steve_camber

Update..

 

I wanted my camera working again as soon as possible so I got hold of a replacement LCD (about ?80 as described earlier) and installed it myself. I took some photos of the process in case it helped anyone here.

 

http://www.camber.demon.co.uk/FX9

 

Over a year later after replacing the screen, and my FX9 is still working perfectly. I take great care in avoiding temperature extremes as I believe this to be the cause of the first LCD failing. The camera has survived in my pocket ok, taking any occassional knocks and bumps without breaking.

 

I happened to notice this on ebay today : Item number 280122721567. An FX9 replacement LCD for ?30. The auction will be over by the time you read this, but it's worth checking ebay if you want an LCD.

 

Good luck everyone,

Steve

That's great news Neil, I will probably follow your example and fix my camera myself, as Panasonic UK are ignoring me.

I believe the LX1 has the same LCD as the FX9. I've not seen any case of a broken LX1 screen though, so maybe the problem doesnt exist. Keep us posted.. and maybe just for fun, put the camera in your pocket, then take it outside on a cold day, then back into your pocket. ;o)

Having a viewfinder would not be all that much of a benefit in the case of having a broken LCD. I have no problem in aiming the camera, it's being unable to modify the settings which is the main drawback.

 

I am still looking for a European supplier of a replacement LCD, but have had to luck so far. I could order from the Panasonic US website, but I don't think they deliver internationally. Getting a US friend to forward me an LCD is an option, although there must be a simpler way. I'd probably have trouble at customs anyway, knowing my luck so far!

 

By the way, the part number for 2.5" screen as used in the DMC-FX9 and DMC-LX1 is VYK1Q32SVKIT.

For the 2.0" screen as used in the DMC-FX8 the part number is VYK1N95SVKIT.

 

Any help would be appreciated in locating a source for this part in Europe :o)

After trawling the net (yet again) I get the feeling that our problem is not limited to the Lumix range.

This website seems to be down : www.stevesforums.com

But it's cached in google :o)

http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:BfRhVIeanPAJ:www.stevesforums.com/forums/view_topic.php%3Fid%3D44980%26forum_id%3D15+sd300+cracked+lcd

It lists a similar unexplained LCD failure in the Canon SD300.

 

I am currently considering repairing my camera myself, if I can get hold of a new LCD.

After having a look around, I found this:

http://www.pasc.panasonic.com/Epartr/PartsListChoice.asp

You can order parts direct from Panasonic (US). If they deliver to the UK, I may go for it.. Just hoping I order the right part! LCDs are around $120. (Part # VYK1Q32SVKIT)

Just took another pic of mine. Hard to take a good picture without my cool new camera though!<div></div>

I still can't face paying the large sum to get my camera repaired, it just seems so unfair.

I keep wondering just how the screen broke. I'm guessing the LCD must be already under some tension while it's held inside the camera body which could leave it vulnerable to any form of strain.

As I'm very sure my camera didn't receive an impact, I'm wondering if it was a sudden change in temperature which was the cause. I had been using mine indoors, then I took it outside in the cold for a few minutes to take some pictures. It was when I returned indoors that I noticed the screen had failed.

It sounds like the black smudge is in the same position as on my camera.. coincidence?

 

Check the picture I took of my screen:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/big-image?bboard_upload_id=27237484

 

Maybe a duff batch? My serial is EN5IB03762R (I think!)

My FX9 has exactly that problem. Visible cracks on the LCD, and a black smudge.

 

It had served me well for weeks, but developed the defect without being dropped or having any impact to my knowledge.

 

Now I'm faced with a �150 repair bill, or maybe the dubious chance of a claim on the household insurance (where I have a �100 excess anyway, duh).

 

I can't help feeling that the camera had a "latent fault", so it's some comfort to see that I am not alone here!<div></div>