Frustrated with the wait at DVinfo.net

Steve Montoto · March 21st, 2011, 06:36 PM

I have had 2 GH2 cameras ordered directly from Panasonic since mid January and keep getting the same should possibly be here in the next couple weeks. Well its been more than 2 months now and still getting the "next couple weeks story". I was just wondering if anyone else has any information on what kind of time frame we are talking about? I broke down and purchased a Canon 60d yesterday, while I am waiting and deciding if I should cancel my entire order. It blows because I already purchased 4 batteries, 20mm pancake and some lens adapters for my vintage FD and Canon Eos lenses. I am really losing my patience with them.

Jeff Harper · March 21st, 2011, 07:03 PM

This is unfortunate, Steve. There is no easy answer. Wait, or not. In your shoes I would be upset as well.

With the Tsunami, I would be concerned even further, though not too many people know if it will affect things or not, as I have spoken directly with Panasonic repair tech about parts and they did not yet know as of Friday if delivery would be affected by this event.

Sincerest condolences. The other option is you can pay too much on ebay. I know two people who have done that. If you have to buy a kit with a lens you don't like, you can easily sell it.

Chris Harding · March 21st, 2011, 07:55 PM

Hi Steve

My buddy Chip has been ordering plenty of GH1 and GH2's and he just told me that Pansonic will be shipping out all orders on 25th March which is this Friday.

You might not have to wait too long it that's true!!

Chris

Jeff Harper · March 21st, 2011, 08:03 PM

That's huge, Chris, thanks for the information.

Steve Montoto · March 21st, 2011, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the information guys. I do hope that's true, because the wait has been nothing less than excruciating, since I sold one of my HMC150s. I sure wasn't aware I would have to wait so long.

Thanks again.

Douglas Dunklin · March 24th, 2011, 08:26 AM

Chris - good news. Thx! I also sold a camera to pay for a GH2 I ordered. And have been waiting. Hopefully your buddy Chip is in a position to know the real deal and not just rumors. :)

Steve Montoto · March 24th, 2011, 08:33 AM

Douglas,

Just FYI, B&H just sent out Pre-order emails for all the Panasonic GH2 cameras, so that means they know they are coming in soon now I hope. It gives even more weight to Chris's statement.

Good luck to you!

Jeff Harper · March 24th, 2011, 08:52 AM

If you're going to need a second camera anyway, you can buy a spanking new GH1 for $400, an adapter, and find a $100 Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens and have lots of fun, all for under $600. Or you could buy a 20mm f/1.7 lens pancake for $329 and you'd be in business. You'll end up with the 20mm most likely anyway, as it is a favorite of many folks.

I have found the GH1 a great camera, and with the right lens, it's footage is fantastic.

I'm about to order my second GH1 to go with my GH2, and while I would obviously prefer the GH2, the GH1 and it's interchangeable lenses is TONS of fun. I have an 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.2, and a 135mm 2.8, and I'm very happy. I've been taking the GH1 out just as much as the GH2, I just go with the one that has the lens on it that I want.

The faster the lens you use, the less difference you will see in the camera.

Brian Luce · March 24th, 2011, 09:52 AM

They're here. Shops everywhere are showing them in stock. The rumors were apparently true that two big shipments were coming. BH *was* showing them in stock. Not sure about right this moment. I just got tracking numbers on two GH2 bodies. I will be selling one of them, unopened in box since I only need one more, not two more. PM or email me if interested. brian_luce AT hotmail.

Jim Snow · March 24th, 2011, 11:00 AM

If you 'like' Panasonic's Facebook page, they post some great deals from time to time. They have a deal on a GH2 body only right now for $765.

[http://www.facebook.com/#!/Panasonic

Douglas Dunklin · March 24th, 2011, 01:59 PM

@ Steve - great news indeed. Thx!

Norm Rehm · March 24th, 2011, 04:12 PM

Everyone is saying they are now available, but "Where's the Beef?", I mean batteries.

Jeff Harper · March 24th, 2011, 04:16 PM

For the few who have not seen it yet, this thread seems like a great place to revive this:

YouTube - Hitler is mad at Panasonic for GH2 camera availability issues

Steve Montoto · March 24th, 2011, 05:48 PM

That was so funny Jeff. I heard about it but never watched it. Priceless!

Jeff Harper · March 24th, 2011, 07:12 PM

It is soooo funny.

March 21st, 2011, 06:36 PM	#1
Steve Montoto Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 302	Frustrated with the wait I have had 2 GH2 cameras ordered directly from Panasonic since mid January and keep getting the same should possibly be here in the next couple weeks. Well its been more than 2 months now and still getting the "next couple weeks story". I was just wondering if anyone else has any information on what kind of time frame we are talking about? I broke down and purchased a Canon 60d yesterday, while I am waiting and deciding if I should cancel my entire order. It blows because I already purchased 4 batteries, 20mm pancake and some lens adapters for my vintage FD and Canon Eos lenses. I am really losing my patience with them.

