My 70-200 f4 "Pro" has died

[pdk42]

As I mentioned in the thread on the Sigma 20-200, my Lumix 70-200 f4 Pro has died. I'm more than a little pissed off. This lens has hardly been used by me, with its last usage being probably several months ago. It spends most of its time in a darkened, dry cupboard and is babied when it is used. There's not a mark on it and even the contacts have almost no wear. But it's dead - it fails to power up when connected to the camera - the OIS is dead, the AF doesn't work, MF via the clutch doesn't work, and the camera thinks a manual lens is attached. So, I've now got an expensive paperweight on my hands.

I don't think Panasonic offer a repair service so I guess it'll be off to landfill. I'm really furious - so much for "Pro", make in Japan, Certified by Leica etc !

 

[dirk]

Hi Paul.

I am sorry to hear this. Did you do a FW upgrade with your camera recently? Maybe this is the reason?

I would call Panasonic and ask them, whether this could be a FW issue.

I definitely would send it to them, to check the lens and reset the FW on the lens.

 

[Pete_W]

Sorry to hear your lens is broken Paul.

I just Googled and it seems that Panasonic does repair both in warranty and out of warranty cameras and lenses through DKAVS:

Official Authorised Panasonic LUMIX Repair UK

We are the experts at Servicing Panasonic LUMIX Cameras, from S1H to G9. Using only genuine parts our repairs are backed by a 3 month guarantee!

www.dkavs.co.uk

 

[PJD]

As I mentioned in the thread on the Sigma 20-200, my Lumix 70-200 f4 Pro has died. I'm more than a little pissed off. This lens has hardly been used by me, with its last usage being probably several months ago. It spends most of its time in a darkened, dry cupboard and is babied when it is used. There's not a mark on it and even the contacts have almost no wear. But it's dead - it fails to power up when connected to the camera - the OIS is dead, the AF doesn't work, MF via the clutch doesn't work, and the camera thinks a manual lens is attached. So, I've now got an expensive paperweight on my hands.

I don't think Panasonic offer a repair service so I guess it'll be off to landfill. I'm really furious - so much for "Pro", make in Japan, Certified by Leica etc !

Yikes. That's awful. I hope the lens can be repaired for free under warranty, or for a reasonable fee.

A reminder to Panasonic S camera & lens buyers in the U.S.: Panasonic offers a free 3 year warranty for products sold through all their authorized U.S. dealers. I don't know if they offer a similar warranty in other countries.

Register My LUMIX Camera, Lens and Camcorder

Register your LUMIX Camera/Lens and Camcorders for easy access to warranty, service and support. Warranty terms apply to new product, purchased at an Authorized Retailer. If you're having trouble locating the model number and serial number, visual guides are available here. Note: By registering...

shop.panasonic.com

 

[Jayneboo]

As I mentioned in the thread on the Sigma 20-200, my Lumix 70-200 f4 Pro has died. I'm more than a little pissed off. This lens has hardly been used by me, with its last usage being probably several months ago. It spends most of its time in a darkened, dry cupboard and is babied when it is used. There's not a mark on it and even the contacts have almost no wear. But it's dead - it fails to power up when connected to the camera - the OIS is dead, the AF doesn't work, MF via the clutch doesn't work, and the camera thinks a manual lens is attached. So, I've now got an expensive paperweight on my hands.

I don't think Panasonic offer a repair service so I guess it'll be off to landfill. I'm really furious - so much for "Pro", make in Japan, Certified by Leica etc !

https://www.dkavs.co.uk/lumix-lens-repair/

These are best option for Panasonic lens repair in UK Paul. I had cause to use them with a 13 months old Pan 50mm 1.4, which annoyed me at the time as much as I guess your 70-200 is annoying you.. they actually ended up talking to Pansonic for me and got the lens replaced in the end. Also sorted out a 24-105 for me. Can't imagine it can be anything more than a contacts issue from your description - worth sending in for an estimate at least, good luck!

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

Sorry to hear that Paul. It does sound like it may be fairly easy to repair. I hope you do send it in.

But it’s super frustrating. It does seem like the S-Pro lenses suffer a disproportionate amount of failures. My 24-105 is super flaky now and I don’t use it anymore. However, it did see a lot of use and I did buy it used.

 

[pdk42]

Thanks for your sympathy and helpful suggestions! I've sent a mail to DKAVS, so fingers crossed.

