What has happened to my camera?

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

I mentioned this on my Air Show thread but I thought I'd post a new thread and see if anyone has any answers to what might have happened to my camera. I have a dSLR Sony a350 and have just passed 32,000 clicks I use my camera daily- what with learning, various projects; 365, 52 plus assignments and practice etc.

Thankfully I had just left the airshow and was on my way home when I decided to stop at the local marina to grab a shot I've been meaning to do for awhile and just as the shutter clicked the picture thru the view finder stuttered, I got to see 1/2 the shot and then it went black. No view through the eye piece or on the live view screen. Won't even take a "point & shoot and hope for the best shot", it won't focus. No flat battery and I let it cool down(been clicking all day) but still nothing, oh dear, sounds expensive.... any clues? I know I'll have to take it to the camera shop(they send it away) which will mean it'll be gone for a couple of weeks at least, last time it went for a clean it took 12 days, I felt like my arm had been cut off! Guess I'll have to get the "point & shoot" out.

[RichardTaylor]

Any thing in the manual about doing a total reset, or "system" restore, including removing All batteries including the clock battery?.
Does the problem exist with more then one lens?

[Vincent_G]

Is this what's happening? Sony Alpha a350 objective problem? - YouTube

[bhursey]

Shutter? Some cameras are only raided to 50k. They can fail allot sooner than that or later.

[SwissJon]

Just out of curiosity, have you ever had your camera serviced?

The fact that you can't see anything through the view finder suggests the mirror is stuck up. It's probably that the shutter/mirror mechanism has got jammed because of lack of lubrification. I'd suggest that you take the lens off, and carefully ease down the mirror if it's up, use a lens cloth or something to prevent problems with dust and grease, then take it into a camera shop and ask them to give it an annual service. They'll lubricate the hinges and so on.

Just like a car, if you don't service your camera, it'll eventually go wrong.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

Just out of curiosity, have you ever had your camera serviced?

The fact that you can't see anything through the view finder suggests the mirror is stuck up. It's probably that the shutter/mirror mechanism has got jammed because of lack of lubrification. I'd suggest that you take the lens off, and carefully ease down the mirror if it's up, use a lens cloth or something to prevent problems with dust and grease, then take it into a camera shop and ask them to give it an annual service. They'll lubricate the hinges and so on.

Just like a car, if you don't service your camera, it'll eventually go wrong.

+1

I was out shooting and the guy next to me was having a similar issue with his D3...I looked inside and *carefully* flipped the mirror back down and it was working again.

In most the mirror is raised by a little arm/roller thing. The arm had jumped to the wrong side of the mirror and jammed.

However, if you are not comfortable/knowledgable don't do it yourself...just take it in for service. Do inspect it carefully so you may have an idea of what the problem is. You don't want to hear it requires a new shutter etc when it doesn't.

[JFSanders]

She stated that she has had the camera in for cleaning and service in which she felt like a one armed paper hanger for two whole weeks. So yes, she has had it serviced.

It will definitely need to to go to the shop. Sorry, maybe the shop has a loaner program?

[sk66]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

She stated that she has had the camera in for cleaning and service in which she felt like a one armed paper hanger for two whole weeks. So yes, she has had it serviced.

Not since the malfunction....But fixing it isn't something I would suggest someone who won't even clean their own sensor should do. Problem is it might be an "easy fix", but the easy fix might not prevent it from happening again. (then again, a "proper repair" might not either)

[mosgood]

The Konica Minolta 7D had a similar issue. Many owners (myself included) have had problems with the first frame being black. Eventually, the cameras would freeze up/stop working (mine included). My best advice would be to contact Sony. They took over KM's dslr line several years ago. Could be a similar problem or something different, but starting with Sony is a good place to go.

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

She stated that she has had the camera in for cleaning and service in which she felt like a one armed paper hanger for two whole weeks. So yes, she has had it serviced.

It will definitely need to to go to the shop. Sorry, maybe the shop has a loaner program?

I read it that she got it cleaned.. To me that reads "Sensor cleaning" which is different that a full service.. No lubrification etc. Why it took 12 days I've no idea.