do not drop your fz-20

[Riddick51]

i went to texas for 10 days, to record my sightings of possibly 300+ different species of birds.

dropped my fz-20 on the eve of the 1st day. 24"-30" drop, with the heavy telephoto 610 lens mounted. direct impact landing with camera body driving the 610 tele lens into the concrete. vector of fz-20 lcd + body + 610 centre point smash into concrete perpendicular to the surface of the earth.

result: out of commission for the week.

now i know why you guys buy more than 1 camera.

suggested resolution: make the fz-20, fz-xx series, like the panasonic tough-book (http://www.panasonic.com/business/toughbook/df_magnesium.asp) series with shock resistant devices.

side note: got 180+ species of birds, including: scissor-tailed flycatcher (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Scissor-tailed_Flycatcher.html), green jay (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/programs/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Green_Jay.html), green kingfisher (http://www.worldbirdingcenter.org/bird_info/images/green_kingfisher.jpg). most wanted but not seen: brown jay (http://www.wildbirdphotos.com/images/birds/BRJA2831.jpg).

[mbbin2]

Were you able to repair it??? I crashed mine to the cement while connected to a tripod with a tele attached. I sent it to panasonic and the estimate was almost as much as a new one. I was absolutely lost without it, so I bought another. I trashed the first one since I couldn't find a use for it. I have since purchased a fz30 and the experience makes me very careful with it.

[genece]

I feel for you both but I can not help wondering if mbbin2 replaced that tripod with a good one.

[meillana]

so sorry for both of you as well. mine almost crashed in 2 incidents while it was hooked up to the tripod. was going to switch it upright and actually turned the knob of the quick-release plate. luckily, caught the camera on my foot (football style) on the first while on the 2nd, had the neck strap latched to the tripod (because of the previous instance). am now very careful about that knob nowadays, while still keeping the neck strap latched onto the tripod. and to genece's worries, the tripod's rock sturdy :)

[mbbin2]

genece, have replaced tripod. though in this case, i am not sure that it was totally at fault. a family member, who shall remain nameless contributed to the fiasco. family member did not complain about the added expense of the new camera. Also am now using a lighter tele.

[genece]

AS I said I am sorry about the cameras .....but I would imagine the tripod had a lot to do with it.....I have stacked 2 14Bs on a FZ20 (very heavy) on a tripod with no problem and I have seen people ,in places like Yellowstone, that I am not sure I could lift their lenses they are huge and expensive, and I have not seen any of those fall.

I guess I am just a crusader for people getting a tripod a little better than they think they need.

[StanStan]

I have a Personal Property Floater Policy that covers my camera for DROPPING, lost, and stolen for $24 per year. Of course my camera now will not drop, get lost or stolen.
StanStan

[genece]

Now that seems to be a real bargan Stan ...is that just for 1 camera or does it cover many things?

[StanStan]

Now that seems to be a real bargan Stan ...is that just for 1 camera or does it cover many things?

Gene:
I made a list of all the items that I usually carry in the Lowes aluminum tool case that I bought after your recommendation some time age. Covers the camera, 6 adapter lenses. 2 power supplies AC and DP 9000, all the adapter rings, the tool case and all the little stuff that amounts to $1200 total coverage at replacement cost [with no depreciation or deductible].
Made a photo of all the stuff with item numbers on the photo and the itemized list. If I bump the camera it will be fixed. If I lose it or it is stolen I am covered. Peace of mind is worth the $24/yr

StanStan

[mbbin2]

Please describe the Lowes aluminum case again. Thanks, Mary

[StanStan]

Please describe the Lowes aluminum case again. Thanks, Mary
Hi Mary:
I purchased an 18" aluminum tool case from Lowe's for $24.94 and state sales tax. Lowe's Number 24981 BTW it has a lifetime warranty. Very nice case built for carrying heavy tools with a segmented foam inner filler and includes a inside carrier leaf with all kinds of small pockets for smaller stuff. I like it and I know Genece has two. I also have a waist-pac for the camera only and a larger camera bag with a shoulder strap. Cannot get more bang for the buck with the Lowe's case..
StanStan

[genece]

Like Stan said that case from lowes is an exceptional value I have seen what seems to be the same case at B&H for 100 dollars, just because they say its a camera case.
Next time I get to Lowes I am going to get 2 more....I either have to stop buying cameras or get a new home.
I keep running out of space.

