Panasonic and their non included full printed manual

KiminWNC · Dec 29, 2010

I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with Panasonic. I was transfered 3x. I told each of them I wanted a printed advanced manual for the fz100 I just bought - not the thin start up/basic guide it comes with.

I ended up in tech support on the last transfer. That guy tried to tell me they were going green. The GH1 had a full printed manual. If I print out 240 pages on reg 8.5 x 11 paper it's going to be a whole lot less green than if they supplied one - much less a real manual would last longer than paper AND fit in the camera bag.

After talking to 3 people I was told parts was closed and to call 1-800-833-9626 tomorrow which is the same darn number I called today.

Not happy. If they really want to go green they'd not include it but would have an EASY way to request it so you don't print out 240 pages yourself.

Wasteful and cheap seems more accurate than 'green'. Sony, Canon and Nikon had several manuals in different languages - now is that one extreme to the other or what?!

while I'm ranting I wish it had a auto lens cover too instead of the cap.

palincss · Dec 29, 2010

I agree about the manual. Same thing with the LX5.

Can't agree about the lens cap, though - in fact, I simply don't understand all the angst on the forums about the LX3 and LX5 lens caps. Take it off, put it on - what is the big deal? I did it for over 40 years with my film SLR.

photoKinetic · Dec 29, 2010

While I can understand you manual frustration, it has been common knowlege for quite sometime that Panasonic not longer furnishes a full Advanced manual.

Maybe you should have done a bit more research to have become aware of this instead of as you say "ranting" about it and the lens cap ... which again has been a design that Panasonic has used for years ....

It's not like Panasonic has been hiding this info ... and they do provide advanced info on a CD.

It might have been in your best interest if you had bought a different brand of camera that provided you those things that you are so sorely upset about.

Panasonic is what it is and lets hope they continue to produce fine cameras that so many forum members seem to hold in high regard.

jdeg · Dec 29, 2010

I would've liked a paper advanced manual also. Did you get one on disk? "Going green" doesn't even make sense, paper is a renewable resource, like most companies they are trying to "save green". I hope to know the fz100 to the point where I don't need any manuals in a few months.

jotor · Dec 29, 2010

jdeg said:
"Going green" doesn't even make sense, paper is a renewable resource.

You might want to consider the energy used to manufacture paper as well as the other resources that are used up.

It's no longer the same world I grew up in. I've learned to load the users manuals on my smart phone--easy to find, compact, and I can even read it in the dark if I want too. :^)

Joe

--

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'Learn everything, forget everything and play'
Jimi Hendrix

KiminWNC · Dec 29, 2010

actually like I stated the gh1 I got in November had one so I don't think it is common knowledge that they don't include one.

I won't pick a camera based on if a manual is included. That be like buying a car if the floor mats where included.

Just the "going green" comment bugged me and not being able to order one kinda topped it off after being transfered over and over. Guess I'll waste 240 pages and print it.

Lng0004 · Dec 29, 2010

Or print 2 pages/side and double-sided to save paper.

jazzbass62 · Dec 29, 2010

KiminWNC: Just read what you need to understand from the CD PDF detailed manual... It's not like the menus are going to be difficult to use...
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Cleve

B1ackhat · Dec 29, 2010

Don't you people ever get tired of posting the same threads about manuals over and over and over? It gets tiresome hearing this from all the old guys month after month.

Allan Brown · Dec 30, 2010

KiminWNC said:
I just spent 20 minutes on the phone with Panasonic. I was transfered 3x. I told each of them I wanted a printed advanced manual for the fz100 I just bought - not the thin start up/basic guide it comes with.

What do you want a printed manual for?

Is the camera SO complicated that you need it?

Come on, learn to use the camera - it is not difficult.

I have several cameras from different manufactures - Pentax, Nikon, Canon, Panasonic. After spending a few minutes with a camera, I have no need for a printed manual. I hardly ever look at the PDF version either.

