GH1 Strap rivet broken
- Thread starter themartist
- Start date
ajamils
Well-known member
Can you post some pics of what you did ?
tired of carrying my camera by hand while on my world journey, i ended up ordering the black rapid fastener and simply connected my stock panasonic neck strap around it.
as for jhung's question about sending it back to panasonic, i'd be curious to know as well.
i contacted them about how my LCD doesn't work anymore and the intermittent turning off of the camera and they told me i would have to ship it to them in chicago and that i would be responsible for any other 'applicable fees' which i found shocking. why would i have to pay any "applicable fees" for what is clearly a manufacturer's defect, no? :|
as for jhung's question about sending it back to panasonic, i'd be curious to know as well.
i contacted them about how my LCD doesn't work anymore and the intermittent turning off of the camera and they told me i would have to ship it to them in chicago and that i would be responsible for any other 'applicable fees' which i found shocking. why would i have to pay any "applicable fees" for what is clearly a manufacturer's defect, no? :|
Nitsuj
Well-known member
This makes me nervous for mine. Ever since I read the OP about this a while back I always hold mine in my hands when I walk around and only let the strap hold it when I need to grab something else. I don't like that I have to worry about this but I'm still trying to make an effort to not let it happen until I get another solution. I can deal with the other problems the camera has but this one little thing has me more concerned than anything else. If this camera goes then I'm screwed. 
themartist
Active member
Well guys, just to tell you that I'm delighted with my black rapid. My business partner has just bought himself a GH1, and I've instructed him to avoid using the neck strap altogether and order a black rapid. This is the best solution. It's a simple but very effective device that guarantees the camera will be on you comfortably and securely. Almost grateful I encountered this problem... as since getting the BR, I now carry the camera on me more often than I did before...
don't think i have it setup like jhung, but i ended up getting the black rapid fastenr-2 and simply attached my original stock neck strap to it and it seems to be fine (i decided not to get the connectr-2 b/c it didn't really seem necessary and also saved me extra cash).
i must say it's AWESOME to be able to carry this camera around my neck again... but this time knowing it's SECURE and shouldn't fall off! the fastenr-2 feels solid screwed into the tripod mount base (provided that doesn't break!). as a precautionary measure and some healthy paranoia, i also keep my hand around the camera's body at all times.
i would definitely recommend this or any other product than using the stock neck strap rivet points... don't want anyone else to have to have experience what i did (especially in the midst of a 3-month world travel excursion!). i'll hopefully have some videos edited when i return to the states (since my netbook can handle PP4), but in the meantime, am pleased w/ the picture qualities so far...
here are some pics of my gh-1 w/ the black rapid fastenr-2 (hope it helps):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89737173@N00/4133166189/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/89737173@N00/4133166777/
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I have a new Gh1
After reading this scrary thread, I checked my camera.
My left strap rivet have a little space to move, like its loosen.
It can move a little from side to side.
Is it normal?
The right rivet is not moving at all.
Please if someone can check and tell me its normal...
Thanks,
Ady.
After reading this scrary thread, I checked my camera.
My left strap rivet have a little space to move, like its loosen.
It can move a little from side to side.
Is it normal?
The right rivet is not moving at all.
Please if someone can check and tell me its normal...
Thanks,
Ady.
This GH1 is costing me too much headache...
First NTSC instead of PAL (B&H fault), then pulldown software, then banding, now the rivet???
I guess that what happens when you get a new product in its line.
Any advices?
Should I return the camera to B&H?
Its less than two weeks old...
Maybe I should have gone for the D300s after all.
I sold my D300 for the GH1...
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stoneinapond
Veteran
I feel for you, but that is plain unfair. You did not do your research.
Amazon also has no mention of NTSC, and Adorama, when you drill deep into their specs, does mention movie mode as being NTSC, but it ain't obvious.
Anyone who has an ounce of knowledge about video formats, would not done what you did.
Plus, how many threads have there been here that mention NTSC and PAL?
You have to own this one.
