Panasonic Cameras - Page 6 - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support
Lumix FS-15 "System error (focus)"
I have the same issue with my 3 month old Lumix DMC FS15 plus it won't focus and gives the error message to "turn camera off and then on" This doesn't fix it.
Bottom line fix: Don't buy this camera again and don't recommend other buy it.
Lens cover stuck open
I recently had the lens cover stick partly open. There are 4 segments to the lens cover, and if we number them from the top, number 2 was not closing.
I gently flicked the segments a few times, in case there was a grain of dirt causing it to stick (although the camera has never been in a dirty or dusty environment). This caused the lens cover to close fully each time, but now it would not open fully, segment 1 would not open, although it would stay open if moved by finger.
Anyway, after a bit of fiddling, I got it working properly again. The way that the lens cover appears to work is that only segments 2 and 3 are pushed open or shut by springs, segments 1 and 4 are pushed open and shut by tiny tabs that catch on segments 2 and 3. If the segments somehow get pushed out of alignment, then they either bind (causing the cover not to shut), or they get disconnected (causing the cover not to open fully.
Now I am not sure exactly what I did to get the mechanism form the stuck open state to the not opening state, but from there the way to fix it is to:
-With the lens open...
- Hold segment 2 in the closed position with firm finger pressure (which will tend to push it towards the lens).
- Push segment 1 towards the open position until you can see that it has cleared the edge of segment 2.
- Lift segment 2 way from the lens so that it will rub past segment 1 as you...
- Move segment 1 to the open position.
- Repeat if necessary to get the technique right.
I can't provide any guarantees, and I am not about to repeat the excercise on my camera, but it was a lot easier than sending it off for repair.
My panasonic lumix dmc-ls75 say my pictures will
Go into the camera's menu and find "format"....follow the on-screen instructions to erase the internal memory. Your card should work properly after that. If not, your card may be corrupted. If so, download the pics from it to your computer and then, format the card in the camera to get it to work again.
Taking movies with lumix
Panasonic Lumix cameras have some of the best video recording features on the market. most Notably on the GH2, GH3, GH4, G6 , and the FZ1000.
10/8/2018 11:00:26 AM •
Panasonic...
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Answered
on Oct 08, 2018
Hi I have a Lumix
Sounds like a cracked screen. Examine it carefully with a magnifying glass.
My Panasonic TZ25 says "System Error - Focus". What should I do?
Panasonic DMC TZ25 compact camera - System Error (Focus)
- Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera (suggested by Andrea Lock, above). I actually had to try this several times as camera was refusing to reset properly, but after a few goes, lens retracted and camera began to work again. Thanks Andrea.
If you have a older Lumix that does not want to power on
As you know Panasonic issues Firmware Updates that can be downloaded online, and then installed using a computer and an SD card.
Some of those Firmware Updates made the cameras refuse to turn on if the battery was not an "approved" Panasonic battery.
This significant change was not publicly announced.
Panasonic Lumix batteries are available, but there are also dozens of different generic Lumix batteries available, and there is no reference source as to which generic batteries are "approved."
Therefore I would encourage you if you have a Lumix camera that is balking on startup to first try a genuine Panasonic Lumix battery that is fully charged.
You may find that the only problem was a generic battery that the camera did not care for.
(And of course many "Lumix" batteries sold online are not actually Lumix batteries, but merely counterfeits. They have Lumix markings and are often very good
imitations on visual inspection.)
Another reason some Lumix cameras will not power up is the memory card.
Sometimes people use a newer SDHC type card in an older Lumix, and the camera goes into electronic spasms trying to read the newer card. An older plain vanilla SD card will often solve the problem instantly.
If a Lumix camera is not powering up with a 8gb SDHC card there is a good chance it will power up immediately with a 1gb SD card.
I frequently recommend the Lumix TZ5 to people starting out, as it is a quality build, metal, not toy-like plastic, has more manual controls than most people will ever use, and the engineering is remarkable. I repair TZ cameras and donate them to homeless shelters and domestic abuse safe houses and college photography students and such, as they have full User Manuals available to download, full Service Manuals available for download in PDF format, have a very gentle learning curve, and produce photographs that are superior to many of the current cameras in the 600 to 800 dollar range. Yet a used TZ5 can be bought for 50 dollars or so.
Update the Firmware to v 1.2, never carry it in a leather camera case or pocket or purse or with any cloth of any kind, and you have a superb camera for many years.
Caution about Lumix cameras with Japanese language
Some Panasonic Lumix cameras are made in Japan expressly for Japanese Buyers.
These cameras may be programmed in Japanese and Japanese only.
They cannot in any way be converted to English or any other language.
Most Lumix cameras have a menu option that allows choice of language.
That option is not available in some Japan-originated cameras.
I see Lumix cameras often on eBay that are listed as "From Japan".
Be careful.
I advise you ask the Seller to take photos of the LCD screen of that specific camera being sold with the menu choices showing, to be certain that it is not a Japanese language only camera.
Insist also on a photo of the bottom plate.
Is it in Japanese?
Sellers have told me in the past "You can choose any language easily".
Yes, that is true.
If the Lumix camera was made in Japan for export.
But if it was made in Japan for use in Japan it may not be true.
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