My dead Panasonic Lumix FT1
When I first picked up the paddle early in 2009 I decided to record the journey via photos on some sort of website. I needed a waterproof camera and after doing some research, bought myself the new Panasonic Lumix FT1 the day it came out. The website launched a week later – it was the birth of FatPaddler.com. Since then the camera has seen over 1000 km of Sydney waterways. It’s taken over 20,000 photos and well over 100 hours of video footage. It’s been from Australia to Alaska and back via California and Chicago. It has been underwater with stingrays, seen my first rolling sessions, and travelled with me on two Hawkesbury Canoe Classics.
Last weekend after a rolling session it finally gave up the ghost and died. When it refused to turn on I noticed water sitting behind the lens. Continued weekly immersion in salt water had finally corroded its way into the camera’s core. I was able to extract its final moments of video and photography from the memory card, but the Lumix itself was done for.
To honour my old friend, I’ve put together a brief collage from its library of images. Goodbye my old friend! Cheers – FP
It's first waterborne photo. Dawn on Middle Harbour.
First visit to the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Incredible dawns on the Berowra Gorge
Middle Harbour locals
Misty mornings on Bantry Bay
A trip to the other side of the world - glacier fields of Alaska
Hanging out of a moving train for an amazing sunset near Anchorage Alaska
Summer paddles on crystal clear Sydney waters
Early morning Blast paddlers at Balmoral Beach
Team Fat Paddler training for the Lifestart Kayak for Kids
Early morning paddles by Sydney's Heads
A few post-paddle parties as well - haha!
Underwater with the stingrays during our many night paddles
Two Hawkesbury Canoe Classics
Last Photo Ever - Clear waters on Middle Harbour. Then I rolled in them!
So sorry to hear it, but look at it as a reason to get the newer FT2. I have one and love it. The main difference is slightly better resolution, and a lot better waterproofing. I’ve tested the 10 meters doing freediving and not had any problems.
By the way, that is one big pizza!
It WAS a big pizza!
She certainly took some beautiful photos!
Cheers,
Chris
Sweet good-by
FP, the new FT-2 has the same problems as the FT-1: corrosion.
It appears that if you get to rinse the camera in fresh water before the immersion in the sea dries up the problem is not as rampant.
My FT-2 looked rather shabby after a 2 week trip where I couldn’t wash it in fresh water.
From new, it went visibly corroded in couple of days!
Maybe Panasonic will bring out a wide angle lens one (FT-3?) in a composite body (like the FT-10) this February…