Help Please! Dropped GX9 & Now Won't Turn On!

It would make a huge difference in my case to have had the camera in the Domke case.

It landed on an edge, and the fall resulted in decelerating in about 0.1 mm.

Dropping in case, if it landed 'worst case,' would decelerate in about 1/2 to 1 cm, best case much more flexing of the case. That results in dramatically lower max G force, possibly by factor of 5x or more for chair to table height drops.

If the drop is high enough, it's not going to matter, but in my case this was about 20-25 inches onto pavement.

Does anybody here have experience with Royal Cameras repair service? Through 31 October, they are waiving their $40 fee for estimate.

Panny charges $50, but if you go ahead with the repair, that $50 is applied towards the repair cost, so in effect, no charge for estimate unless you turn them down.


I'm less concerned about plus or minus fifty bucks versus repair that makes it as good as new. Royal does warrant their repair for 90 days. Don't recall about Panny at the moment...

-- Ben

ChrisFB said:

I read you tried different batteries, but it looked like you charged them in an external charger?

Did you already connect a USB cable to the camera (with a battery in it) and does it give the red charging light? And what if you switch it on then?

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The good news, the red indicator light comes on when plugged in with cable/charger.

Bad news, still does not power on.

Thanks.

UPDATE

Good news!

I sent GX9 to the Panasonic service center in Florida.

It was received on 10/26.

This morning 10/31, received email that it was being shipped back to me all fixed and up to specs!. Should receive it this Friday or Monday.

Pretty quick turnaround!

Also, pleasantly surprised that they did not request any payment from me before shipping GX9 back to me, as I bought GX9 used. So, only out cost of shipping camera to them.

This is excellent customer service!

Nice!

Thanks again for everyone's help and to those that encouraged me to contact Panasonic about fixing camera.

Mark

WOW !!! That's fantastic!!! Did the email specify what repairs were made? If you could let us know anymore details that would be great!

Promeneur said:

WOW !!! That's fantastic!!! Did the email specify what repairs were made? If you could let us know anymore details that would be great!

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Thanks....


Unfortunately, the emails I received from Panasonic are very, very short....usually one sentence....like the following:

1, Your camera was received.

2. Your camera is being returned. Tracking number is xxxxxxx.

So, I replied and asked if the second email meant camera was repaired and functioning. They replied pretty quickly that camera was repaired and working according to specs.

Hopefully, they include a page in the package with camera with some info......we shall see.

ArchiMark said:

Promeneur said:

WOW !!! That's fantastic!!! Did the email specify what repairs were made? If you could let us know anymore details that would be great!

Click to expand...

Thanks....

Unfortunately, the emails I received from Panasonic are very, very short....usually one sentence....like the following:

1, Your camera was received.

2. Your camera is being returned. Tracking number is xxxxxxx.

So, I replied and asked if the second email meant camera was repaired and functioning. They replied pretty quickly that camera was repaired and working according to specs.

Hopefully, they include a page in the package with camera with some info......we shall see.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. Seems like the repair did not require new parts, so something got stuck like the IBIS or shutter. Hard to second guess.

Really glad you got such great service. And I'm a recent new owner of a used GX9 and am really delighted with this camera. :-D

Promeneur said:

ArchiMark said:

Promeneur said:

WOW !!! That's fantastic!!! Did the email specify what repairs were made? If you could let us know anymore details that would be great!

Click to expand...

Thanks....

Unfortunately, the emails I received from Panasonic are very, very short....usually one sentence....like the following:

1, Your camera was received.

2. Your camera is being returned. Tracking number is xxxxxxx.

So, I replied and asked if the second email meant camera was repaired and functioning. They replied pretty quickly that camera was repaired and working according to specs.

Hopefully, they include a page in the package with camera with some info......we shall see.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply. Seems like the repair did not require new parts, so something got stuck like the IBIS or shutter. Hard to second guess.

Click to expand...

Maybe they just gave it a good whack and the IBIS / shutter popped back into place?

Promeneur said:

Really glad you got such great service.

Click to expand...

Yes, me too....definitely reinforces my good feelings about Panasonic.

Promeneur said:

And I'm a recent new owner of a used GX9 and am really delighted with this camera. :-D

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Congrats! They are really nice cameras. Enjoy!

Well, I spoke too soon about repair info....

Just got another email from Panasonic, subject "Final Invoice".

Was bit nervous when I saw that subject line, but when I opened the file, there was no charge!

And there was info about the repair work:

Need to replace the main PC board and test to specifications.


The moving part inside is normal the unit is the Image sensor, it does not stay fix until the unit is powered up.