Not true.
D90, D5000, D300s, 7D, 5D2 and more, are all dslrs and don't have NTSC/PAL models.
When buying a DSLR, you think DSLR.
When I bought my DV, I checked for PAL.
In every place beside this forum I saw a mention of NTSC/PAL models.
And in B&H page, there is no mention at all, not in specs, not in features, nothing.
Anywhere.
And you know, I didn't have a reason to be here before I got the camera, I was in Nikon forums, cause I had a Nikon and I shot only stills.
Leave the NTSC issue, I hope I can manage it.
But what with the Rivet?
What I should now, wait for my 10 days new camera to fell from its strap?
How can you trust an equipment like this?
You can take a Nikon camera and swing it over your head for hours and it will not break...
My left rivet was a little loose and a week later it came of, luckily I already knew this was a problem so it didn't fell on the floor. My right rivet is still in place but I can move it a little bit....
It really sucks, because I'm using a hand strap right now that uses the tripod mount and the right rivet:
http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-Profes...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259185490&sr=8-1
But if the right rivet comes off I have nothing left but the black rapid strap as mentioned above. Which means loosing your tripod mount and the ability to use a hand strap.
I want it to be repaired but I don't want to loose my camera for a long time...... What to do?
Maybe go for something like this
http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/
I wonder if after the fix its safe to use it.
Ok bad news!
I was removing the strap, to avoid hanging the camera on the neck by mistake, and guess what?
It went off..
and the worst part - the internal nut that was holding the rivet is inside the camera, and its moving there... I am afraid to use the camera, it might be in the shutter area or something..
Is this is no case to return the camera to B&H or what?
It will cost me some to send it back, and I will not get taxes back.
So should I give it to be fix and to pay myself..
This is the worst thing that ever happened to me on a camera, I would have NEVER EVER buy this camera if I knew about such a problem.
Panasonic - you are AMATEURS.
I was removing the strap, to avoid hanging the camera on the neck by mistake, and guess what?
It went off..
and the worst part - the internal nut that was holding the rivet is inside the camera, and its moving there... I am afraid to use the camera, it might be in the shutter area or something..
Is this is no case to return the camera to B&H or what?
It will cost me some to send it back, and I will not get taxes back.
So should I give it to be fix and to pay myself..
This is the worst thing that ever happened to me on a camera, I would have NEVER EVER buy this camera if I knew about such a problem.
Panasonic - you are AMATEURS.
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stoneinapond
Veteran
I would say that this strengthens your case for getting a refund from B&H. As I understand it, you are ourtside the return period, but in this case you can state that you were sold a defective product that appears to be systematic and you want a refund.
The taxes you'll just have to chalk up to experience.
This does seem to be a serious problem.
The taxes you'll just have to chalk up to experience.
This does seem to be a serious problem.
I ordered the camera less than 2 weeks, at the 15.11.2009.
Well, the problems is, I have a small scratch on the lens (on the internal plastic) ... and now they say I can't return it.
I was on the phone with them now, and to sum up:
"Fix the rivet and pay it yourself, we can't pay or take the camera back."
In fact, they say its not a known problem...
I mail them this thread, if this will be the end of their care of my camera, I will never ever buy something from them again.
I don't believe I actually ordered a flash and a spear battery from them 3 days ago...
I do think that this fix should be on B&H.
Well, the problems is, I have a small scratch on the lens (on the internal plastic) ... and now they say I can't return it.
I was on the phone with them now, and to sum up:
"Fix the rivet and pay it yourself, we can't pay or take the camera back."
In fact, they say its not a known problem...
I mail them this thread, if this will be the end of their care of my camera, I will never ever buy something from them again.
I don't believe I actually ordered a flash and a spear battery from them 3 days ago...
I do think that this fix should be on B&H.
