems to be a problem of the design. I bought the DVX100a and a DVC80, and both cameras suffer from the loose zoom lens assembly. This is especially bugging me when doing live shows while using servo zoom at its slowest speeds and at the longest focal length. When you start zooming in & out, you can see the image jumping/shifting sideways, which is not a pretty picture thus rendering the camera totally useless for that purpose, especially when there's not much action in the composition. It looks… UGLY! Well, anyway, guess what the Panasonic tech told me? He said that even his latest revision of the camera does the same thing and that there's no known or suggested workaround for it. So if I'm not satisfied with the cameras, I should return them to the dealer for a refund! Then I decided to call an authorized repair center in Mass and was basically told the same thing, that they have observed the loose zoom assembly with DVX and DVC cameras and that the replacement lens they have had been getting from Panasonic for warranty repairs are even worse. When they have asked Panasonic for the reason of it, Panasonic said it's by design! So, go figure, but the repair center has been getting quite a few complaints and warranty repair requests from camera users! My DVC80 seems to be really bad, and the slowest zoom speeds are faster then on DVX100a and the zoom clutch is very rough – when starting to zoom in or out, the lens almost jumps inside the assembly! So, I’m taking the DVC80 to the repair center first, to see if they can find a better replacement for the zoom lens.

Slav.


:(
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

Dude, that sucks..sorry to hear that this is not working out for you...Maybe try Panasonic again and talk to a different rep?
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

lol! Kyle, you're like the second coming of Hudson.

If I hadn't glanced over to see your name and avatar, I would've sworn that was John answering. :)
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

lol, i must be reading to many of John's posts...all forty zillion of them...
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

At this rate, you'll pass me in a flash and be on Hudson's heels before you know it. :)
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

Say, that wasn't you complaining about losing their second star just a few weeks ago, was it? :)
 
Re: Fix loose Zoom ring, loose LCD panel?

i think first thing one should do (especially after getting a low priced cam) to check its head hours...if it has already been used. At lease in one of the recent cases, pertaining to one of my friends, we discovered that a cam with lowsy-looking problems was already used
 
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