Panasonic 100-400 mm lens (Page 2): No way of knowing. It looked the same returned as before. She had an Olympus camera to attach it to. I had not used that lens much since my surgery...

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

bsprague wrote:

Do you think the person you sold it to damaged it?

No way of knowing. It looked the same returned as before. She had an Olympus camera to attach it to. I had not used that lens much since my surgery in the fall.

Prithvi Loc: South Carolina

I bought my lens last year and immediately was able to get the extended 3 yr warranty free from Panasonic.
I also have some dust inside the lens and plan on sending it for cleaning. I have not had any issues with focusing however.
Sorry to hear about your problems. I hope you hear back from the corporate office.
Will follow to see if they respond positively

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Prithvi wrote:

I bought my lens last year and immediately was able to get the extended 3 yr warranty free from Panasonic.
I also have some dust inside the lens and plan on sending it for cleaning. I have not had any issues with focusing however.
Sorry to hear about your problems. I hope you hear back from the corporate office.
Will follow to see if they respond positively

Thanks- my lens was one of the earlier lens- perhaps they made some (unannounced) improvements when you got yours. I liked my lens a lot when it worked :)
Unfortunately I could have gotten the extended warranty but I would have had to act quickly which included cutting the label off the box. I didn't do that because I wasn't sure I would keep it and it would not have been returnable then. Now of course I regret that decision- hindsight and all.

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

The lens fell off of the camera? but you caught it? and it got so dusty that the autofocus wouldn't work? The panaleica was going to be my next purchase, yet I wonder if the poor thing was, lets not say abused, but shown somewhat less than reasonable affection?

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Well not exactly- while hiking on 2 occasions the lens detached from the camera while the camera was hanging from the camera strap over my shoulder. I was able to catch it on both occasions. It was reattached and that was that. Theses episodes were months apart and I had the lens and camera checked out at a local camera store. It didn't become dusty from that- it wasn't detached more than seconds. It became dusty from use in the wind- Oregon and Az- what can I say. However it is advertised as weather sealed and the seals are no longer sealing for whatever reason. If you want a lens that you use only in pristine conditions then it may not be a problem.

Flickwet wrote:

The lens fell off of the camera? but you caught it? and it got so dusty that the autofocus wouldn't work? The panaleica was going to be my next purchase, yet I wonder if the poor thing was, lets not say abused, but shown somewhat less than reasonable affection?

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

I went with the four thirds and micro four thirds for what I perceive is the reasonable ruggedness of the system, so I find your experience distressing to say the least

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Flickwet wrote:

I went with the four thirds and micro four thirds for what I perceive is the reasonable ruggedness of the system, so I find your experience distressing to say the least

Distressing to me as well to say the least.

Lagoonguy Loc: New Smyrna Beach, FL

Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope you get some relief from Panasonic on the repair or replacement of your lense. I have been considering acquiring either the Olympus or Panasonic systems and really liked the new G9 for travel and their weather sealing but your experience has presented a big warning signal to me. Your photos with the 100-400 are just excellent and I really wanted to go with Panasonic but until you get a better response from Panasonic I will not be buying their equipment. Once again, I am very sorry for your poor experience with Panasonic.

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

I will say that my experience with Oly em-1 e-620, em-5 and ep-1 has been hassle free! I acquired the pans Leica 14-50, oly 12-60 f2.8, 50-200f2.8, and the usual kit lenses. Never have I had a problem. I don’t abuse my gear, but it does certainly get used.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Lagoonguy wrote:

Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope y... (show quote)

Thank you. I would say if you buy Panasonic then make sure you also get an extended warranty- actually that would be the thing to do with any expensive gear these days. I did not do that. As a FYI- I have the Panasonic Gx8 camera that is still going strong- I think- and it does the best video in the simplest way possible. I plan to hang on to the camera for its video excellence.

My experience doesn't seem to be a trend- and I don't expect that anyone will pay much attention but I do plan to get the word out. I have owned all brands of cameras and lenses and this is the first problem of this magnitude that I have experienced.

I got the lens back from Texas today. Now to figure out what to do with it. My husband suggested that maybe only the auto focus is affected and the lens would perform ok in manual. So I will go there next.

I will report back on my correspondence with Panasonic and the final outcome.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Glad you have had only positive experiences :)

Flickwet wrote:

I will say that my experience with Oly em-1 e-620, em-5 and ep-1 has been hassle free! I acquired the pans Leica 14-50, oly 12-60 f2.8, 50-200f2.8, and the usual kit lenses. Never have I had a problem. I don’t abuse my gear, but it does certainly get used.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I wanted to let everyone that has participated know that I have not heard from anyone from Panasonic about my issue and I really don't expect I will. I put the lens on Ebay as a salvage lens and I got my asking price of 470.00. I fully disclosed the problem(s) with the lens. I was surprised that it sold so quickly. It's not much but better than nothing at all. It will be just my luck if Panasonic gets in touch in the future and says send us the lens and we will send you a new one- LOL. Thanks for all your support. Lesson learned is get the extended warrantees in the future. I am selling off all my Panasonic equipment. The Gx8 camera with extras is on eBay and 2 lenses are here on the forum- however as usual, I can't see the posting under buy and sell by members- another subject for another day. Thanks again.

Flickwet Loc: NEOhio

suntouched wrote:

I wanted to let everyone that has participated kno... (show quote)

I’m sorry, that sucks, good luck

Prithvi Loc: South Carolina

Sorry to hear that