TZ3 lens cover

I'm interested in buying the TZ3, but was wondering about the durability of the built in lens cover. The sample model at my local costco was broken, it looked like the lens cover would no longer fully cover the lens, it was only extending partway in front of the lens.

Any interesting information about this lens cover? I know the TZ1 had a lens cap, so perhaps its a new design that might have issues....

Thanks!
rak

Those little automatic lens covers have always made me nervous - I've seen so many that don't quite close, or don't open quite all the way.

Even my film-era Canon Ixus Jr APS camera had that problem.

Its one reason I prefer my TZ-1 to TZ-3, the excellent lens CAP! The lens cap on my FZ-4 is terrible: one needs to stick fingers in little recesses on the front. Takes time & attention.

On the TZ-1, the release for the lenscap is by spring tabs on the sides of the cap. You just flip the cap off with the left thumb, while the right thumb turns the camera on & you're good to go. You don't have to take your eyes off the subject.

Of course, my other reason for preferring the TZ-1 is that I happen to prefer the higher focal length zoom, some prefer the wider angle of TZ-3.

Cheers -Erik
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Tizzy, Fizzy4, Cas 500, Too many film cameras to enumerate.

I would think that a display camera gets a lot abuse

puttin writes:

puttin said:

I would think that a display camera gets a lot abuse.

Click to expand...

You got that right ! Probably the equivalent of many years. But that tiny mechanism seems to me to be problem-prone.

Upon reflection, though, I never carried the IXUS Jr in a plastic bag, as I have learned to do, now, with pocket cameras. Keeps out the pocket lint that gets into camers & messes up things like the lens covers.
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Tizzy, Fizzy4, Cas 500, Too many film cameras to enumerate.

Yeah, it's something I was worried about as well since it's the same mechanism responsible for scratching the lens on my Pentax Optio when grit got in there and that sometimes gets caught and needs a little flick to open fully. And I too saw a TZ3 on the store floor whose mechanism was already broken -- along with a slightly loosened mode dial. Yes, the damage is exaggerated from normal use, but it's still interesting to see what cameras do and don't suffer under such trying conditions.

That said, I bought one

Just something to keep an eye on...

Looks to be cheaply made.
I have a real concern for it,already.

My TZ3 is only 3 days old.Works fine,but doesn't look like it will hold up ,as long as the camera itself.

Also,it doesn't cover 100% of the lens.
Seems to not line up acurately.

Keeping my eyes on it.

ANAYV

I can't say about the TZ3 cover. But, I've seen a LOT of messed up lens covers on all makes of cameras. So, I would say, generally, that it's a delicate component.

I never liked those built in "lens shutters."

I once had a Nikon Nuvis camera whose "lens shutter" broke.. and it cost me $120 to fix this on a camera that cost $200 to buy brand new.

So, I actually prefer a separate lens cap.
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Marty
Panasonic FZ20, Panasonic FZ7, Olympus C7000

Especially for a larger diameter lens, just waiting to stick my finger through it. Otherwise I'm quite pleased with the feature set on what is essentially a budget camera. I have little use for high ISO photography so that end doesnt concern me. Only other thing is the weak flash which is essentially useless unless you go high ISO ( and it's very easy to put your finger on top of).