[StanStan]

Gene: I do not worry about the home. I worry about the wife. My wife says my hobby is like throwing money into a black hole.
StanStan

[mbbin2]

Thanks, this sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately I have purchased and given away several bags because I keep getting more stuff. Sounds like the Lowe's case will help. Mary

[Riddick51]

ok, i sent it in for service at the chicago facility.

since panasonic doesn't offer an extended warranty, just tell them that you bought it within 12mths. i gotta pay $100 USD for labor, as it seems that "labor" is not covered. the $25 "drop" insurance stanstan is using is the best thing going.

status: waiting for FZ-40 and 1200mm...all systems go

[genece]

Panasonic does offer an extended insurance but I doubt if it would cover neglect.....And I do not know how you get their extended coverage but I bought the FZ30 from Panasonic USA and I received an offer for extended coverage in the mail.......For what I paid it should have been included in the FZ30 price.

I also think Stans insurance is a good idea but I have so much stuff I would like to have coverage on ...I am not sure I could afford the price.

[lappisstudent]

I've almost experienced one dropping accident myself. I was taking pictures from a small hill not far from where I used to live. The camera was mounted on a light-weight tripod (620 g or 1.4 pounds), and a stronger breath of air tipped the tripod over, but I managed to get hold of it before it was too late.

Still love that tripod though since it's so lightweight. Sometimes I put it in my backpack even when I'm not expecting to take any images at all. But I'm a bit paranoid that it will tip over again, so I'm always mentally prepared to catch it. Might by a sturdier tripod within a year to use when I don't have to care about weight.

I have a three year extra insurance which covers dropping the camera, or getting it stolen, but I think it costed around 1300 SEK, or 170$ (USD). It's worth the peace of mind right now, as I can't justify the expence of a new cam for the moment if anything would happen to it.

[mbbin2]

Genece and Stanstan, I bought the classic tool box yesterday and now have everything (almost everything) snugly packed in it. thanks for posting the idea. I began visiting this site about 2 years ago while researching my fz20 purchase and have found much useful info. THANKS! :)

[rschofield]

Mary, Gene, Stan, (and others),

I'd appreciate a few pictures of your equipment stowed away in your Lowes Tool Cases. I've just gotten back from my local store with one and don't want to start ripping apart the modular foam liner without first getting a sense for what other people have done.

Is it the case that when you create a slot for an add-on lens (for example) that the foam removed leaves no protection on the top and bottom -- only on the sides? If this is the case, did any of you buy a thin sheet of foam for under and over the thick piece that came with the case?

Thanks in advance.


Dick

[mbbin2]

I bought some thin foam from Michaels to place on top and discarded the gadget thing and used a plastic bead box from Michaels for batteries, len cloths, shower caps, etc. I put this box on top of the thin foam. Nothing moves around. This may work for me because it is a female solution. I really like the tool box because everything is so accessible.

[mystro544]

Gene:
If I lose it or it is stolen I am covered. Peace of mind is worth the $24/yr
StanStan

I'm assuming that's part of your homeowners and certainly worth it especially
for travelers.

[StanStan]

I'm assuming that's part of your homeowners and certainly worth it especially
for travelers.
No it is not part of my home owners policy but a separate policy USAA calls a Personal Property Floater. If you worry about dropping your camera or losing it or having it stolen get a PPFP. $24/yr for my $1200 camera equipment. Includes my FZ30 No deductible! Home owner's has a deductible.
StanStan

[Riddick51]

got a letter from panasonic today...$395 USD to replace lens.

[mbbin2]

That was about what the estimate was on mine. So I bought a new one. You can get a fz5 for about or maybe even less than $395. It operates like the fz20 and is much smaller. If you want to go bigger, I love the fz30. I use both of them but for different purposes. Sorry for your loss. Know how it feels.

[bostonwolf]

I got lucky. Mine fell as I was downloading photos (so maybe 2 feet onto a wooden floor.)

The only apparant damage is that it won't download via cable any more, and I think that is because the end piece of the cable pulled out. Since I have a card reader I haven't sprung for another cable yet, but I will soon.