GH2 Oh Darn ... I dropped my camera, now it's making a high-pitched noise

Noah Truth

Noah Truth

Active member
I dropped it from about 2 feet. It was in a padded camera bag. Now whenever I hit the power switch, it makes two very brief high-pitched noises, almost like a cricket. Other than that, operation is completely normal as far as I can tell. It's only this strange noise. The noise occurs after I remove the lens, so it seems to be related to the body.

Should I be concerned about this? Is this normal? I don't want to take it into a camera store and get ripped off.

Any suggestions? I'm sort of freaking out.
 
Why do you assume a camera store would rip you off? If it has an issue that needs addressed I would just send it to Panisonic to get it taken care of. It will most certainly take a while as their service dept is no where near that of Canon. But they will get the job done in time. Did you try shutting off the beep setting in menus?
 
maranfilms said:
Why do you assume a camera store would rip you off? If it has an issue that needs addressed I would just send it to Panisonic to get it taken care of. It will most certainly take a while as their service dept is no where near that of Canon. But they will get the job done in time. Did you try shutting off the beep setting in menus?
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If it's a non-issue, I don't want to take it to a camera store just so they can charge me for unnecessary work. I figured maybe I'd ask on this forum to see if any has had a similar experience and would be willing to share their perspective. The beep settings are off, it's not coming from the internal speaker.
 
This is what I dread about handling my baby every day. I never want to drop it, but accidents happen. Sorry to hear about a wounded soldier like that. (almost sounds sexual)

But yeah it sounds like its just some kind of warning beep. I wonder if there is a setting that would stop that.
 
Kevin Lee said:
This is what I dread about handling my baby every day. I never want to drop it, but accidents happen. Sorry to hear about a wounded soldier like that. (almost sounds sexual)

But yeah it sounds like its just some kind of warning beep. I wonder if there is a setting that would stop that.
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I'm such an idiot. I just got done with a shoot and went out to grab a quick drink. We had to move tables and I stood up and grabbed my coat, forgetting the camera was under it. BOOM, it hits the ground. It may just be my paranoia, but I feel like it wasn't making this sound before. Again though, it's not a beep coming from the speaker or a beeping sound at all. It's more like a very slight squeaking of gears as the lens adjusts.
 
You are not alone... I dropped mine from the tripod top, having accidentally opened the quick release. Repair included changing the motherboard, but was not too expensive really (about a quarter of the new camera price), and the camera works just fine now. The heavy 11-22 zuiko survived unharmed.
 
Noah Truth said:
I dropped it from about 2 feet. It was in a padded camera bag.

Should I be concerned about this? Is this normal? I don't want to take it into a camera store and get ripped off.

Any suggestions? I'm sort of freaking out.
Click to expand...

Any time a camera is subjected to "shock" or "impact" it should probably be "checked out", but not by folks in a camera store. I would contact Panasonic, describe the "incident" and what is going on now with the camera. Ask their advice.

Second thing I would do...Is immediately"snatch" up one of the likely VERY FEW remaining GH2 bodies at B&H. Price apparently came down from $649 to $599 and I think that is as low as it is going to go.

Hesitate and they'll be gone.

Used GH2 body prices in this site's sale forum seem to be hitting that same level.
 
I agree with Bruce both on the check-up and the spare body. When mine needed repair I bought another house. Very reassuring to have two, and nice to have a B-cam as well. I have my two GH2's in the bag with my two most used lenses mounted. Pure luxury...

Noah, from your description of the start-up sound it could be the sensor shaking off dust and hitting something, which might indicate a misaligned sensor...
 
troelskirk said:
I agree with Bruce both on the check-up and the spare body. When mine needed repair I bought another house. Very reassuring to have two, and nice to have a B-cam as well. I have my two GH2's in the bag with my two most used lenses mounted. Pure luxury...

Noah, from your description of the start-up sound it could be the sensor shaking off dust and hitting something, which might indicate a misaligned sensor...
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If only I had a spare $600 lying around I would probably purchase another body. I just purchased a fairly expensive lens two days ago via ebay and now may have to contemplate selling it.

You may be right about the sensor, though after several tests, there doesn't seem to be any functional issues or abnormalities on the recorded content. I'll have to keep my eyes open.
 
High-pitched noises from dropped objects are not unusual. I often ignore them because, like my 9-year-old son, they almost always abate.
 
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