GH1 strap lugs: Problems?

Sorry for second thread, but hoping new subject line may get more feedback.

Am looking for information on occurence of problems with loose or separating strap lugs on GH1's. Am trying to decide whether I should return my new GH1, just bought and S/N WE0GD... I've been told this indicates July 2010 manufacture. From day 1 lugs are loose enough to rotate either way just a couple of degrees with a slight click.

Anybody have experience indicating whether or not I should expect this to deteriorate farther? For example, when was yours bought, or when manufactured, or what S/N, and have you had good or bad experience re lugs?

Thanks in advance.

Here is my earlier post.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1041&thread=38046096

Phil

Email Panasonic technical support. See what they say. That way you also register your issue well before warranty is out.

Good idea. Will do.
And thanks for responding again.

Chas2 said:

Email Panasonic technical support. See what they say. That way you also register your issue well before warranty is out.

Click to expand...

I would send it in. If you contact them they will tell you that they do not know of any issues with the lugs and to send it in if they come out. Problem is that this will probably occur after your warranty is up. If you can turn the lugs now, then the nut(s) on the inside are not tightened down all the way. You can send it in and wait the few weeks to get it back or take the camera apart yourself and epoxy the nuts in place after tightening them- run a search for the procedures. Even though Panasonic treated the whole lug matter as a non-issue (no recall) , they quickly redesigned the lug assembly.

I had a GH1 -lugs were slightly wiggly, so I just opted to get a Black Rapid strap, which attaches to the bottom tripod mount. I actually prefer it now.

I researched this subject at some length, and heard back from a few people that even the repairs that Panasonic made failed. Sounds like the "do it yourself" option might be the best bet....although you invalidate your warranty if you do that. Tough call.

I'm curious, fsmith, how and when Pana redesigned the lug assembly, as you mention below. Not flaming you here, but wonder how you know that. I'm getting a GH2 and hoping the problem is fixed for that camera, but have not heard definitively.

Good luck with the GH1.

fsmith said:

I would send it in. If you contact them they will tell you that they do not know of any issues with the lugs and to send it in if they come out. Problem is that this will probably occur after your warranty is up. If you can turn the lugs now, then the nut(s) on the inside are not tightened down all the way. You can send it in and wait the few weeks to get it back or take the camera apart yourself and epoxy the nuts in place after tightening them- run a search for the procedures. Even though Panasonic treated the whole lug matter as a non-issue (no recall) , they quickly redesigned the lug assembly.

Click to expand...

In my experience, as someone who has owned a G1, a GH1, and a GH2, if your lugs move at all on the GH1, they will eventually come out.

As I see it, you have several options:

1. Ignore it and hope that by the time the lugs come out, the camera is beyond its economic lifespan.

2. Send it back to who you bought it from and either get a refund or a replacement GH1 (which is what I did). On the other hand, the replacement GH1 will probably have the same problem (mine did).

3. Send it to Panasonic. They may or may not fix the underlying problem but, at least if the lugs ever come out, you will be covered. Keep sending it back to Panasonic less than a year after you sent it in the last time to keep warrantee coverage.

4. Get a different strap like a BlackRapid. This is what I did with my G1 (which also had the same problem)

I still have the G1 and the GH2. The GH1 is long gone.

photoartist2 said:

I'm curious, fsmith, how and when Pana redesigned the lug assembly, as you mention below. Not flaming you here, but wonder how you know that. I'm getting a GH2 and hoping the problem is fixed for that camera, but have not heard definitively.

Click to expand...

There are posted pictures of the old lugs as well as a parts diagram for the new design. I ended up going the epoxy route. The new gh2 uses the new lug design.

Fran

Thanks Fran..very glad to hear the GH2 has "new" lugs. Let's hope they are effective..... Where are the posted pictures?

Thanks!

Cynthia

fsmith said:

photoartist2 said:

I'm curious, fsmith, how and when Pana redesigned the lug assembly, as you mention below. Not flaming you here, but wonder how you know that. I'm getting a GH2 and hoping the problem is fixed for that camera, but have not heard definitively.

Click to expand...

There are posted pictures of the old lugs as well as a parts diagram for the new design. I ended up going the epoxy route. The new gh2 uses the new lug design.

Fran

Click to expand...

Thanks to all for info and suggestions on lugs. Especially glad to hear of the do-it-yourself option. Was able to find Phil (Matix)'s excellent photos and instructions for that. Am thinking I may delay any action. Sounds like Panasonic can't be trusted to fix this issue properly and, though do-it-yourself voids warranty, it may not be needed until warranty is expired or nearly so. Hope I am not just rationalizing inaction.

Did not Panasonic fix the issue with the lugs on the GH-1?

I am looking at ordering a GH-1 body and I would like to know if this has been corrected. Also if is was fixed is the a way of knowing above on serial no. sequence or date of manufacture? Thanks.

--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21702997@N03/

As I have already posted in the former thread, I purchased my second hand Panasonic Lumix DM-GH1 with 14-140mm lens ( s.n. WE0GD001137-production July 2010) end september 2010. I verified the strap lugs on the spot, and they both featured a free rotation of about 13° - 22mm movement at 100mm radius. I didn´t percieve any clearance in the axial direction (perpendicular to the body surface). I tested the reliability of the lugs junction, an axial clearance didn´t appear. It made me believe that nuts or screws were secured against unscrewing from the lugs. After 5 months the state of things on my camera remained unchanged.

This week, I posted my findings to Panasonic customer service center in Germany and within 3 days they confirmed that my camera was of the new lugs design (tightened with screws):

"Based on the serial number we can assure you that the modified version is
installed on your device."

I am sure that rotational clearance, if appeared, is not announcing failure if it is not followed by increasing axial clearance (perpendicular to the body surface). So my suggestion is to pay full attention to the latter symptom, checking it from time to time.

atomaz

a drop of crazy glue also will work.

fsmith said:

photoartist2 wrote:

There are posted pictures of the old lugs as well as a parts diagram for the new design. I ended up going the epoxy route. The new gh2 uses the new lug design.

Fran

Click to expand...

DO NOT let this go!!! And DO NOT count on not using the lugs (ie tripod mount) to protect you!!

I had a GH-1 for one year + one week when a lug fell off. The loose nut shorted something inside the camera and destroyed it. Quote from Pana to repair was $1332.39. After maybe 20 phone calls and several detailed emails, I finally convinced them to cover it under warranty so I came out OK. But you really don't want this adventure!

When the lug fell off, I was not using the lugs either, but a wrist strap to the tripod mount. Hadn't had a strap tied to the lugs for at least six months prior.

I haven't learned much tho; now have a GH-2 \" .

I would not count on this at all. I would strongly recommend opening the camera and retorque the nuts with a good thread locking compound. (Permatex makes such compounds; available at auto supply stores... much cheaper than a camera.)

I don't intend to use the lugs on my new GH-2 at all. Even so, I will monitor them. If I find any hint of looseness, I will immediately follow my own advice above.