Dear Mavic 3 users
or specialists with knowledge

I suddenly have a big problem that didn't exist before.
While the main camera on the Mavic 3 works flawlessly, the following happens when switching to "7" - i.e. when switching to the native focal length of the telephoto lens:
The number 49 suddenly appears (when using the standard controller with an iPhone/iPad) and 48.9 when I use the RC Pro controller. A blurry image shows up. No focus / autofocus. Just a blurry image of the scenery.

On the recommendation of DJI Support, I deleted the Fly App software, even reset the controller to factory settings and reinstalled all of it. I also freshly installed the firmware of the Mavic 3 via the DJI Assistant connected to the PC - without success. Then I rolled back the firmware version - to no avail - and brought it back "up to date" - still without being able to fix the error.

The camera just shows a blurred view with an indication of 49x or 48.9x in zoom mode (photo) and explore mode.

Has anyone ever had a problem like this?

Hello there a2k. I am sorry for the trouble this has caused and thank you for reaching out. May we please know before having this issue with the Telephoto Lens of your DJI Mavic 3, did your DJI Mavic 3 had a hard landing or a crash before? In addition, since you have done several troubleshooting steps to fix the issue and still the issue persist. It would be best to send in the unit for proper assessment. Kindly please find this DJI link https://dji.com/support?site=brandsite&from=nav helpful in contacting our DJI Product Support Team for further assistance. Again I am sorry and thank you.

Hi dear DJI Stephen,
thanks for your quick reply.

The drone did not have a hard landing, nor did it have an accident or anything like that. The Mavic 3 (like all 9 other drones that I use) is transported carefully and neatly in a professional case and is treated with great care. The device doesn't even have a scratch and isn't even dirty ;-)

I suspect a defect in the system - maybe it's something electronic because nothing can be seen on the outside.

I thought maybe there is someone here in the forum who has noticed such a strange case before.

I'll be happy to contact support so they can take a look at the device.

a2k Posted at 10-19 01:36
Hi dear DJI Stephen,
thanks for your quick reply.

Optics malfunction, obviously.
Will need a change.

Geo_Drone Posted at 10-23 23:21
Optics malfunction, obviously.
Will need a change.

I think so, too.
After the next mission that I have to do first I will send it to DJI for inspektion.
I will tell then what the result is.

Update:
I sent the Mavic 3 to DJI Technical Support after opening a repair case. I got a package label sent to me, so I don't have any costs. It has now arrived and has already been examined. A defect has obviously been found. The camera lens module (telephoto) will be replaced within the next three days and then the device will be sent back to me. Since the drone is still under the manufacturer's warranty and the defect is not my fault, I have already been informed that the repair will be free of charge for me. Otherwise I would probably have had to pay 98.43 euros for the spare part and 47.64 euros for the repair (total 146.07 euros). A great service. I think everything should be fine then. I will report.

a2k Posted at 11-19 06:16
Update:
I sent the Mavic 3 to DJI Technical Support after opening a repair case. I got a package label sent to me, so I don't have any costs. It has now arrived and has already been examined. A defect has obviously been found. The camera lens module (telephoto) will be replaced within the next three days and then the device will be sent back to me. Since the drone is still under the manufacturer's warranty and the defect is not my fault, I have already been informed that the repair will be free of charge for me. Otherwise I would probably have had to pay 98.43 euros for the spare part and 47.64 euros for the repair (total 146.07 euros). A great service. I think everything should be fine then. I will report.

whats not your fault, dumping the drone?  

a2k Posted at 11-19 06:16
Update:
I sent the Mavic 3 to DJI Technical Support after opening a repair case. I got a package label sent to me, so I don't have any costs. It has now arrived and has already been examined. A defect has obviously been found. The camera lens module (telephoto) will be replaced within the next three days and then the device will be sent back to me. Since the drone is still under the manufacturer's warranty and the defect is not my fault, I have already been informed that the repair will be free of charge for me. Otherwise I would probably have had to pay 98.43 euros for the spare part and 47.64 euros for the repair (total 146.07 euros). A great service. I think everything should be fine then. I will report.

