Its finally happened! Dropped my AF101, need to replace lens mount

TubEfingers

TubEfingers

Well-known member
So after taking my AF101 on helicopters, boats, wind turbines and rooftops I managed to damage it on a simple office based corporate shoot - monopod tipped over and no cosmetic damage but when i tried to remove the voigtlander lens it was jammed, gave it a hard twist and removed it, no damage to the lens but the metal mount is buckled.
Has anyone else had the misfortune to damage their cam in this way? and if so - where and how did you go about getting it repaired? Appreciate any pointers, if i cant get it fixed this may be the excuse Im looking for to invest in the JVC LS300 or another new cam.
 
The mount and sensor group are all the same part... So economically you're getting another camera (used AF or whatever)
 
Sorry for your loss.

TubEfingers said:
, if i cant get it fixed this may be the excuse Im looking for to invest in the JVC LS300 or another new cam.
Click to expand...

You should look for a new camera.

It would be more to fix it than to buy a new AF100 right now... it is the type of repair where they send the camera back to Japan to do it in a clean room environment. I had my work camera's lens mount (and sensor) replaced a few years ago. Wasn't a fun process.
 
Get a 2nd hand AF100, they are cheep as chips! We picked up one recently with 50 hours on the clock, 2 32 gb cards, 14-140 lens and a kata bag for $800 AUD! so good!

P.S. your work looks really good bro!
 
Sorry to hear about that one TubEfingers... Dang! EndCredits has a great suggestion... Ref: buying a used Af100. B&H has the AF100 used for $1k U.S. Also the AF100A brand new for $2k. I remember seeing a sale on the AF100A new, for $1.5k not too long ago at the same store. I seriously thought about making that purchase. That JVC LS300 made me take pause... Just long enough for me to miss that previously mentioned sale... Wound up not purchasing either. I certainly wouldn't pass up a deal like the one EndCredits was fortunate enough to get. Yep... Even in today's current camera world.
 
Buying another AF101 is tempting, as fellow users you can all appreciate how good it feels when we develop the ability to operate/set up shots without even thinking due to familiarity with the controls and the characteristics of the sensor.
And once you get some nice glass in front of that sensor it becomes a great cam....the images I get using the Voigtlander 25mm still amaze me, I'd love a full set of their primes, I swear they contain some sort of magic - more recently I invested in the Olympus Pro 12-40 & 40-150 which are also a great asset.
I just don't see those nice skin tones in other cams in that 3-4K price bracket, that Panasonic mojo - which makes me think what a shame it is that they never followed up with a successor.........
Unless some amazing new cam hits the market in the next few months I'm 99% likely gonna buy a JVC LS300 to work alongside our surviving AF101 & AC161, theres a lot to like about that camera, it seems like JVC are really investing in the cam with all the updates.
Thanks for your condolences guys, and for your compliment @Endcredits, appreciate it!
 
Good news! The repair centre were able to source a new mount from Pansonic - tested and all working well, cost of repair and collection/delivery £350!!!
 
Camera repaired and returned! All working ok, tested with native and legacy lenses.
Best bit is..........£415 inc VAT for repair/collection/delivery! Happy and relieved is an understatement.
The JVC LS300 will have to be put on the back burner for now, something to look forward to in the not too distant future :)

*I guess this means the sensor block/mount aren't actually connected in the way many assumed and so gives hope to other AF101 users when their camera hits the floor/wall etc
 
your lens mount is a simple ring with 4 screws, remove it with a jewelers screwdriver, if you can replace it from panasonic great, otherwise do like I did, remove it straighten it on a vice, and put it back on. I recently dropped mine, and incurred similar damage. I have broken casing issues and one less viewfinder, but after straightening the lens mount I have been able to use it again, although I don't think I'd take it on a paid job looking like it does now.
 
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