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hey ady's, my story with willoughby's was similar. i included my email thread with their customer service below (sorry for the long read) but no dice. after sending the most recent email to them, i had not heard back from them and figure i'm SOL and will have to deal with panasonic directy when i return to the states:
=======================================
"So if you were to buy something from a retailer (let's say a flat screen TV or some other electronic equipment) and due to what is clearly a manufacturer's defect it breaks within 3 weeks you would have no complaint/problem having to pay to ship it back to the manufacturer directly (out of your own pocket) versus going through the retailer you purchased it through?
What happened to 30 days of customer service?
I find this difficult to believe that there is no service being extended in light of these extraordinary circumstances befallen upon me.
______________________________
george
-----Original Message-----
From: Willoughbys Customer Support [mailto:customersupport@willoughbys.com]
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 11:02 PM
To: g.song
Subject: RE: Order Number: WB27842 - HELP with Recently Purchased Panasonic GH-1 via Phone...
They do not allow us to handle exchanges it has to be managed between the consumer and the manufacturer, that is the reason that exchanges are made only on items in the first week when the product is dead upon opening and first time usage. We are not trying to run away from our responsibility but that is the way Panasonic wants it handled and that is the only way your product can be repaired.
Regards
-----Original Message-----
From: g.song
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:35 PM
To: Willoughbys Customer Support
Subject: RE: Order Number: WB27842 - HELP with Recently Purchased Panasonic GH-1 via Phone...
So as an authorized dealer for Panasonic, you guys sell me the DMC-GH1 camera.
Then the neck strap rivet on the unit breaks within 3 weeks of when I purchase it, resulting in the camera falling and hitting the ground.
Thus the LCD screen no longer operates and the camera itself shuts off intermittently.
And though it's been less than 30 days, now you guys are trying to shuffle me off to deal directly with Panasonic... who will ask me to ship it to them (costing me money out of my own pocket) and to be without a camera for 4-8 weeks?
Is this how a customer of Willoughby's is treated?
How would you feel if you were in my shoes? Or does that not matter since you already collected my money?
I need to communicate with a manager or elevate this matter.
Please assist.
Thank you."
What happened to 30 days of customer service?
I find this difficult to believe that there is no service being extended in light of these extraordinary circumstances befallen upon me.
______________________________
george
-----Original Message-----
From: Willoughbys Customer Support [mailto:customersupport@willoughbys.com]
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 11:02 PM
To: g.song
Subject: RE: Order Number: WB27842 - HELP with Recently Purchased Panasonic GH-1 via Phone...
They do not allow us to handle exchanges it has to be managed between the consumer and the manufacturer, that is the reason that exchanges are made only on items in the first week when the product is dead upon opening and first time usage. We are not trying to run away from our responsibility but that is the way Panasonic wants it handled and that is the only way your product can be repaired.
Regards
-----Original Message-----
From: g.song
Sent: Sunday, November 08, 2009 5:35 PM
To: Willoughbys Customer Support
Subject: RE: Order Number: WB27842 - HELP with Recently Purchased Panasonic GH-1 via Phone...
So as an authorized dealer for Panasonic, you guys sell me the DMC-GH1 camera.
Then the neck strap rivet on the unit breaks within 3 weeks of when I purchase it, resulting in the camera falling and hitting the ground.
Thus the LCD screen no longer operates and the camera itself shuts off intermittently.
And though it's been less than 30 days, now you guys are trying to shuffle me off to deal directly with Panasonic... who will ask me to ship it to them (costing me money out of my own pocket) and to be without a camera for 4-8 weeks?
Is this how a customer of Willoughby's is treated?
How would you feel if you were in my shoes? Or does that not matter since you already collected my money?
I need to communicate with a manager or elevate this matter.
Please assist.
Thank you."
Ok update:
I took the camera to lab (Erlich Labs in Tel aviv, also working a lot with B&H).
According to him, the screw missed a glue finish.
He said that always a screw like this must have a glue on it to hold the nut fixed, or for sure after some time it will be loose.
Well, they fixed that, very fast, cause I needed the camera for tommorrow shooting, it is a very good lab.
The fixed cost was 120$.