 

[CharlesH]

I've used Panasonic lens repair n the past. Things break.

I have used the 70-200 f/4 since it was first introduced in 2019. It will take tele-extenders, I use the 1.4X. If it quit working I would surely get it repaired.

 

[pdk42]

I've used Panasonic lens repair n the past. Things break.

I have used the 70-200 f/4 since it was first introduced in 2019. It will take tele-extenders, I use the 1.4X. If it quit working I would surely get it repaired.

Yes, I'm hoping it's repairable. With luck it'll be something simple like a failed contact or maybe a fried circuit board that can be easily replaced. It's clearly an electronics problem.

 

[Jan.Wedekind]

Really sorry to hear. Bought mine used shortly after I got the S1 about six years ago. About 2y ago I thought it was dead: it was making horrible noises when turning on, as if the motors were grinding through sand. Was about to send it in bought luckily it went away on its own and it’s been fine ever since. Still my absolute favorite zoom. It’s my favorite focal range and the IQ is so so nice. I can pick it out from random photos instantly.

Fingers crossed they can fix it easily!

 

[The Rigger]

Maybe it's jealous of your new 20-200mm lens?

 

[pdk42]

Got the repair estimate back. Basically, all that’s being offered is a replacement lens. £900. Think I’ll be looking elsewhere.

 

[GeorgeHudetz]

That really bites. Sorry, that’s a ton of cash down the drain.

Did they say anything specific? Are they simply not repairing that lens model, as a rule?

 

[pdk42]

That really bites. Sorry, that’s a ton of cash down the drain.

Did they say anything specific? Are they simply not repairing that lens model, as a rule?

All good questions George. I'll be asking them just that, plus a few others!

 

[Pete_W]

Got the repair estimate back. Basically, all that’s being offered is a replacement lens. £900.

Makes me wonder if they actually even inspected it, i.e. just offer a replacement. That's not good.

 

[pdk42]

Makes me wonder if they actually even inspected it, i.e. just offer a replacement. That's not good.

That's my suspicion too. I found a Lensrentals blog showing disassembly of this lens. It looks complex to me, but I'm sure for a proper lens technician, this is just "day job" stuff:

Disassembling the Lumix S Pro R70-200mm f/4 OIS

We've been impressed with most of the lenses that have come out for the L mount cameras but haven't taken many of them apart. But as luck would have it, we have several Panasonic Lumix Pro 70-200mm f/4 OIS lenses needing repairs for autofocus issues. In the U. S., Panasonic doesn't offer repair...

www.lensrentals.com

 

[Greytop]

All good questions George. I'll be asking them just that, plus a few others!

Sorry to hear about your 70-200 Paul, it's a real pain in the backside when something of value simply packs up like that. It might be worth trying A. J. Johnstone in Glasgow, they appear to have a pretty good reputation for repair work, though I've not used them myself.

 

[pdk42]

So I got a reply from DKAVS and I also had a phone conversation with A.j.Johnstone in Glasgow. It seems the situation is this:

- Panasonic do not provide spare parts for their lenses beyond very basic stuff like new mounts. So, any failure is basically unrepairable.

- The offer I have from DKAVS is for a Panasonic replacement unit, which is not necessarily guaranteed to be new, but probably is.

So, the lens is dead. 18 months of ownership and £900 - so that's £50 a month. I hate to think how much per photo.

Not sure what to do now. I'm now really concerned about buying Panasonic lenses given this experience - in fact, I'm done buying Panasonic lenses. One bitten and all that. Lenses at this sort of price shouldn't just break on their own; and it's criminal that there is no other option than junking them just because of spares availability. It's even more crazy since this is still a current production lens.

I think I'll get it shipped back and open it up myself to see what I can do. Nothing to be lost.

In the meantime I'll see if I can survive with the 20-200. If I feel a 70-200 is needed, I'll be looking to Sigma - no more Panasonic lenses.

 

[CharlesH]

- Panasonic do not provide spare parts for their lenses beyond very basic stuff like new mounts. So, any failure is basically unrepairable.

Sad. Did they mention whether Sigma provides more spare parts?

 

[pdk42]

Sad. Did they mention whether Sigma provides more spare parts?

They said it was becoming a trend amongst all manufacturers, but that Panasonic were the worst. Sigma got a good word !