GH3 Repair experience with my GH3

M

matpag

New member
I bought one of the early production models of the GH3 through Amazon, I received my unit the end of November, 2012. I was pleased with the latest model of the GH series as most of my work is oriented toward video.

While I was attending NAB 2013 I started having problems with my camera shutting down while doing time-lapse photography. A few days later my camera shut down while filming an interview. I was not able to power it up after that.

Panasonic repair was slow (it took 13 days including shipping both ways to get the camera back) yet they delivered within the timeframes they stated upfront. I did not have to pay for the repair because the camera is still under warrantee. I did have to pay for shipping to the McAllen, TX repair center. So far the camera appears to be working fine. The technician replaced the main PCB.

I have had no problems with my GH1 and GH2 and they have been exposed to some tough outdoor conditions. Not having the camera for 2 weeks was difficult. Overall it was a good experience, I am hopeful I will not have any more problems going forward.
 
My luck was different....... I live in the States and bought My camera from Canada as they had it first. My camera as well stopped working and would not turn on. It's been about 2 weeks as well and I finally got noticed that they fixed it and are shipping it back. In the meantime I been using a Hacked GH2 and a rented GH3.

I must say that GH3 is a better camera inside and out even though the early adopters such as myself experienced this problem. GH3 has more detail and a lot better colors than GH2, anyone who is thinking about it make the jump.

peace
 
I live in Rome (Italy).
Also happened to me during a session of photographs, the camera turned off.
After it is turned on, the LCD did not appear before the shoot photos.
I pulled the SD card on the computer and check for damage: there were all the photos.
Is a defect in the GH3?
Or the SD card is defective?
I use a Sony SDHC UHS-I 32 Gb 94MB / s
 
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matpag said:
I bought one of the early production models of the GH3 through Amazon, I received my unit the end of November, 2012. I was pleased with the latest model of the GH series as most of my work is oriented toward video.

While I was attending NAB 2013 I started having problems with my camera shutting down while doing time-lapse photography. A few days later my camera shut down while filming an interview. I was not able to power it up after that.

Panasonic repair was slow (it took 13 days including shipping both ways to get the camera back) yet they delivered within the timeframes they stated upfront. I did not have to pay for the repair because the camera is still under warrantee. I did have to pay for shipping to the McAllen, TX repair center. So far the camera appears to be working fine. The technician replaced the main PCB.

I have had no problems with my GH1 and GH2 and they have been exposed to some tough outdoor conditions. Not having the camera for 2 weeks was difficult. Overall it was a good experience, I am hopeful I will not have any more problems going forward.
Click to expand...

I'm curious.... Was this problem pre or post the GH3 firmware update they released in late March?

My experience with sending in my (unhacked) GH2 was pretty horrible. It was just a hair out of warranty and cost hundreds of dollars. And the price they quoted was below what they ended up charging. Oh, and since I'm in Texas, they charged sales tax of course.

FYI - The "secret" most people don't know is that they ship the equipment over the boarder to Mexico for repair (they're located in McAllen, TX) where labor costs are much lower. Every time an out of warranty camera breaks, it's actually an opportunity to generate more than a little revenue.
 
Good question on the firmware, the thought crossed my mind. The repaired unit came back with version 1.0 installed. I can't image a firmware upgrade would cause a PCB to become defective but who knows. I am going to wait on the firmware upgrade for now. If I have any more problems I will have to abandon the product line, at this point digital cameras should not break if cared for properly.
 
Matpag, what do you mean by 'early production models'? Did they change something later?
Or did you mean 'pre-production' model?
 
I still have not updated my GH3 with the new firmware released in March.
I've downloaded on my PC.
I have read the specs, but the fix is not mentioned on this type of defect in the sudden shutdown of the GH3.
 
Good point, I had a backup, interview is fine. My point is you want a reliable camera. My previous experience with the GH1 and GH2 convinced me these cameras are reliable.
 
I put my GH3 order in the day Amazon allowed preorders. When Panasonic started shipping into the distribution channel I got one of the cameras from this initial release. I do not know if there is any difference from my camera and say cameras shipping today.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Everything breaks. Usually at the worst time.

That's why pros carry backup(s).
Click to expand...