If you sent it to NL, they dont repair your drone they will ship you a new one and hopefully it won’t present anymore problems for you.

djiuser_EEXtim8SFbZ6 Posted at 11-19 06:22
whats not your fault, dumping the drone?

That means I didn't cause the damage. I was asked if I had an accident with the drone or if it hit the ground hard. Neither nor.

hallmark007 Posted at 11-19 13:01
If you sent it to NL, they dont repair your drone they will ship you a new one and hopefully it won’t present anymore problems for you.

I got an address in Hungary. I should send the drone there. I am excited. I recently received an email in which the damage was quantified and named "Telephoto lens" and "Repair". So I think they actually fixed them. I'll let you know when I get the package.

To conclude this post I can finally summarize the following:

What happened:
When I noticed the error in the zoom lens, I contacted support by phone. First I did everything on the software side to eliminate the error. Firmware downgraded, controller reset to factory settings, etc. When that didn't help, I opened a repair case via the homepage and then received a package sticker with which I could send the drone from Germany to Hungary free of charge. Apparently there is a place in Hungary where DJI drones are tested and repaired.

When the drone arrived there, it was checked and it was found that the zoom camera was defective. I got an email with the detected error. The replacement and repair would cost around 150 euros but due to the guarantee nothing will be charged. The repaired drone should be sent to me in about three working days.

When the parcel service came a few days later, they brought me a brand new drone that was shrink-wrapped. Shortly before, I received an e-mail with the data / serial number of a new drone and the note that I have 72 hours after the initial activation of the drone to activate Care Refresh.

FINALLY / SUMMERY:

DJI gave me a new drohne!
I was always reliably informed about the ongoing process by e-mail.

I'm very excited!

I hope this little experience report is interesting and useful for everyone here in the forum. I wish you a good flight and always happy landings.

Joe / a2k-media

disregard.  

a2k Posted at 11-27 05:24
To conclude this post I can finally summarize the following:

What happened:

Good job , yes issuing a new one is now the normal. Good luck.

These telephoto lenses are not very stable.  
This is the second aircraft I have gone through in 3 months.  No accidents or hard landings.  I treat my aircraft like they are bombs. Hard cases with dense foam fill.
The first one I purchased from eBay worked for 45 days.  15 days past the "eBay" warranty no zoom.  DJI tech support said to send it in... might cost me some coin. That story is an entire blog in itself.  
That resulted in an insurance claim involving Capital One, the credit card company.  

During that fiasco, I purchased a brand new one from Amazon... 10 days later... no zoom... it seems like they just repair and repackage and redistribute.  Very difficult to trust this aircraft anymore.... if it weren't for the great footage and battery life, I would go back to the Zoom 2.  Have hundreds of hrs on that aircraft.   
Trying to decide if the 3rd one will be any different.

There is most definitely a design flaw with this camera system.  We all know the second lens is okay at best..." when it works".
I guarantee someone at DJI knows it and the marketing department won over the quality control team.  

Please fix this DJI.

Libre Posted at 12-6 13:48
These telephoto lenses are not very stable.  
This is the second aircraft I have gone through in 3 months.  No accidents or hard landings.  I treat my aircraft like they are bombs. Hard cases with dense foam fill.
The first one I purchased from eBay worked for 45 days.  15 days past the "eBay" warranty no zoom.  DJI tech support said to send it in... might cost me some coin. That story is an entire blog in itself.  

Hello Libre,
that's interesting.

I'm sorry about what happened to you with these devices. That sounds like a real drama. I haven't heard anything about problems with the M3 camera lens in general so far.

For me it is now the fourth Mavic 3 but for other reasons. The first was stolen from my car, the second was accidentally destroyed after an operation (funnily enough, it wasn't a flight accident, but a colleague accidentally drove a truck over my equipment), the third had the camera problem described in this threat. Meanwhile, the fourth is here, waiting to be activated. So far I haven't had much luck with the model, although most of it was no fault of the manufacturer. Sometimes I too would prefer to continue flying with my favorite drone - the Mavic 2 Pro - but mainly because of the much better Go4 app, which gives me better tools for my missions. I am still hoping they will change or add some things on the Fly App... but probably they will not :-(

I wish you the best of luck with your Mavic 3.
May it always fly well and always be technically in order.

All the best!