For the DIY crowd: Panasonic DMC-LC1 service manual...

[audidudi]

While searching around a related topic, I found this earlier today:

https://www.completeservicemanuals.c.../prod_170.html

$7.99 in .pdf format and downloaded in less than a minute. I suspect the procedures and majority of the parts are more or less common to the Digilux 2 as well. (FYI, I've started the process of converting my spare LC1 to IR-only operation ... should be interesting. )

[Riley]

thanks Audi, keep us posted on developments please

PS you did see Mark's takedown of a Digilux 2 right ?
must be archived now

[audidudi]

Originally Posted by Riley

thanks Audi, keep us posted on developments please

The LC1 (and presumably, the Digilux 2) is a remarkably easy camera to disassemble, as all you need are two small phillips-head screwdrivers, a pair of pliers, and perhaps an hour of free time. I have had both of mine apart before to tighten the lens mounting screws and it was a piece of cake even for a camera-repair novice such as me. Right now, the plan is to simply remove the hot filter coating from the original filter in front of the lens by polishing it away and use an external IR filter, but once I decide which IR filter I prefer (I'm new at this!), I'll replace the internal filter with a custom made IR filter. Reversing the process and restoring the camera to its original state will require only that I purchase a replacement optical filter from Panasonic's online parts site for ~$60 and I already have one on order, just to be safe.

PS you did see Mark's takedown of a Digilux 2 right ?
must be archived now

Yes, I have, and Yes, it's archived, but many of the photos are no longer available. I've recently been in contact with a person who converted their LC1 to IR several years ago and he says it was the easiest camera he's ever done, as no adjustments to the autofocus or meter were required to compensate for the IR conversion. He says it operates exactly the same way that it did before it was converted and the increase in IR sensitivity is such that it can readily be used handheld. Based upon the results he achieved, as evident from the handful of IR photos he sent me, I'm quite excited about this project, as it will allow me to experiment with something I have wanted to try since the day I bought my first digital camera.

Once I finish the conversion and verify that everything works properly, I'll post back with some photos and instructions for anybody who wants to follow my footsteps.

[dhsimmonds]

Audi

I am interested to know how you get the black covering back onto the mag.alloy body casing as mine is starting to seperate, ie. I can feel "air" under parts of the covering!

[Riley]

choose an appropriate adhesive that can be made/or is quite viscous, and use a syringe to inject between the surfaces of the rubber and chassis

[audidudi]

Originally Posted by dhsimmonds

I am interested to know how you get the black covering back onto the mag.alloy body casing as mine is starting to seperate, ie. I can feel "air" under parts of the covering!

The covering on both of my LC1s is holding up just fine and I've never had any reason to remove it, so I'm not sure exactly what Panasonic used to attach it. However, if it ever does start to peel, I'm fairly certain it can be reattached with any good adhesive suitable for use on rubber, such as contact cement or automotive trim adhesive.