March 21st, 2011, 07:03 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	re: Frustrated with the wait This is unfortunate, Steve. There is no easy answer. Wait, or not. In your shoes I would be upset as well. With the Tsunami, I would be concerned even further, though not too many people know if it will affect things or not, as I have spoken directly with Panasonic repair tech about parts and they did not yet know as of Friday if delivery would be affected by this event. Sincerest condolences. The other option is you can pay too much on ebay. I know two people who have done that. If you have to buy a kit with a lens you don't like, you can easily sell it. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 21st, 2011, 07:55 PM	#3
Chris Harding Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 8,441	re: Frustrated with the wait Hi Steve My buddy Chip has been ordering plenty of GH1 and GH2's and he just told me that Pansonic will be shipping out all orders on 25th March which is this Friday. You might not have to wait too long it that's true!! Chris

March 21st, 2011, 08:03 PM	#4
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	re: Frustrated with the wait That's huge, Chris, thanks for the information. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 21st, 2011, 09:22 PM	#5
Steve Montoto Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 302	re: Frustrated with the wait Thanks for the information guys. I do hope that's true, because the wait has been nothing less than excruciating, since I sold one of my HMC150s. I sure wasn't aware I would have to wait so long. Thanks again.

March 24th, 2011, 08:26 AM	#6
Douglas Dunklin New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sharpsburg, GA Posts: 6	Re: Frustrated with the wait Chris - good news. Thx! I also sold a camera to pay for a GH2 I ordered. And have been waiting. Hopefully your buddy Chip is in a position to know the real deal and not just rumors. :)

March 24th, 2011, 08:33 AM	#7
Steve Montoto Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 302	Re: Frustrated with the wait Douglas, Just FYI, B&H just sent out Pre-order emails for all the Panasonic GH2 cameras, so that means they know they are coming in soon now I hope. It gives even more weight to Chris's statement. Good luck to you!

March 24th, 2011, 08:52 AM	#8
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Frustrated with the wait If you're going to need a second camera anyway, you can buy a spanking new GH1 for $400, an adapter, and find a $100 Canon FD 50mm f/1.4 lens and have lots of fun, all for under $600. Or you could buy a 20mm f/1.7 lens pancake for $329 and you'd be in business. You'll end up with the 20mm most likely anyway, as it is a favorite of many folks. I have found the GH1 a great camera, and with the right lens, it's footage is fantastic. I'm about to order my second GH1 to go with my GH2, and while I would obviously prefer the GH2, the GH1 and it's interchangeable lenses is TONS of fun. I have an 50mm 1.4, 85mm 1.2, and a 135mm 2.8, and I'm very happy. I've been taking the GH1 out just as much as the GH2, I just go with the one that has the lens on it that I want. The faster the lens you use, the less difference you will see in the camera. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 24th, 2011, 09:52 AM	#9
Brian Luce Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 2,290	frustration OVER They're here. Shops everywhere are showing them in stock. The rumors were apparently true that two big shipments were coming. BH was showing them in stock. Not sure about right this moment. I just got tracking numbers on two GH2 bodies. I will be selling one of them, unopened in box since I only need one more, not two more. PM or email me if interested. brian_luce AT hotmail.

March 24th, 2011, 11:00 AM	#10
Jim Snow Trustee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,104	Re: Frustrated with the wait If you 'like' Panasonic's Facebook page, they post some great deals from time to time. They have a deal on a GH2 body only right now for $765. [http://www.facebook.com/#!/Panasonic

March 24th, 2011, 01:59 PM	#11
Douglas Dunklin New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sharpsburg, GA Posts: 6	Re: Frustrated with the wait @ Steve - great news indeed. Thx!

March 24th, 2011, 04:12 PM	#12
Norm Rehm Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Keizer, OR Posts: 66	Re: Frustrated with the wait Everyone is saying they are now available, but "Where's the Beef?", I mean batteries.

March 24th, 2011, 04:16 PM	#13
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Frustrated with the wait For the few who have not seen it yet, this thread seems like a great place to revive this: YouTube - Hitler is mad at Panasonic for GH2 camera availability issues __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

March 24th, 2011, 05:48 PM	#14
Steve Montoto Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: USA Posts: 302	Re: Frustrated with the wait That was so funny Jeff. I heard about it but never watched it. Priceless!

March 24th, 2011, 07:12 PM	#15
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Re: Frustrated with the wait It is soooo funny. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."