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Panasonic GH3 Japanese model
  • shayanxtrashayanxtra

    Dear forum, I recently bought my Gh3 from Japan and I cant return it. I'm just finding out that there is no way to change the language to English. Is there a way to change the firmware? help please.

  • 39 Replies sorted by
  • sam_rides_a_mtbsam_rides_a_mtb

    anyone here have GH3 or GH4 service manual?

  • drbdrb

    @novicebear The translation file seems to have been removed. Could you please upload the latest file. Thanks so much!!!

  • novicebearnovicebear

    I have finished the one for Wi-Fi functions. Some menus are quite similar because no matter what you choose to connect via Wi-Fi, the camera will ask you similar choices of settings. I have studied English/Chinese Advanced Menus. Information is cut into pieces. Anyway, I will only use one or two functions via Wi-Fi. So it won't bother me much.

    http://rapidshare.com/files/2601735572/GH3(part2).pdf

  • novicebearnovicebear

    Thanks Balak. It will be great if we can have the App for reference. I don't mind if others work on the pdf to make GH3 users (Japanese version) more convenient to use. Actually I don't do the translation myself. I made the mapping by referring to the English, Chinese and Japanese Advanced Menus. It took me 3 days. :( I hate panasonic! hahah

  • BalakBalak

    This is for all others in the same ' Japanese GH3' boat ! Using Novicebear's work as the starting point, I am planning to write an Android app that will replicate the Menu tree structure of the GH3. This way it will be possible to run this app on an Android device, be able to touch navigate through the menus and easily access the translations novicebear has provided ( and indicated that he will improve upon). Any suggestions for this app is welcome. Right now in the Spec-ing stage. Plan to add multilingual capability, but have no language translation resources....so translations of novicebear's into other languages (with his permission) are welcome. Any other ideas, please contribute. The app will be free of course....

  • novicebearnovicebear

    You are welcome. Though it's a bit annoying at the very beginning, I think it will be alright after you get used to it. By the way, I found that I overlooked the pages on Wi-Fi (It's troublesome because the Advanced User Manual is a mess on this part.) I have tried the remote function using iPhone Apps. It's fantastic. Will share here after I finish the mapping.

  • BalakBalak

    Thank you very much novice bear ! May your tribe multiply ! The GH3 is a truly great piece of hardware, not just a great camera...and your generous sharing is a great help to all of us who bought the Japanese version.....

  • novicebearnovicebear

    Sorry folks. I hope this link will help. Enjoy! GH3 is really great! And I saved a lot from buying in Japan. :)

    http://rapidshare.com/files/3165105932/GH3(JEC).pdf

  • LeGoLeGo

    Many many thanks novicebear! I am able been ambling along with the basic functions of the GH3. This translation will help me to make better use of my Japan-version GH3.

    I had no problem downloading the manual. Those who have difficulty downloading the manual from the link novicebear provided can post their email address here and I can email them a copy of the manual that novicebear provided,

  • BalakBalak

    Novicebear: Thanks for your willingness to share. However, we are not able to download the pdf.. Could you find another way ? Thanks

  • novicebearnovicebear

    Hope the menu is helpful to you.

    GH3.pdf
    5M
  • mattherematthere

    Folks with a Japanese gh3, there is an owner on dpreview who is currently translating the menus and posting the results if you are interested..
    http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3471390

  • BalakBalak

    I made the same mistake. Checked all possibilities. Finally, downloaded the service manual for GH3 and figured that it is not possible to change from Japanese to English in the domestic Japanese models. When the main PCB is replaced, and a certain sequence executed, the option of choosing the model ( region ) is offered ONLY ONCE. It never re-appears thereafter. Decided to make a menu map between English and Japanese...making progress.... :-). Now, if Vitaliy can crack this...I shall kneel on the ground and say 'oomba, oomba' besides making a generous (>$ 100 ) contribution !! FFOr what it is worth drbuckyballs, misery loves company !

  • drbdrb

    @LeGo i just updated the firmware to 1.1 with a glimmer of hope it would show the english menu...i knew i was clinging on a straw and it's still all in japanese so i hope Vitaly will sort this out with his hack that we can choose any language and will donate an additional amount for that.

  • LeGoLeGo

    It seems unlikely that the hack you are expecting is forthcoming.

    Is it not possible to figure out the English equivalent in the Japanese Menu if you use the two GH3 side-by-side? I figured that it would be easier for me as I have had some experience with the GH2.

  • drbdrb

    Yes I bought another one, this time in english, stashed the japanese one away safely until the hack comes out and then I will update it with the hack and sell it (probably for a slight loss). Panasonic should really not do this! I found it IMPOSSIBLE to navigate through the japanese menus. You will miss out on too many settings, especially since this is my first GH camera.

  • LeGoLeGo

    I am faced with the same dilemma.

    Do you mean that you now have two GH3, one with a Japanese-only Menu and a 2nd GH3 with an English menu? If yes, how easy is it to navigate the 1st Japanese-only Menu GH3 using this 2nd GH3 that now has an English Menu?

  • drbdrb

    I finally resolved this issue. I bought another one !!!

  • drbdrb

    Thanks for the replies. Please @mee please let me know how you go at panasonic. I bought it from amazon japan, of course could not see anything on the site that would explain japanese only version, then I had it shipped to AUS so difficult for me to return somewhat. So maybe I have two options, send it back to Panasonic for exchange or wait for a hack from Vitaliy which hopefully turns this to an intl. camera.

  • meemee

    Go to Akihabara, Softmap and Yodobashi both have English duty free versions (duty free only applies to tourist passports, not resident). Many other shops have English versions of most camera's but with GH3's newness those are your best bet. The Panasonic office is also there (small and hard to find), and likely could help you order an English version with a bit of kind persuasion. I may actually be there tomorrow, so if possible I will confirm if the shops have the English version (they really should).

  • itsjabaitsjaba

    I haven't heard of anyone finding a way around the Jap models menus - i was pre-warned by a Camera Store guy who uses this forum so i narrowly avoided that mistake.

  • MRfannyMRfanny

    it is to stop people from buying jap grey imports. in the best interest of the domestic market. it was the same with the gh1, gh2, and now the gh3.

  • drbdrb

    @shayanxtra did you ever manage to turn your camera into an english speaking one? Panasonic US support seems to be a bit confused. One minute they are saying it can be changed, the next minute they are saying it can be changed but could be difficult (without telling you how) and Panasonic Australia says it cannot be done at all. I'm lost. (形) うるさい

  • drbdrb

    I just got mine from amazon japan and have the same issue. The language menu of the Lumix GH3 is only in japanese. Panasonic why would you do this to your customers? How can this be changed? Surely this is only software.

  • bruckerbrucker

    yes, like the UK is not part of europe, we're not part of asia :P

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