When still shooting BetaSP, I never brought a backup. Same in miniDV days, even though cameras got way more affordable.
My HVX never needed a backup too.
DSLRs became more of "B" cams for me, if I bring a second (or third) to a gig, it will record another angle.
If I needed to double up on everything in case it breaks, I'd need a second car or much larger budgets.
At some point of time, I just have to trust, that I invested my money wisely.
If the GH3 can´t hold up to what a cheapo t2i can (functioning without failure), that would be a shame.
So far mine has worked fine, but hasn't gotten that much use yet, to allow final judgement.
 
Defective components are usually the cause of failures like this in any electronic product, especially in early production. If there is a consistent failure pattern, Panasonic like most manufacturers will fix the problem for new production. This is why warranties exist. Probably has nothing to do with how you use the camera.
Good reason not to be an early adopter of new electronic products. Most such bugs will be fixed in the first year.

In commercial systems integration where 24/7 reliability is paramount we typically don't install new technology in its first year of production.
 
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I ended up buying my GH3 at a local store here in town. The hotshoe became loose and the flash didnt work. I just brought it back to them and they swapped out it out for me. They didnt have any in stock so they gave me the display one which hasnt even been out for a week. Its practically brand new.

This work out for me. I hope i dont have to send it out ever.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Everything breaks. Usually at the worst time.

That's why pros carry backup(s).
Click to expand...




Spartacus said:
When still shooting BetaSP, I never brought a backup. Same in miniDV days, even though cameras got way more affordable.
My HVX never needed a backup too.
DSLRs became more of "B" cams for me, if I bring a second (or third) to a gig, it will record another angle.
If I needed to double up on everything in case it breaks, I'd need a second car or much larger budgets.
At some point of time, I just have to trust, that I invested my money wisely.
Click to expand...

If you shoot for a client and something fails to where you cannot complete your project with the look promised, and your client sues...

...You are in for a rude awakening.

Several courts have held in such cases that a pro, doing a project for a client for pay, should have "identical" or "close to identical" backup equipment.

So I carried two Hasselblads (film days), two flash setups, and when doing proms or formal dances I had two electric advance cameras so in case of problems I could make a 5 minute or faster changeover.


Spartacus said:
If the GH3 can´t hold up to what a cheapo t2i can (functioning without failure), that would be a shame.
So far mine has worked fine, but hasn't gotten that much use yet, to allow final judgement.
Click to expand...

Shame or not, doesn't matter. Stuff fails to function. I don't care about final judgement, I like me GH3 enough I got a second one. While I don't do paying jobs anymore I still want backup for personal projects in case of problems. So while I don't have problems I can do B-roll with the second or run two for different perspectives on the same action.
 
Bruce Foreman said:
If you shoot for a client and something fails to where you cannot complete your project with the look promised, and your client sues...

...You are in for a rude awakening.

Several courts have held in such cases that a pro, doing a project for a client for pay, should have "identical" or "close to identical" backup equipment.

So I carried two Hasselblads (film days), two flash setups, and when doing proms or formal dances I had two electric advance cameras so in case of problems I could make a 5 minute or faster changeover.




Shame or not, doesn't matter. Stuff fails to function. I don't care about final judgement, I like me GH3 enough I got a second one. While I don't do paying jobs anymore I still want backup for personal projects in case of problems. So while I don't have problems I can do B-roll with the second or run two for different perspectives on the same action.
Click to expand...

totally agree!

I have GH1, GH2 and GH3's all rolling. If one dies, Ill grab one of them as my main. I also have a cheapo canon kicking around and a Hero 3 black just in case.

regardless, you need backups
 
I completed the repair request online, but I have to pay for m own shipping to Tx. Should I call or is this standard? Thing of just returning to B&H bc I need the camera by June 16th. That is only 2.5 weeks, including sending it there. For those who have had it serviced, is 2 weeks enough time? I may just buy a replacement from B&H is they will accept my return as they have some in stock. I bought it in January.
 
Ianscreations said:
I completed the repair request online, but I have to pay for m own shipping to Tx. Should I call or is this standard? Thing of just returning to B&H bc I need the camera by June 16th. That is only 2.5 weeks, including sending it there. For those who have had it serviced, is 2 weeks enough time? I may just buy a replacement from B&H is they will accept my return as they have some in stock. I bought it in January.
Click to expand...

If the camera is new and has problems, and B&H will take it back without issue, that's absolutely the way to go. Panasonic service for consumer gear is pretty crappy in my personal experience.
 
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