Fixing the focus ring on a DVX100b

A

accentphotography

Active member
I purchased a used DVX100b and I did not realize at the time that the manual focus ring was not 100% perfect until I took it home an really learned the camera. What I realized is that the manual focus on the DVX100b is performed by the focusing ring rotating stopless either left or right as the focusing ring has small teeth on the inside that go between optical sensors located on the bottom of the lens assembly to tell the lens to focus in or out. After realizing that the plastic mounting area had the screws stripped or cracked I proceeded to contact Panasonic for a OEM Repair Manual and Parts Catalog. Guess what ... the lens is considered an assembly and there is no break down for what seems to be a cheap plastic ring. If I had known this I would have never spent the $58.00 ordering the repair manual.

Any suggestions or idea of where I can go to get a better individual part number instead of the whole assembly? I had heard that Panasonic requires you to buy the Repair/Parts manual first and that they could possibly guess which part was needed after you bought the book but I was not sure if that was true or a urban legend.

Help:violin:
 
You can search for a Panasonic repair shop in your area, they may be able to help.

I've ordered parts before, never heard of a "repair manual" though. You can also try PartStore.com, they've got all the parts for DVX.
 
Thanks for the information. I will try them. The manual is great. It covers repairs and maintenance procedures including head cleaning. This would be good for someone to see if a broken camera in a auction is reasonably fixable. I even get updates sent but nothing on the trouble area that I have with my camera.
 
Okay ... found the parts site at partstore.com but how do you find the part if there is no break down of parts with the numbers. That was my problem with the manual from Panasonic. It had pratically every part except the break down of the lens assembly. Still looking for that.
 
I had the same problem with the my DVX100A. The day aster I got it my friend knocked it off a table and the focus ring and up snapped off. So the small plastic ring had the screws ripped out cracking it and making it impossible to put the focus ring back on. I eventually used some super glue and made a sketchy attempt to put it back on until I can take it for repair.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3317574237_4511558141.jpg?v=0

Is this the same ring you are looking for?
 
Thats it. My ring with the teeth is fine. Its the inner plastic ring that holds the screws. Some of the screws have pulled through the ring so the hole is bigger than the head and if I remember correctly there were some 1/4" long same black plastic spacer tube like legs that may have cracked or split due to the thread of the screw being yanked out. I need to take it apart again but I am pretty sure I need two parts. The one that the screws go thru first and then the one that they screw into. Any idea? I really am trying not to superglue. Thanks!
 
I forgot to add. Those screws were a bear to get out. I took them to a jeweler and tried my best to get a screwdriver from Sears that would fit. It seems they have a clear sealant in the cross part of the head so I used a needle to scratch it out and then they came out with no problem. I used to do camera repairs and nothing I had originally would work. Just a tip for those wanting to know.
 
Yeah thats the exact same thing happened to my dvx. If you find the part please let me know cause I don't know what it is.
 
So anyone any luck?
Recently someone borrowed my DVX after 7 years or reliable shooting and... she didn't bother to check if the tripod was locked.... Yep it dropped on the floor and ripped the three screws out of the plasttic. Actually looks a bit silly, such a crappy construction on a camera that is build like a rock.

Pretty sure I can get some longer screws and force them into the plastic but wouldn't mind doing it the official way, so if anyone had any luck?
 
Here is the official answer ...

Here is the official answer ...

I spoke with a repair technician at a authorized repair office and I asked the tech (who was sending back some other repairs for me) about this problem. I told him that I too had the Panasonic Repair Manual and when I tried looking up the broken part it only showed up as A COMPLETE LENS ASSEMBLY. This really sucks as the point of wear or strain on the screws is too tremendous for such a thin plastic area in the part. I mean come on ... look at the weight of the add on lens and parts we add on these things. It plainly has a poor design and when its broke ... its broke.

The tech also explained that this would be a PANASONIC SERVICE REPAIR as the lens needs to be calibrated for the CCD's.

Here are my suggestions and I have yet to do either myself:

1. Find a electronically broken one and buy it for the part. It is a simple repair.

2. Try to "plastic weld" the part. I am planning on trying this but I need to locate the exact filler material. I don't want to screw it up even more. I planned on filling the original area for the screw and redrilling the holes. Otherwise ... suggestions anyone?

By the way ... if anyone out there happens to have this part ... please contact me. I have been waiting over a year for a affordable fix.

Cheers!
 
If it is a complete lens assembly, then it is ridiculous. Three tiny crews that can be ripped out on two parts that can be replaced without a problem. Reminds me of an argument a while ago when people claiming you could hang your Letus Extreme + lens from the front of the DVX without a problem. When I told them it would probably rip the front of the lens they got all huff and puff.

In a way I can understand, for the most part the camera feels solid, its a real disappointment the front is build like a cheap toy.

So far my solution was: find 3 more of the bigger type screws that actually screw the whole front part too the body. Enlarge / deepen the screwholes that are left and screw the rings together with the bigger screws, not forgetting the focus ring. Then just screw the whole front ring with focus back in place. Offcourse filling the ripped holes and re-drilling them is a good idea.

Not sure I would ever want to put a Century optics on it though, can you imagine shooting out of a Heli and.. riiiipppp there goes your Century optics and front of lens .

Anyway, it sucks but glue and biger screws works well.
 
Were you able to put the pretty Leica metal plate back on or did you need to leave it off (or drill the Leica plate to fit)?

The only thing I noticed is that the manual focus ring (toothed ring) on mine is a little tighter now. I originally put some super small washers inside the screw holes and used the original screws. There was enough plastic left but it is not a strong hold and only good for the lens hood.

Just make sure you do not cut too much plastic away from the original screw tubes as it may play with the freedom of your focus ring.

Its pretty pathetic that Panasonic treated this problem the way they have by not offering parts for that lens assembly.
 
By replacing the tiny screws that hold the focus ring in place with the same bigger size as the front, all I had to do was make the ripped screw holes a bit bigger and deeper. Screwing them not too tight was the only thing I had to pay attention too. But could give the focus ring as much or as little play as I wanted.

Because I got 6 similar screws, all the same size / length as the screws that keep the whole front part in place, everything else fitted like it was suppose to. So no problem with the Leica plate. Doubt anyone will ever notice the front was ripped off. But I have to admit: doubt I will ever let anyone else handle this camera unless they pay for it first :)
 
Well you sure are lucky. Where you drop the screws in the hollow plastic tube is where I had the problem. Where the screw pops thru the hole at the bottom the head of the screws pulled thru the small holes and took plastic with them. So yours is a stripped thread issue and mine is no plastic for the head of the screw to hold down as it was broken away. Also, my toothed focus ring was cracked in one part so it was not a complete circle anymore until I Super Glued it back. Wanna trade cameras??? LOL
 
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