Filter wheel HDX900

[Ken Zukin]

I recently purchased HPX2000, which doesn’t have a “split” filter wheel….meaning there is essentially no way of “rolling-in” ND to control the iris. Not a big problem when using the 5600K filters — but a giant problem when shooting in 3200K.

Question: would it be possible to retrofit a split-filter-wheel set up into this camera body?

From an operating perspective, it’s really annoying not to have this option. For me it means dragging a matte box around to help open up the iris. I would have gladly spent an extra couple hundred dollars for the more “professional” filter wheel, had it been an option.

Not sure about Panasonic’s thinking here: I suppose they think this camera is designed for news shooters who are too clueless to appreciate a split-wheel design?

The split wheel design also incorporates a fluorescent (4300K) default — I miss that too.

[Chris Cardno]

We’ve replaced the filter wheels on two of our three HDX900s. One jammed between NDs, the other just began to spin uselessly. We had to pay for the first repair (1 month out of warranty…) and the second, on a newer camera, was free.

There was no damage done to the camera to cause the issue, the gear just failed — like someone mentioned above, I did hear that they were replacing the shoddy plastic gear with metal and there was a hint that Panasonic had distributed an internal memo on the problem.

The repair was quick, though, with the New Jersey office getting us the camera back in a few days including shipping.

Chris Cardno
Visual Edge Productions
Bethesda, MD

[Brooks Moore]

Ken,
The european version of the camera the HPX2100 has a split filter wheel. I have wanted to do the same upgrade on my 2000 I think it would be a question of ordering the parts and installing but you might check with Panasonic. Steve Cooperman is the product manager in the US

[Dusty Powers]

Rumors travel fast. I experienced the filter wheel slipping problem on my HDX a year ago. I was told at the time that Panasonic was aware of the problem and that a replacement filter wheel was in the works. I contacted Panasonic in NJ a week later and sent my camera to them. They replaced the filter wheel with the new one for no charge and had the camera back to me within a few days. Problem was solve. And it did not go back to the factory in Japan.

dp

dusty powers
http://www.hdcrew.net

[Robin Probyn]

some confusion Dusty.

Yes the camera doesnt have to go back to the factory in Japan! Iam in Japan thats all.And so Burbank would be a long way from Tokyo.. 🙂

[Jason Tower]

So I totally jinxed myself yesterday by posting about this. Right after posting, we went on a shoot where the ND filter wheel gear totally broke… and of course it was stuck in the full ND position!!! Needless to say, we had one hell of a day shooting interiors!

I’ll be calling Abel today and shipping the camera out for this repair and the yearly service…

Thanks for everyone’s advice!

Jason W. Tower
Fiddler Films

https://www.fiddlerfilms.com

[Jason Tower]

Mark,

If you don’t mind me asking, how much did Abel charge you for the repair? Also, did you send it to New York?

Thanks!

Jason W. Tower
Fiddler Films

https://www.fiddlerfilms.com

[Dusty Powers]

No confusion here Robin. You already stated you were in Japan onin your earlier post. I was attemping to enlighten others of my experience with the filter wheel problem so there would be no confusion on their part. (thinking they would have to send it back to Japan) Just trying to help other owners find an easy solution.

The place I use to service my camera did offer to replace my filter wheel with the same type of wheel, but it would have cost me for the part plus labor. They suggested that I send it back to a Panasonic facility to get the upgraded filter wheel so I wouldn’t have this problem again. As I mentioned ealier, it just cost me shipping.

dp

dusty powers
http://www.hdcrew.net

[Robin Probyn]

Hi Dusty

Ok sorry.. I didnt think anyone had thought they needed to send their camera to Japan,from the previous postings.Just it had to be sent to Panasonic rather than a third party company/agent.

Great name by the way.

[Randy Hale]

My HDX900 ND filter wheel started to slip. Panasonic said we know about this. After asking for help from my sales guy and Panasonic rep,
they sent me to an “officially trained guy”
K&M electonics
2220 Commerce Dr.
Loganville, GA 30052
Attention Mitch
770-554-1201

Even though my camera is just out of warrantee, Panasonic agreed to “help” me with it. I understand they replace the plastic wheel with a metal wheel.
P.S.: we have babied this camera: fashion shoots, not sports. In my opinion, this comes down to bad design on Panasonic’s part. It would normally be a 500$ fix and take about 2 hours of labor. (Plus shipping the camera back and forth).