So, seems I got lucky on this repair service....and it's noted as 'In warranty' which is a big surprise to me....but maybe camera is not that old or Panasonic felt sorry for my plight?

Certainly very pleased about how this turned out.

Can't wait to see camera again....

Thanks, that's good to hear. I'll think I'll send mine in too, then. Perhaps yours had something come loose and it was common and easy to reattach that they just did it, owning up to easy to 'break' design.

Or maybe it worked when they got it? I've tried mine a few times, but nada. I've mostly been reluctant to shell out $$ to fix it since I think (hope?) GX9ii will come in a few months. We'll see...

benwood said:

Thanks, that's good to hear. I'll think I'll send mine in too, then. Perhaps yours had something come loose and it was common and easy to reattach that they just did it, owning up to easy to 'break' design.

Or maybe it worked when they got it? I've tried mine a few times, but nada. I've mostly been reluctant to shell out $$ to fix it since I think (hope?) GX9ii will come in a few months. We'll see...

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Yes, very good.....but as I wrote, they said they had to

"Need to replace the main PC board"

So, it did not work when they got it. Need board replacement and then check/set camera to original specifications.

If they consider your camera 'out of warranty', and incur costs, they will let you know what estimated cost will be and get your approval before working on it. Think there's also a $50 inspection fee, if out of warranty. However, I think they will credit that amount towards the repair cost, if there is one.

So, you have to send your camera in to have them check it out and let you know situation.

Thanks, good to know. I just have to muster the time and box and ship it off.

Update for anybody finding this thread...

I sent it to Panasonic, had to front $70 for shipment and out-of-warranty evaluation, and they said it would be another $400 plus. I told them to junk it.

SO... one of my main m4/3 cameras is down, the one I hiked with, so with Panasonic jettisoning (so far) the compact form factor that the sensor size accommodates so nicely, and which I used for fly-away travel and hiking mainly, I think I will start to wind down my love affair with the m4/3. It appears to be a dead end for that use case by both Olympus and Panasonic.

I'll keep my G9 for road trips -- I have great but heavy glass for it, and it hasn't died yet. I would consider a G9ii in a year or two if that camera continues to see much use.

I wasn't super thrilled about my Sony rx100 vii but did use it hiking in the desert a couple weeks ago. Super compact, and for it's size, quite good.

Considering a range finder again and just making that work -- X100vi is on my list plus one other camera. Something better than the tiny Sony, which I could also bring for it's zoom and for my wife to use, but still pretty compact and easy to take to the UK next fall.

The lack of even a rumor about anything from Oly or Panny is the nail in the coffin, imo. Maybe they'll surprise me in the next month, that's about how long I'd wait to commit to something else. Or maybe a week...

benwood said:

Update for anybody finding this thread...

I sent it to Panasonic, had to front $70 for shipment and out-of-warranty evaluation, and they said it would be another $400 plus. I told them to junk it.

SO... one of my main m4/3 cameras is down, the one I hiked with, so with Panasonic jettisoning (so far) the compact form factor that the sensor size accommodates so nicely, and which I used for fly-away travel and hiking mainly, I think I will start to wind down my love affair with the m4/3. It appears to be a dead end for that use case by both Olympus and Panasonic.

Click to expand...

Why not just get a G100? If you can live without the IBIS, the output is absolutely identical to the GX9 and it has a better EVF and grip. AND you can get them rather inexpensively on the used market....

Just a thought....

-J

I do have a G9...

I probably revisit that one, something about it turned me off before and I'll have to rediscover what, if anything.

BTW, I've digested the 'repair estimate' and I would not recommend out of warranty with Panasonic. I think they just verified that it would not turn on and gave me a high estimate. They said it might cost more, or perhaps less. But I feel they are missing some integrity, for two reasons.

1) when I did *not* ask for the camera to be returned, they didn't refund my pre-paid $22 for S&H. I clicked the box 'junk it' and they didn't refund the S&H, which thought lacked integrity.

2) then they sent me an e-mail saying I could have a 'refurbished' for "about $186"....

Um... my camera?? If they said it was my camera, I would have done it, but for a crap shot at who knows what, no thanks. I suspect my camera won't be junked, but fixed on the cheap, and resold in that manner.

All of it is rather off putting to me re: Panasonic.

benwood said:

I do have a G9...

I probably revisit that one, something about it turned me off before and I'll have to rediscover what, if anything.

BTW, I've digested the 'repair estimate' and I would not recommend out of warranty with Panasonic. I think they just verified that it would not turn on and gave me a high estimate. They said it might cost more, or perhaps less. But I feel they are missing some integrity, for two reasons.

1) when I did *not* ask for the camera to be returned, they didn't refund my pre-paid $22 for S&H. I clicked the box 'junk it' and they didn't refund the S&H, which thought lacked integrity.

