How do I know if a Gh-1 is hackable?

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ycabrera

Active member
Hey guys,

Do I know if a gh-1 is hackable through serial number of by firmware? I was under the impression that as long as firmware is 1.2, it's hackable. But if anyone could make this clearer, that'd be great!

Cheers!
 
both but the easiest way is serial, it will tell you what firmware you probably have without even turning on the camera and going into service mode.
 
Well, I'm thinking of buying a gh-1, but he has a 1.3 firmware on it. and his serial is #WE9HB001194.

is there a site for telling up to what serial number is good for hacking?
 
ycabrera said:
Well, I'm thinking of buying a gh-1, but he has a 1.3 firmware on it. and his serial is #WE9HB001194.

is there a site for telling up to what serial number is good for hacking?
Click to expand...


WE9H means that it's a 2009 camera, made sometime in August that year - and all 2009 GH1's are hackable. (see below)

My one reservation would be the 1.3 firmware. That wasn't out when the camera was made - so why is it showing v1.3?

Has it been returned to Panasonic for some reason - if so, did they upgrade the firmware, and if so, what did they put on it?

Alternatively, was it a shop return? - perhaps someone had it a couple of days before returning it, and upgraded the firmware before they took it back?

If they did, they can't have made it un-hackable because 1.34 isn't available to the public. 1.32 is the most they could have installed - and that's fine.

However, as it *has* got 1.3 on it, I wouldn't buy it without checking the exact version of 1.3 in the service menu. An untouched 2009 GH1 would not have 1.3 firmware.

2010 models are hackable up to May (WE0E), after that it gets dicey.

Some early June models (WE0F) were hacked - but later June models had firmware v1.34 applied to stop it. I know, because I ordered one that was a June model (WE0F) and a check in the service menu revealed it to be 1.34.

Note that the v1.3 firmware that's reported in the standard menu doesn't mean much - they all say '1.3' - the question is whether it's 1.32 (hackable) or 1,34 (un-hackable)
 
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ycabrera said:
Well, I'm thinking of buying a gh-1, but he has a 1.3 firmware on it. and his serial is #WE9HB001194.

is there a site for telling up to what serial number is good for hacking?
Click to expand...


yes...this site =) there may also be a wiki? search this forum for serial thread.
 
Thanks for all the help guys! =) I'll keep this in mind for purchasing. What's a good going price at the moment? I'm getting $700 offers for this thing. And I wonder if I should just go for the t2i at that price. =S
 
I've heard rumours that the latest batch don't just give a "no valid picture" message, but that there's a picture of a Japanese guy in a Panasonic T-shirt giving you the finger.

But maybe it's just a rumour...
 
For $700, I'm getting the body only. Not with lens, if it were with lens, I too would jump on it. I understand that bodies go for $575-600. But I'm not sure if the extra $100 on top is justified.

But I could be wrong of course. What's the consensus in here? Is $700 a good price for a hackable GH-1 body?

Thanks!
 
ycabrera said:
For $700, I'm getting the body only. Not with lens, if it were with lens, I too would jump on it. I understand that bodies go for $575-600. But I'm not sure if the extra $100 on top is justified.

But I could be wrong of course. What's the consensus in here? Is $700 a good price for a hackable GH-1 body?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Unless you just really need this thing today for a job, I don't know that I'd pay much more than that for a NEW IN BOX, HACKABLE GH1. I just bought a brand new GH1 body from Cameraland/eBay for $660, but I doubt it is hackable...but that wasn't important to me. Having a backup/unmanned/balcony camera with amazing low light capability (20mm f1.7) for my wedding jobs WAS a priority...so grabbed one.

But if you're not in dire need of a hacked GH1, I'd be patient and save your money for the GH2 or whatever wonderful camera comes out next, with a better codec from the factory.

Good luck!
 
ycabrera said:
For $700, I'm getting the body only. Not with lens, if it were with lens, I too would jump on it. I understand that bodies go for $575-600. But I'm not sure if the extra $100 on top is justified.

But I could be wrong of course. What's the consensus in here? Is $700 a good price for a hackable GH-1 body?

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Until fairly recently UK prices were approximately double those in he US.

This is because we have a lot of people to keep in social security benefits, a lot of Royals to keep in the style to which they have become accustomed , a lot of Eurocrats to keep in glass palaces, and a lot of foreign despots to keep in luxury via the 'foreign aid' budget.

Thus, taxes are high, and things cost more - a lot more.

However, the GH1 is now available (in red) for £400 in the UK - which equates to $625.

Your US price is far more than a UK price - which, hitherto, is unheard of.
 
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