Dynax Digital Forums

Hi folks
Just thought I'd let you guys know about a problem I've just had with my A700 and see if anything similar has happened to any of you. I just got back from a trip to the States. During my trip my A700 started developing a strange little noise whenever I turned it on. Its basically a long (2 seconds or so) vibrating noise coming from inside the camera that's very similar to the short little noise you get whenever you turn on the A700. It sounds like it may be something to do with the auto focus gearing but I still get it even with no lens attached to the camera. It may or may not have something to do with the second part of my problem which is my camera also started cropping off the left hand side of the image quite dramatically.

I took it into my local Jessops this morning and the guy serving seemed a bit clueless. At first he told me all Sony SLR's crop in slightly on what you get in the view finder (err hang on, isn't it the other way around? You actually get more image than what you see in the view finder unless you've got an full frame A900) When I told him the camera was only a couple of months old he told me they would send it back to Sony for a repair job, problem is its away for 4-6 weeks now. I'm also worried because the guy from Jessops said that even though its still under warranty if they think it was damaged as the result of an accident they could well charge me mega bucks for a repair job, especially if the sensor is broken, although the latter I doubt because all the photos I took were fine except for the left hand side cropping.

My theory is the camera must have gotten a knock somehow, although I can't see any marks on the body, and something has been put out of alignment. I just really hope its easily fixable and my beloved A700 isn't dead at a really early age.

Anyway I was just wondering if anyone here has had any similar experiences or knows what they think might be wrong?     

Cheers Rob

I'm not aware of any knock and there's certainly no damage on the body or lens. Is that little noise and vibration you get when you turn on the A700 the anti shake system engaging? Didn't know that, If it is then its definitely that that's at fault I think. 

Don't know how nervous I am about Sony claiming its been cased by accidental damage and therefore not covered by my warranty. I've heard mixed things about Sony's repair policy of their gear. I guess I just hope that because there's no obvious damage to the outside of the camera they think its a simple problem that can be fixed relatively easily.

Cheers for the info about the camera clinic. I'll bare that in mind if Sony say its not within its warranty and want to charge me a fortune for fixing it. I took the A700 back to my local Jessops where I bought it so they've dealt with sending it away. Another thing I'm slightly nervous of is if they go bust in the next month what'll happen to my camera? I've got a copy of the serial number and receipt so I guess it should be ok.

I'd be interested in reading that thread if anyone can find it. I did a search but couldn't find anything.

I've just done a bit of research on Jessops and although the company as a whole is being scaled back and wound down it appears the big main high street city centre shops are being kept on for the time being. It should be fine I think

Thanks mobe7. Good advice.

Hope all is well now.

Clive