Problem with Panasonic Lumix TZ3 camera downloads/firmware

[x@y.z]

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3 camera from 2007/2008 . But I can't
find the latest firmware or any software whatsoever for it .

I have looked on the web to no avail .

How can I update the firware to more than what came in the box when I
bought it ?

Can anyone help ?

This is very strange and not good support from Panasonic .


Pete

[David J Taylor]

<x@y.z> wrote in message
news:suu2g75bkbi7i76hq...@4ax.com...

What version firmware do you have, Pete? Mine had 1.0.A (1.0.16). What
is updated in later versions I'm unsure, although 1.0.D fixed printing the
date, I read.

A version check is described here:
http://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/download.php?id=344530

Cheers,
David

[Bruce]

As far as I am aware, Panasonic has never needed to release updated
firmware for the TZ3.

You can find an instruction manual for free download by searching on
the web.

[Ray Fischer]

You're right - this is very strange. Panasonic normally puts ample
information on their web sites for their products, but the DMC-TZ3
is completely absent. It may be that the DMC-TZ3 label was limited
and has an equivalent with a different label.

I'd suggest contacting them directly:
http://shop.panasonic.com/panasonic/support/contact-us

--
Ray Fischer | None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free.
rfis...@sonic.net | Goethe

[x@y.z]

UPDATE :

I wrote Panasonic and got this reply today :

Dear Peter,

Thank you for taking the time to contact Panasonic with your enquiry.

For a possible fault with the unit to be diagnosed and repaired, it
will need to be looked at by a Panasonic Service Centre.
Please use the link below to locate your nearest Authorised Service
Centre:
http://www.panasonic.com.......////

A firmware update is not available for TZ3, It had not had any issues
requiring a update.

Kind Regards,
Gavin

MY NOTES:

I think this is still strange because the above poster does mention
that there were some updates or versions of the firmware.

Also , since I am repurchasing accessories which I lost(e.g. the
undrewater casing) I wonder whether it's worth it ?
note : I lost all accessories except the camera itself -- I have not
battery , no recharger .So, I'm geting them all again from Panasonic
direct .

Any advice ?


Peter

[David J Taylor]

<x@y.z> wrote in message
news:gap7g7hojtgh3qf1r...@4ax.com...
> UPDATE :
[]

> Also , since I am repurchasing accessories which I lost(e.g. the
> undrewater casing) I wonder whether it's worth it ?
> note : I lost all accessories except the camera itself -- I have not
> battery , no recharger .So, I'm geting them all again from Panasonic
> direct .
>
> Any advice ?
>
> Peter

As that camera is now quite old, how much would you lose by starting from
scratch with a newer model? Buying a battery and charger from Panasonic
would not be cheap.

David

[x@y.z]

Hi David ,

The T3 cost me about $385 .So , I am doing my sums trying to see if
its worth it . I don't want to write it off . I found a cheap new
underwater casing by Panasonic for the camera and other cheap new
accessories so I can use it as back up .

But the compact I really want is the Sony NEX-7 ( but until Sony fixes
that flooded factory in Bangkok the prices will by too high (see eBay
for example)..

I have a lot of alpha mount lenses from my Minolta days that I plan to
use on the Sony a900(when I get it) and on the NEX-7 using an alpha to
e-mount adapter for my alpha lenses .

But I really like the underwater accessories that the Panasonic
compacts have too .

The way things are going , thanks to Moore's Law , I'll be updating my
cameras every 5 years :)

I wonder if Sony is planning a successor to the A900 ?

Best ,

Peter

[David J Taylor]

<x@y.z> wrote in message
news:1pi8g7humtrrbihek...@4ax.com...

> Hi David ,
>
> The T3 cost me about $385 .So , I am doing my sums trying to see if
> its worth it . I don't want to write it off . I found a cheap new
> underwater casing by Panasonic for the camera and other cheap new
> accessories so I can use it as back up .

Excellent in that role, and as a compact. Newer models may well be
better, but if you've located the bits you need, that's an excellent
start. As the TZ3 was a popular camera, there may be quite few available
second-hand when their owners upgraded. I would try and buy recently
manufactured batteries, though.

> But the compact I really want is the Sony NEX-7 ( but until Sony fixes
> that flooded factory in Bangkok the prices will by too high (see eBay
> for example)..
>
> I have a lot of alpha mount lenses from my Minolta days that I plan to
> use on the Sony a900(when I get it) and on the NEX-7 using an alpha to
> e-mount adapter for my alpha lenses .
>
> But I really like the underwater accessories that the Panasonic
> compacts have too .
>
> The way things are going , thanks to Moore's Law , I'll be updating my
> cameras every 5 years :)

[]
> Best ,
>
> Peter

You're lucky it isn't every two years! I like the idea of the NEX-7, but
I've never held one. Somehow, using older and bigger than necessary
lenses, particularly with an adapter making the package even bigger,
defeats much of the "compact" appeal. Were I going to get something
compact, it would more likely be micro-four-thirds.

Cheers,
David

[J. Clarke]

In article <jds1r8$d20$1...@dont-email.me>, david-
tay...@blueyonder.co.uk.invalid says...

FWIW, the 1.0d firmware (for some version and some market) can be
downloaded from
<http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vSupportDownloadDet
ail?storeId=15001&idval=UCM_STG_CNT_032448> until Panasonic decides to
pull it. And don't ask me how I found that--it doesn't seem to be
accessible from the Panasonic main page.

[x@y.z]

David wrote :

> I would try and buy recently
>manufactured batteries, though.

Is this what you mean or another battery ?



http://is.gd/ibm2YT


Peter

[David J Taylor]

<x@y.z> wrote in message
news:pqbdg7p76gh1hf0lh...@4ax.com...

>
> David wrote :
>
>> I would try and buy recently
>>manufactured batteries, though.
>
>
> Is this what you mean or another battery ?
>
>
>
> http://is.gd/ibm2YT
>
>
> Peter

Peter,

I mean that you should try to find a battery which has been manufactured
recently, and not one which has been sitting in a warehouse for a couple
of years.

Personally, I would buy a lower-priced 3rd party battery, as I consider
the Panasonic over-priced, but from a reputable source - in the UK
perhaps:

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_3&products_id=103522

Cheers,
David

[x@y.z]

Hi David,

Thanks for the link !



Best ,

Peter