Panasonic’s LUMIX Pro Service Is Ending in Europe

Panasonic’s LUMIX Professional Providers will stop to exist in Europe and the UK on the finish of this yr, and, quietly, haven’t been registering new members since final September. The providers consisted of a single-tier, free membership granted to each registered LUMIX S digital camera proprietor. The service promised shorter restore turnaround and loaned gear ought to the restore be longer than the set time. The US service, which consists of two tiers (“RED” and “Platinum”), is not going to be affected and can proceed to function in the intervening time. The perfect digital camera is the one you have got with you, because the outdated saying claims. As professionals, we don’t solely require sturdy, reliable gear, but additionally an ample service envelope. No digital camera lasts perpetually. Given a demanding, day-in, day-out skilled workflow, malfunctioning gear is just not a query of “if”, it’s a query of “when” (and the reply will perpetually be: “the night earlier than the shoot”). Whereas a backup digital camera is at all times a good suggestion, we nonetheless recognize a complete help envelope supplied by the producers.LUMIX Professional Service. Picture credit score: PanasonicLUMIX Professional Service – getting in there with the large boys As Panasonic launched its Full-Body S line, with the LUMIX S1 and S1R, it has additionally launched the LUMIX Professional Providers. Aimed toward skilled filmmakers and photographers, the service promised precedence service for registered LUMIX S digital camera homeowners, in addition to quick restore service and loaner gear in case the repairs took longer. This transfer aimed to assist place Panasonic and the LUMIX line as a completely skilled various to the established competitors. The service various a bit between the US and EU markets, with the previous having two tiers. The “Platinum” tier granted customers a two-day turnaround time on repairs and loaner gear ought to the restore take longer than that. A member-only service hotline, 20% low cost on out-of-warranty repairs, free sensor or EVF cleansing for as much as 4 cameras per yr, and a few further providers have been additionally included. This got here at an annual value of $199. The “RED” tier was free, requiring an S-line digital camera, and granted 3-5 restore journeys, in addition to loaner gear, ought to the restore require greater than per week. The now-discontinued European LUMIX Professional Service was much like the American RED tier.A sight we by no means need to see exterior the lab. Picture credit score PanasonicWhat does that imply?The LUMIX Professional Service was undoubtedly a pleasant factor to have, and axing it would appear to be a nasty omen. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t put an excessive amount of weight on such a transfer. Providers come and go, and varied restore and upkeep is finished by native representatives. Whereas it might sound harsh, I consider the precise impact can be largely negligible. LUMIX cameras are nonetheless extremely succesful skilled instruments (as are most present cameras from different manufacturers), and as a working skilled, I’ve at all times held a backup digital camera shut by. No service is ever as fast as a spare.If you’re a member of the service, you must be capable to log in and handle your accounts, together with securing any information, till thirty first December 2025. New registrations are now not out there after 18th September 2025.Will the cancellation of the LUMIX Professional Service have an effect on you in any means? Are you registered for such a service with one other model? Tell us within the feedback.