2) then they sent me an e-mail saying I could have a 'refurbished' for "about $186"....

Um... my camera?? If they said it was my camera, I would have done it, but for a crap shot at who knows what, no thanks. I suspect my camera won't be junked, but fixed on the cheap, and resold in that manner.

All of it is rather off putting to me re: Panasonic.

Click to expand...

For mirrorless, it is probably a mini computer and usually repairing = replacement. Unlike the analog age, we cannot replace a spring or a screw or just dust/oil it.

Even for my desktop computer, I can open up the tower case, replace the power supply unit, the RAM, the Hard Disk, the CPU, the graphic card or other bus cards individually. But if you would open up your phone or your notebook computer, you would find most of the components are integrated or in sealed components.

I added a 7-14 f/4 in 2012. Due to the high cost of this lens I bought it from gray market (my first time). I saved around US$400 (>30%) vs buying from authorized dealer. A few weeks later, accident happened (dropped into a river). Although the lens works again, for safety I sent it for repairing/maintenance (naturally during the film era, service center would open the lens up, dry it, oil it and recalibrate it).

As I couldn't trust the warranty (service) from the shop, I sent it to Panny directly. I was charged a non refundable inspection fee US$350! The G1, was another victim of the accident, bought from authorized dealer, was free for inspection (warranty long expired).

Result: the gear were returned without work because due to corrosion of the electronics, they were econometrically not viable to repair. If I would insist to repair, only the lens barrel would not be replaced!

I finally realized that digital product is more on replacement rather than repairing.

TBH the offering of US$186 is a very good price for a refurbished GX9. While refurnish product means nothing to me, it would deem to be as new to many. I expect it would come with a warranty (3M to 1Yr?) from Panny?

I just bought an used GX9 in mint condition. No warranty nor returnable. US$410 with a free 3rd party hand grip, 3x old 3rd party batteries and a charger (from the older Pannys?).

I had even worse, a far worse experience with another major brand leading me to never use their camera again. :-x

I took another look at the G100 and realize it's the lack of IBIS that was a sticking point, I have been using IBIS in low light for many years, starting with my Sony A700, which I still own but rarely use.

As I said, I do have the G9 and used it for more serious video last Christmas and really liked what I shot of my son's band performance. And I have great lenses for this.

But I have a problem back and would rather travel super light... My next major trip is next September to the UK so will mull this over a while. And I agree, if the refurbished (which in their case means they fixed a broken one) could be a good deal at $186.

I'd rather use that money for a GX9ii, but it doesn't exist and I'm not too hopeful.

Oy vey. Keep your camera in a camera bag, and put the camera (in the bag) in a drawer. It won't fall out of the drawer.

And any decent camera bag would give some padding around the camera.

I realize this advice is too late. Heed it for next time.

benwood said:

I do have a G9...

I probably revisit that one, something about it turned me off before and I'll have to rediscover what, if anything.

BTW, I've digested the 'repair estimate' and I would not recommend out of warranty with Panasonic. I think they just verified that it would not turn on and gave me a high estimate. They said it might cost more, or perhaps less. But I feel they are missing some integrity, for two reasons.

1) when I did *not* ask for the camera to be returned, they didn't refund my pre-paid $22 for S&H. I clicked the box 'junk it' and they didn't refund the S&H, which thought lacked integrity.

Click to expand...

That was for the return shipment? Then yes, that wouldn't sit well with me either.

benwood said:

2) then they sent me an e-mail saying I could have a 'refurbished' for "about $186"....

Click to expand...

benwood said:

Um... my camera?? If they said it was my camera, I would have done it, but for a crap shot at who knows what, no thanks. I suspect my camera won't be junked, but fixed on the cheap, and resold in that manner.

All of it is rather off putting to me re: Panasonic.

Click to expand...

I get that you're peeved, but the reality is that the cost of that repair sounds reasonable. The main PCB for the GX9 costs around $120, and the time of the repair tech will easily match and rise above that price (about 2 hours to disassemble and clean the camera, another hour to reassemble and then some more time to configure and test it). A tech's time isn't cheap, they're often the single most expensive factor in electronics repair.

I think the refurbished price is great, if you liked the camera I'd definitely suggest jumping on it. Even if it's refurbished Panasonic must stand by the product and offer some warranty for it.

OM-5? E-M10iv? Quite small, 20MP, full featured, OM is weathersealed.

Still a few petite fish in the sea.

Cheers,

Rick

Um, duh.

My first camera failure occurred when I took a photo and went to put the camera on the counter and the camera strap caught a door knob and it yanked out of my hand. Calls to mind those who just use wrist straps instead of neck straps.