They had to open the camera totally and take out the nut (he said lucky me there was no short circuit (I thought about it so I didn't use the camera)) and to glue it after closing the nut.
I asked to glue both sides, to be sure for the future.
He gave me 3 month insurance for this fix, and he say it will never open now, he takes full responsibility, and he will try to help me get a refund for this from B&H.
After all, I have this camera less than a week (got it on the 19.11.2009).
To sum up, I am happy I got my camera back in less than one day.
All the users of the GH1, if the rivet is a bit loose - don't wait and get it fix - it will drop sooner than you think, and it can happen when the camera is hanging from your neck...
* And just to be on the safe side - I bought this one http://www.blackrapid.com/product/hardware/fastenr/
I took the camera to lab (Erlich Labs in Tel aviv, also working a lot with B&H).
According to him, the screw missed a glue finish.
He said that always a screw like this must have a glue on it to hold the nut fixed, or for sure after some time it will be loose.
Well, they fixed that, very fast, cause I needed the camera for tommorrow shooting, it is a very good lab.
The fixed cost was 120$.
They had to open the camera totally and take out the nut (he said lucky me there was no short circuit (I thought about it so I didn't use the camera)) and to glue it after closing the nut.
I asked to glue both sides, to be sure for the future.
He gave me 3 month insurance for this fix, and he say it will never open now, he takes full responsibility, and he will try to help me get a refund for this from B&H.
After all, I have this camera less than a week (got it on the 19.11.2009).
To sum up, I am happy I got my camera back in less than one day.
All the users of the GH1, if the rivet is a bit loose - don't wait and get it fix - it will drop sooner than you think, and it can happen when the camera is hanging from your neck...
* And just to be on the safe side - I bought this one http://www.blackrapid.com/product/hardware/fastenr/
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How many of us have had this strap break and are still using the camera without having had it fixed? I'm in Panama and worried about the one tiny Panasonic service center here, when they basically don't even sell the camera. I've been using the camera for weeks with no trouble, but now, I'm starting to get some ghost in the machine sort of issues that make me wonder if I'm hallucinating or not. The other thing is these seem to have started around the same time I got my FD adapter too, so I'm not sure what's going on.
Just curious if anyone else has been using it for awhile, possibly with a loose nut inside of it, and what your experience has been.
Just curious if anyone else has been using it for awhile, possibly with a loose nut inside of it, and what your experience has been.
Peter J. DeCrescenzo
Veteran
Happy Thanksgiving!, unless you're a turkey ... ;-)
I don't know if this has already ben suggested, but for those who continue to use their GH1 neck strap to carry the camera:
Some cheap "insurance" to prevent the camera from falling to the floor and causing serious damage: Consider making a short tether (6"-8") -- for example made out of strong string or thin nylon rope -- and attach each end of the tether to each end of the shoulder strap.
That way, if one of the cam's metal post/loop breaks, the shoulder strap will still be attached to the cam's other metal post/loop, and the cam won't fall off your neck.
Of course, this won't prevent a loose part/fastener from rattling around inside your cam, but at least the cam won't have smashed down onto the floor or worse.
Having said all that, I think something like the BlackRapid tripod screw attachment, at just a few bucks, might be the best way to go -- or maybe used together with this tether idea.
I don't know if this has already ben suggested, but for those who continue to use their GH1 neck strap to carry the camera:
Some cheap "insurance" to prevent the camera from falling to the floor and causing serious damage: Consider making a short tether (6"-8") -- for example made out of strong string or thin nylon rope -- and attach each end of the tether to each end of the shoulder strap.
That way, if one of the cam's metal post/loop breaks, the shoulder strap will still be attached to the cam's other metal post/loop, and the cam won't fall off your neck.
Of course, this won't prevent a loose part/fastener from rattling around inside your cam, but at least the cam won't have smashed down onto the floor or worse.
Having said all that, I think something like the BlackRapid tripod screw attachment, at just a few bucks, might be the best way to go -- or maybe used together with this tether idea.
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