Camera + Sand = :(

lakitu · 17 May 2008 at 23:55

Hi, I recently went to the beach and got sand inside my Lumix DM3 FX33. Every time I turn it on it reluctantly extends its lens and then closes it again. It then asks me to turn the camera off and on again.

I believe this to be because there are a few grains of sand inside the mechanism. I know this because my camera now makes sand noises. I know, I know, I should have used its case. Any ideas on how to solve this problem? Can I send it back if it is under its warranty?

thepharcyde · 18 May 2008 at 00:11

maybe try some compressed air?

lakitu · 18 May 2008 at 00:31

That could work, i will buy a can in town tomorrow.

Dave L · 18 May 2008 at 08:16

Surely air will just dislodge the sand and push it further in?

I think you are going to have to accept defeat and scrap the camera........the cost of repair would *probably* outweigh it's replacement cost.

Jotun · 18 May 2008 at 10:57

Dave L said:
I think you are going to have to accept defeat and scrap the camera....

It's probabaly worth putting on eBay and being honest about it, someone will probabaly buy it to try and repair so you'll get a bit of cash towards a replacement if you are getting another.

collisster · 18 May 2008 at 12:19

if its knackered then you may aswell take it apart and try and get the sand out yourself, lumix's are tough I dropped mine on the lens from about 3 foot and took it apart fiddled and it now works again, bit clunky but still sharp

lakitu · 18 May 2008 at 15:19

It's brand new, can I not use the warranty? Or does it not cover for being a dumb ass?

thepharcyde · 18 May 2008 at 16:13

lakitu said:
It's brand new, can I not use the warranty? Or does it not cover for being a dumb ass?

Send them an email, see what they say. Its applaudable that you are not pleeding ignorance and sending it back despite knowing the issue. I believe in karma and would say that they prob will fix it FOC

If not do you have household insurance which would cover it?