Panasonic FZ-15 Problems

[JMK]

I've had my FZ-15 for about 2 months now and I'm having problems with it turning on; and locking up.

After I use it of about 15-20mins and then turn it off it won't turn on again.

HELP!!!!!! :eek:

I noticed that the battery and the end of the camera where the battery is gets warm when this happens (even when the camera is off).

The way I get it going again is to let is set for a while and it will eventually turn on again. This is VERY ANNOYING.

And just today I took a picture and it locked up while it was on and i couldn't turn it off with the on/off switch.

The battery is fully charged and I'm using a Panasonic SD card and a Panasonic Battery.
I've reset the camera though the menus but that doesn't help.

Any one have any suggestions?????
How is Panasonic Customer Service????

I really really really like this camera it takes beautiful pictures; BUT this is really bugging me. :mad:

[John_Reed]

I've had my FZ-15 for about 2 months now and I'm having problems with it turning on; and locking up.

After I use it of about 15-20mins and then turn it off it won't turn on again.

HELP!!!!!! :eek:

I noticed that the battery and the end of the camera where the battery is gets warm when this happens (even when the camera is off).

The way I get it going again is to let is set for a while and it will eventually turn on again. This is VERY ANNOYING.

And just today I took a picture and it locked up while it was on and i couldn't turn it off with the on/off switch.

The battery is fully charged and I'm using a Panasonic SD card and a Panasonic Battery.
I've reset the camera though the menus but that doesn't help.

Any one have any suggestions?????
How is Panasonic Customer Service????

I really really really like this camera it takes beautiful pictures; BUT this is really bugging me. :mad:I think your problem is one for Panasonic repair. Some people have had good results, some so-so; I think they'll get it fixed for you, but maybe you'll be without the camera for a little while? You could call them and get a time estimate, actually.

[genece]

I would imagine John is correct ..but you do not have another battery to try.
or a battery pack or AC converter.
Batteries can be bad.

[JMK]

Thanks for the advice.
I tried a different battery too but that didn't help.
I called Panasonic today and they said to send it in (the warranty is still good)

So wish me luck :)

[jcon]

I am sure it will take awhile til you get it back but please keep us posted on what happens with Panasonic and how the repair goes!

[JMK]

Hey I received my camera back from repair today!!!!!!!!!!
I'm very happy that it only took a week. :)
I found out that Panasonic out-sources their repairs to
Bigston Digital Service.
So far so good on the fix.
I'll have more time to put it though it's paces this weekend.

[John_Reed]

Hey I received my camera back from repair today!!!!!!!!!!
I'm very happy that it only took a week. :)
I found out that Panasonic out-sources their repairs to
Bigston Digital Service.
So far so good on the fix.
I'll have more time to put it though it's paces this weekend.
In a week from when you made the first post, you already have the repaired camera in hand? Unheard of! WOW! :D

[genece]

Good for you and that is great service.

[jcon]

Thanks for letting us know of the great service you got. I agree with John, that was unbelievable service! Hope it works OK for you now and in the future! Enjoy your camera!

[Desico]

The switch is a simple slide that in time binds and becomes harder and harder to use. It is probably the only thing about the camera that I truly hate. It makes my thumb hurt; I use the camera often typically all day to shoot construction work. It is great for geting the shots but miserable to turn on and off.

[JMK]

OK
this is a reply to and thread i posted in April

Well it's been 4 months and 2 returns to Bigston Digital and my FZ15 is still messed up. :mad: :mad:

If any of you need to send your camera to Panasonic for Repair do yourselves a favor and throw it into a woodchipper. It will be more satisfying and you will get better results. :rolleyes:

[SVT4ME]

Great. That's encouraging. I was going to send my FZ3 in as soon as the receipt arrived from the seller in the mail. :( It worked fine at first but the exposure has gotten all wonky, it takes severely underexposed pictures unless you use a slow shutter speed or compensate the exposure up.

Why exactly would you be so displeased? Is the camera having the same problem over and over again, or different problems? Wondering what to expect myself. I was annoyed to find that the ONLY service center is this place you mentioned in Illinois, I can't believe a company as big as Panasonic doesn't have any more "authorized" repair centers a little closer to the West Coast.

[JMK]

Ya it's the same problem over and over.
The camera works ok for about 5 mins then totally locks up (can't even turn it off with the on off switch). I eject the battery to turn it off then it won't turn on. It turns into a $400 dollar piece of plastic. Not very happy right now about it. The first time I sent it in they said it was the on/off switch. The second time they replaced the main circuit board. I'm calling Panasonic and Bigston tommorrow. I want a new camera this one is an obvious lemon. :mad:

If you call Bigston and get the answering machine that asks you to enter an extension # use 305, 310, or 312 to get to a human and make sure you get the work order #. GOOD LUCK :D

[meillana]

well now that's a good ending! hope it doesn't recur. (x-fingers!)
good luck to you.

[SVT4ME]

If you call Bigston and get the answering machine that asks you to enter an extension # use 305, 310, or 312 to get to a human and make sure you get the work order #. GOOD LUCK :D

Okay, thanks! At this point I just need the seller to get that receipt in the mail. I hope they can fix both yours and mine (or at least replace them) because aside from the "issues" I think they are great cameras.

[JMK]

I talked to Bigston and they wanted me to send it back to them AGAIN.
Not wanting to play that game again I called Panasonic. They said they would replace my camera. So I'm waiting for the return tag to come in the mail. My faith is slowing being restored :)

Hopefully I'll have better luck with this one.

I'll keep you all posted on what happens next.

[StanStan]

The switch is a simple slide that in time binds and becomes harder and harder to use. It is probably the only thing about the camera that I truly hate. It makes my thumb hurt; I use the camera often typically all day to shoot construction work. It is great for geting the shots but miserable to turn on and off.

Sounds like you may have some dirt/sand in the on/off switch. Use a vacuum and put switch in different positions to find out if the dirt can be removed. Do NOT use pressure.
Don't push the dirt into the camera!

I used some Teflon lubricant on the switch to make it easier to move. I sprayed the Teflon on the table and used a tooth pick to apply the the lubricant to the switch. Use very very little. Do not spray the camera itself!

Stan

[JMK]

I just got back a brand new camera from Panasonic today !!!!!!!!!
AND
Since they don't make the FZ15 anymore they sent me a Brand New FZ30 !!!!!!! :D

I'll post pictures when I get it all figured out.

[genece]

You lucky dog ...what a deal I just spent 670 dollars for the FZ30.