Panasonic looks to reassure G7 owners with rubbed-off serial numbers

Note to self. Avoid Panasonic, box and all.

I purchased three post 2008 Nikkors FX made in Japan few months ago. I'm surprise that the serial numbers are printed on the boxes but not on the lenses. However, the SN are engraved on my DX lenses, the boxes, and the registration cards.

Looking at my (film) cameras and lenses made before 1980, serial numbers are engraved on the front element bezel on Nikkor and Konica lens and on the aperture ring on Canon.

I am not an advocate of government intervention, but perhaps government should mandate uniform labeling by engraving of SN on lenses similar to the VIN on motor vehicles.

I have registered with the respective manufacturers all my lenses, camera bodies, electronic flash. Have taken pictures and created an inventory stored in my computer and copies on multiple portable drives stores in fireproof box and safety deposit box, incase of insurance claim from theft, fire, & losses.

Recovery of items that has no SN is impossible but I'll not waste my time engraving the SN.

My Nikon cameras serial number is printed on a metallic label located out of the way in a recess at the bottom. Similarly recent Nikon lenses have their serial number in a metallic label located in a recess on the bottom of the lens body. Earlier Nikon SLR bodies and lenses have their serial numbers directly engraved on the body.

This has happened on my LX5, and mt lx7 is showing signs of it.

Serial numbers are bad enough, but the labels on the various buttons on several camera bodies (and lenses) also wear off. I have taken to covering them with clear coat nail polish (very carefully). This is disappointing on otherwise expensive and well made equipment (like a D800 or GH4).

In the not so distant past, labels were engraved and filled with colored paint - even on inexpensive products (look at old Nikon manual lenses). At one time, plastic buttons were made by a (more expensive) two-shoot molding process, where the lettering integral to the part. Early computer keyboards were made this way.

Seems like manufacturers are cutting costs in trivial ways. I am sure that with modern technology, making wear resistant labeling is not impossible.

I don't really have a horse in this, but it doesn't seem a fair deal. How could customers have known to keep the box? I think Panasonic should extend warranties on genuine G7s (one would hope they can tell...) to the last rubbable production date + standard warranty period + grace period of six months (as production date and sale date will differ, and normally warranties are valid from the date of sale, not production).

Panasonic should provide a service to engrave the numbers properly. I presume that they will have to do so in the future. VRR

They should really do what Lenovo ThinkPad and Apple are doing. Provide warranty service base on unit's internal/external serial number and don't ask about warranty card, registration, proof of purchase.

It makes selling/buying used units and getting warranty service much easier.

The serial number is almost completely rubbed off on my G7 and I really haven't used it that much. Looks like the ink used on the serial number is bad as the rest of the Panasonic info on the label is just fine.

When reporting a lost or stolen item the police [and I believe your insurance company] require a serial number to properly describe it in the NCIC [National Crime Information Center] data base. Without the serial number if an item is recovered there is no reasonable way to prove or show ownership. In my opinion Panasonics response to the problem indicates a total lack of understanding all the issues involved, which go beyond the warranty. And I don't think Panasonic is alone in this "cut costs to keep the shareholders happy" mentality where a robotic engraving a serial number will cost somewhat more.

Actually the editorial has it wrong - Panasonic's statement doesn't in fact say that the serial number label from the box would be required for warranty validation, it says the number is there if you want to refer to it. (It is also in the EXIF data of course.) In any case, such a condition would be unenforceable in the EU, and probably elsewhere too.

Actually my biggest concern wouldn't be warranty claims, it would be not having a serial number on the body in the event of loss or theft. Having had a bag of gear stolen last year, all the serial numbered items were recovered and all the non-numbered items were not. And selling it myself when the time comes might be harder if the serial number has rubbed off.

I have to laugh at the expressions of shock and condemnation below. Has your favourite brand never suffered any kind of manufacturing defect? I don't currently own any Panasonic gear but this would not put me off in the slightest.

Drop prices by 45% and all will be forgiven.

Face it, it's just shoddy manufacturing. All my Minolta lenses have proper paint filled deep engraving and will never wear off. How times have changed. But surely high tech whizzo robots can engrave numbers cheaply? Come on Panasonic, can you not do better?

Panasonic says it 'does not mean the cameras are not genuine', but this does not mean they are not fake copies if the number is not present. Not good logic. With fakes of camera gear now everywhere in abundance, who can tell?

Another reason to buy Olympus :-)

Kinda in love with this camera

Panasonic : can we have the serial number printed on again under warranty?
;-)

I wonder if the huge "LUMIX" lettering rubs off as well...

I remember that Canon EOS 350 D had same issue. The serial number disappeared from the body in some days of use. No problem regarding warranty issues though. As long as I had a valid receipt there was no problem. And it should also be no problem with this camera too.

Store the UPC symbol on the box to get warranty? I've heard of crazy-talk warranty policies, but darn. I'm avoiding Panasonic whenever possible from here on.

Who cares about serial numbers rubbing off when they're digitally stored in the body. Panasonic, concentrate on solving the shutter shock issue, please! Why no EFCS?

Remember when things like markings on cameras and lenses, even cheap ones were engraved and paint-filled on the bodies? This was before CHEAP silk-screening of paint was around. I have a Sigma lens that has NO focus scale because it rubbed off!!

This is seriously a serial problem.

Panasonic must catch this serial killer...

.

Oh come on Leica lenses from the 1950s still have their serial numbers clear and visible, camera gear should be able to show serial numbers with zero percent of a problem

So, "SN can NOT be rubbed off" +"No shutter shock" = 100% "knockoff" G7.

Yes?

>> as long as you retain proof of purchase and the label from the camera box that states the serial number.

So if the camera was a gift or you already threw out the box, you're screwed? Sorry Panasonic, not good enough.

pass

Long live Panasonic. some manufacturers there, have their rubber part of their cameras rubbed-off but they have done nothing !

Would rather they address shutter shock and at least announce that they are working on a fix for it.

I'll return the camera for a full refund.

If your serial number rubs off to reveal a "666" underneath then you'll finally understand why all the people in your photos have a shadow next to them.

"... our factory in Japan" ?
These cameras are made in China !

Still not as bad as expensive Sony Zeiss emount lenses having their serial number as a STICKER on the bottom of the lens barrel that is easily moved around and peeled off in a few days of use.

Panasonic Manufacturing needs to rediscover the fine lost art of ENGRAVING.

Brilliant move on panasonics part. I can see the other manufacturers copying this excellent wrarranty dodge.

I suppose some camera owners recklessly fail to keep the cardboard box that their camera came in. Jeez, what's wrong with those people. :-)