Mister Big
Well-known member
Well, I shredded my tripod socket using a Manfrotto monopod with the "dual" screw. Manfrotto has emailed me saying that the monopod isn't designed for video, the DVX is inherently weak in the tripod area, blah, blah, blah. They suggested I spend another $55 on an adapter so I can use my 503 head quick release. Personally, I think they need to put a warning sticker on that monopod because I'm not the first guy this has happened to.
The whole experience has made me less trusting of the DVX's ability to stay mounted to anything more than a proper tripod -- including car mounts, etc. Can't believe two almost microscopic screws are all that hold that plastic tripod socket to the DVX.
So with the help of members on this forum, I ordered the replacement part and swapped it out myself in under fifteen minutes.
Below, I describe how the operation went for me. Please don't blame me if it doesn't work out as well for you.
Here's how I did it (not rocket science):
Started removing the five screws on the baseplate with a Radio Shack set of precision screwdrivers. Couldn't do it. Fingers kept slipping on the grip. Was worried I'd strip the screw heads.
Got a QUALITY precision screwdriver set, fingers don't slip, and viola, the screws pop right out.
Then, I removed the two (surprisingly) smaller screws holding in the tripod socket.
The socket was broke in two and with a little jiggling and probing both pieces easily slipped out of the camera.
I gently slid in the replacement part, one end in first, and it went it. But it now sits too low to drive a screw into it.
So I used a small screw driver as a probe in the actual threaded socket to pull up pull up the socket and used another screwdriver to put back the first screw. Then I put in the second screw.
Put the screws back in the base plate and it's done.
Tips:
1. Buy yourself a quality precision screwdriver set and keep it handy.
2. Work in a clean, well lighted flat surface and don't mix the tripod socket's smaller screws in with the base plate's bigger screws.
I would have shipped this thing off to an authorized repair center if I hadn't had DVXUSER as a resource, so thanks for everyone's help.
For the record, here is a paste from another post by DVXUSER poster rcbrown23
which helped me get the repair part:
I had to call Panasonic technical support in the beginning. At first, they could not help me and said they'd call me back within a few days. To my surprise, a representative actually did call me back, with the part number and everything. She said to call 1-800-833-9626 and order part number "VMD3345", for $11.57.
That same day, i had posted a similar thread to yours, in the "technical" forum site. Someone said they too had the part, for the same price. His contact info is:
Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
So there you have it for the next time -- or first time -- this happens to you.
Mister Big
San Francisco, CA
The whole experience has made me less trusting of the DVX's ability to stay mounted to anything more than a proper tripod -- including car mounts, etc. Can't believe two almost microscopic screws are all that hold that plastic tripod socket to the DVX.
So with the help of members on this forum, I ordered the replacement part and swapped it out myself in under fifteen minutes.
Below, I describe how the operation went for me. Please don't blame me if it doesn't work out as well for you.
Here's how I did it (not rocket science):
Started removing the five screws on the baseplate with a Radio Shack set of precision screwdrivers. Couldn't do it. Fingers kept slipping on the grip. Was worried I'd strip the screw heads.
Got a QUALITY precision screwdriver set, fingers don't slip, and viola, the screws pop right out.
Then, I removed the two (surprisingly) smaller screws holding in the tripod socket.
The socket was broke in two and with a little jiggling and probing both pieces easily slipped out of the camera.
I gently slid in the replacement part, one end in first, and it went it. But it now sits too low to drive a screw into it.
So I used a small screw driver as a probe in the actual threaded socket to pull up pull up the socket and used another screwdriver to put back the first screw. Then I put in the second screw.
Put the screws back in the base plate and it's done.
Tips:
1. Buy yourself a quality precision screwdriver set and keep it handy.
2. Work in a clean, well lighted flat surface and don't mix the tripod socket's smaller screws in with the base plate's bigger screws.
I would have shipped this thing off to an authorized repair center if I hadn't had DVXUSER as a resource, so thanks for everyone's help.
For the record, here is a paste from another post by DVXUSER poster rcbrown23
which helped me get the repair part:
I had to call Panasonic technical support in the beginning. At first, they could not help me and said they'd call me back within a few days. To my surprise, a representative actually did call me back, with the part number and everything. She said to call 1-800-833-9626 and order part number "VMD3345", for $11.57.
That same day, i had posted a similar thread to yours, in the "technical" forum site. Someone said they too had the part, for the same price. His contact info is:
Andrew Hoffman
Senior Operations Manager
Specialized Communications Corp.
20940 Twin Springs Dr.
Smithsburg, MD 21783-1510 USA
800-359-1858
Fax: 301-790-0173
andrewh@spec-comm.com
www.spec-comm.com
So there you have it for the next time -- or first time -- this happens to you.
Mister Big
San Francisco, CA
