Grinding noise when using the focus ring.. help!

J

jigga420

Member
I've just noticed a grinding noise when I turn the focus ring on my hvx. It feels as if theres sand or some dust particles stuck between the actual ring. When I turn it, its no longer a smooth sound free motion.

Any thoughts on how I can fix this? Is there a way to get to the focus ring, take it off and clean it?

Some ideas/help would be great.
 
More than likely you have sand under the ring. It seems to be a common problem that Panasonic charges ~$1,000 USD to replace the lens assembly. There are people that have removed the lens and claimed to have cleaned it. There is a lubricant around the inside of the ring that probably catches the grit. I have no idea what type of lubricant this is and would not put just anything near the glass. If you are still under warranty, don't void it by doing it yourself. Send it to Panny.
 
If you see a cloud of dust coming, how can you protect the camera?

Which parts are most vulnerable to dust or sand?

What needs to be covered or gaffer-taped to prevent dust from getting into the focus ring?
 
Just went through the exact same thing when I was caught in the prop wash of a helicopter. Panasonic an't gonna cover you under warranty, dust and sand in the focus ring is operator wear and tear.

The scoop is that Pansonic does not put out any diagrams, blueprints, assembly instructions or special lubricant to any of the authorized repair centers, they only want to sell a lens assembly at $1,000.00 a pop, plus labor.

I was lucky and found an authorized repair center in LA. The owner filled me in on all of this. There is no guarantee that it can be cleaned, it depends on how much you have damaged it by using it while it was full of grit. If the focus motor is going out, even more $$$.

I can tell you that mine was attacked by helicopter dust cloud and I had it in for repair the next morning. It cost $700.00 and the focus is as good as new. This is if you take it someone good who really knows what they are doing. If you take it to most service centers or to Panny, they will say U.S. $1,000.00+ labor for a new lens assembly.

Not sure what the repair situation is in Australia. The guy who did the great job with mine is in LA.

Daktulus, if you see a dust cloud coming, you are screwed, there is nothing you can do with your hands or a jacket or shirt that's going to keep the dust out. I was caught in the prop wash of a cargo helicopter. It drove dust, sand, weeds into my eyes, my skin, the focus and zoom rings and deep into my Sachtler head. I spent $1,200.00 in cleaning and repair for :30 in a dust storm.

The only prevention would be an underwater housing and there is no way to tripod mount an HVX in an underwater housing. Even those camera jackets wouldn't have helped in the least as they are not even close to airtight. When you have fine dust in the air, powered by a windstorm or prop wash, it is going to go everywhere.

Dan
 
Actually if you have advance warning or expectation of severe dust, you can protect your camera by using a large ZipLoc type bag (I'm serious). Put a UV or other protective filter on the camera. Cut a hole just big enough for the lens, place the camera in the bag and gaffer-tape the lens opening to the perimeter of the filter. Insert the bolt of the tripod head THRU the bottom of the bag, so as not to create any entrance point for dust. Needless to say, you must have everything set and ready before doing this, no external cables, etc. But hey, it's for emergencies!
If you just need protection while the dust settles and are not shooting, just always have a big Ziploc in your grip box that you can grab in a matter of seconds.

Regarding the original post, there's a chance you can clean it out with a duster or air compressor with a fine nozzle. Go all the way around everwhere, multiple times, where you think there's a gap that dust/sand could have gotten into. Even if there's lube, you may still be able to blow out the sand.
 
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