Allan

Jake Myers · Dec 30, 2010

Some purchasers want a printed manual and that's fine. The camera manufacturers should at least make a printed manual avaiable as an option at a reasonable upcharge. So far as going green goes, the only green that they're interested in is the green of $$$

Vandyu · Dec 30, 2010

I certainly see your point. I also see the value in saving trees. It is a no-win situation in some regards. Companies are all looking for ways to save money. It is better for them to market the idea of "we're going green" than to say "we're saving money, but it won't be passed on to the consumer."

Banks and credit card companies are working hard to get their clients to sign up for e-billing. That saves paper and postage. Doesn't help to keep the USPS operating, though.

Many companies are offering CD versions of manuals, which are less convenient to use. Can that data be transferred to a memory card for use in an iPod or smart phone? Still, not a great solution. I, also, like paper. It's a renewable resource. And, you can write your own notes on it.
--
If Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life, How Will You Spend It?

Prstl2 · Dec 30, 2010

Have a look at this small 44 page manual, just the basics, but way less paper to print.

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCFZ100.PDF

Regards,

Paul

giz_tian · Dec 30, 2010

I am glad that Pana does not supply printed manual any more. With PDF, I can search and zoom. If someone really wants full printed manual, he can print his own copy. I do not want Pana supplies something I do not need and passes the cost to me.

Ken Fouche · Dec 30, 2010

I trasferred the PDF manual to my iPod Touch, and it is always handy.

windowwasher · Dec 30, 2010

On the manual thing:

-If the 240 page manual was readily available online that would be good. It is not online now I have to make my own online arrangements or lug the media around.

-Who has an ITouch? not me....and those things suck for PDFs

-If they sold the little manual dirt cheap and made it available then the OP would have been OK with it.

-that 'going green' thing is a bit of BS since/ cop out. In Canada at least, paper comes from trees that are designated for that purpose.....trees are a controlled crop.

Panasonic could have handled the removal of the large manual from the package better....OP is not griping unreasonably.

palincss · Dec 30, 2010

windowwasher said:
On the manual thing:

-If the 240 page manual was readily available online that would be good.

http://tda.panasonic-europe-service.com/docs/2z4cecd899z3z2f5d0z656ez706466z22z379baf92bee56b3d23eb9837190d8c8846214ae6/tsn2/data/ALL/DMCLX5EG/OI/844078/vqt2y65.pdf

giz_tian · Dec 30, 2010

windowwasher said:
On the manual thing:

-If the 240 page manual was readily available online that would be good. It is not online now I have to make my own online arrangements or lug the media around.

I think it is always available here,

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/model.DMC-FZ100K

JeffLeites · Dec 30, 2010

I took the .pdf file for the ZS5/6/7 to a local copy shop. It was already 2 pages per side. I had it printed on both sides, so the 180 pages printed on 45 sheets. I think I was charged $4.50. The mistake I made was putting them in a regular folder, instead of somehow binding the pages lengthwise. The result is I have to keep flipping the binder around.

I use both the, .pdf file for quickly finding something, and the printed version, for just reading through, and finding new features.

As far as going green goes, they don't tear down old growth forests, and exotic wood trees for manuals. Trees are grown as crops for general purpose lumber and paper.

Prstl2 · Dec 30, 2010

Had you taken the time to look for it online you would have found it!

Here is the link for the 240 page advanced manual:

http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/DMCFZ100-ADV.PDF

windowwasher said:
On the manual thing:

-If the 240 page manual was readily available online that would be good. It is not online now I have to make my own online arrangements or lug the media around.

-Who has an ITouch? not me....and those things suck for PDFs

-If they sold the little manual dirt cheap and made it available then the OP would have been OK with it.

-that 'going green' thing is a bit of BS since/ cop out. In Canada at least, paper comes from trees that are designated for that purpose.....trees are a controlled crop.

Panasonic could have handled the removal of the large manual from the package better....OP is not griping unreasonably.

Panasonic and their non included full printed manual

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