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 series with shock resistant devices.

side note: got 180+ species of birds, including: scissor-tailed flycatcher, green jay, green kingfisher. most wanted but not seen: brown jay.

[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