I dropped my dvx

hemipod

Member
Hi guys,

Messing around with dvx100a and it flew off my varizoom stabilizer. :-[For the life of me I don't now how it got unmounted, but the camera hit the ground hard enough to break off the accessorie bracket for the mic and bent the front of the built-in mic. I was able to push the mic back in (the broken accessorie bracket wasn't an issue since I just unscrewed the ramaining piece), but my foremost concern is, of course, the camera itself. Happily, my anamorphic didn't crack and the camera itself seems to take pictures and even audio just as before. I guess what I'm asking you guys if there is a diagnostic test or a procedure I can follow step by step to determine if my camera is 100% okay. Sorry for always posting depressing things on this forum, but I promise to post a link to what i'm working on once I decide it's something I can be proud of.

-hemipod
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

you should get it checked out regardless. There could be some internal damage that is not visable to the eye. I did a shoot a few years ago with my Hi-8 camera involving our TV station's helicopter. I was using the Hi-8 as a second angle while I shot the main photography with a Betacam. The propellers spinning at high speed blew over my tripod and the camera! Even though I was on grass it still did $175 worth of damage to the camera. So with that said, get your DVX checked out!
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

Thanks so much for the reply!

I live in Los Angeles.... is there a place I can take it to locally?--do I send it to panasonic?

Please advise,

Hemipod
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

This is the messed up part. I assume you bought the MACK Warranty? (Of couorse when you assume...)

Sounds like an East Coast issue.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

yes, I bought the mack warranty. You mean I can send the unit to them? :o

I assumed the warranty only covered normal wear and tear...

Actually, I have no idea what the warranty actually covers. I only purchased the extended 2year from mack because the salesperson said I'd be an idiot not to... that tape heads get worn out, etc.

I'll check on the mack website to see what is covered/what to do. I was actually hoping for a solve that didn't involve shipping my uint out but something more along the lines of swinging by a repair shop with the camera; having a technician run some kind of diagnostic on it on the spot. I guess too much wishful thinking on my part (i'm flying to montreal next week for some shooting).

sigh.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

we had a dvx take a hard fall when an operator was running full speed and tripped.. camera hit the ground bounced 10 feet in the air and kept going.... had it checked out and it was fine, the only thing was the matte infront of the lens got rotated that was just rotated back.

Point being.. The DVX is pretty tuff... hopefully its ok. you should still get it checked out, email Jan or send her a PM (shes the dvx100 product manager and a DVXuser member) and ask where to get it looked at.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

Believe it or not, Radio Shack works on cameras! Not sure about 3 chip prosumer cameras like ours but I had them fix my Hi-8 camera several times. They had to send it out to get worked on but it was within the same state. The camera came back working just fine! I personally would only get my DVX looked at, at a Panasonic authorized dealer BUT you can check with Radio Shack to see if they are such a dealer because my Hi-8 is a Sony and they were a authorized to do work on Sony cameras.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

I wouldn't even let Radioshack change the battery in my cell phone.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

i hope that was a joke...because you should know how to change your cell phone battery! LOL! Radio Shack is not bad. Like I said they send it out to their technical shop. Its not repaired at the store! I mean if they are an authorized Panasonic Dealer to work on Panasonic cameras then what is the big deal? I am not saying they are, you will have to call them and find out. I just know I took my Sony to them several times for different things and they fixed it and had it back to me within 2 weeks.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

Thanks guys! I'm feeling a lot better. It seems to function okay, but I'll be sure to have it looked at when I get the chance. :)

I've sent Jan the product rep a pm, but I haven't heard back yet. When I do, I'll get it serviced.

When it happend, my camera was mounted on a videosmith mini rover, which, in turn was mounted on a flowpod. The mini rover is a bracket that adds a handle and a second accessorie shoe for a mic, etc. Apparently, the screw for the mini rover is really short--the camera just popped of since it probably was held in place by just a couple revolutions of the screw thread. I don't know if anyone is familiar with the wondercam mini rover, but it seems like a really crappy design (as far as the mount is concerned--not too cheap either $50 at BandH).

live and learn.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

to warn you in advance, dont crank down the dvx mounting screw next time to try and keep it on the stand- or whatever mount. ..it will opnly take so much , and then it will break the thread mount in there. you just need to be sure the screw is in mor eth an a few turns, and that it will not shake or turn itself loose. anyawy, overtightening it is a very bad idea.
 
Re: I dropped my dvx

Jarred, it bounced TEN FEET IN THE AIR! and it WORKED AFTERWARDS?!

Wow, all the more reason to love our little buddy
 
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