Morning and afternoon (and how the Panasonic LX3 file numbering works)

Morning, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

Afternoon, originally uploaded by jiihaa.

I was asked how to find out how many photographs have been taken with the Panasonic LX3. Well, there is the easy way, and the sure way. The easy way is by taking a photograph and looking at the file name. The sure way requires some dexterity with fingers.

File naming starts at P1000001. After 1000 photographs, the file name changes to P1010000. After another 1000 photographs, it changes to P1020000, and so on. When you are at P1990999, this means that you have taken 99,999 photographs. The next photograph will be named P2000000 and so on.

However, the file numbering system can be easily reset, so it is not a reliable indicator of the use of a second-hand camera. But there is a service mode, which can be used to check the status of the camera. I had a bit of trouble with this at first, until I read the instructions carefully, pressing the right cursor button (or in fact, the left one). Below you see the display on my LX3.



Oh yes, I almost forgot - both of the photographs above were taken today, morning and afternoon.