Self repair of A700

Hope I am posting in the right forum. I believe my shutter release button is broken. The camera will not AF when the button is 1/2 depressed. When button is fully depressed it will activate the shutter and take a photo. Camera will only AF with Eye Start function and depression of joystick controller.

I was wondering if anyone had OP's on trying to fix this issue myself? Obviously I'd have to price out the part from Sony. I can't afford another new camera body, A77 is the only one of interest to me. I don't want to payout the $300.00 to Sony simply for sending to them. Then there is the repair cost in and above that. I was shopping A700 used bodies as an alternative but, not sure that is the best way to go.

I have some mechanical skills, as far as doing the work I am not THAT concerned. My reservation is if this requires some surgeon like mechanical talents or equipment for that matter? I could replace the battery door or card slot door w/o any hesitation. Just wonder if the internals of an A700 or way beyond my repair skills.

Your comments and thoughts are appreciated. Thank you....

Al

You might want to consult page 102 in the user manual and check your setting for 'AF w/ shutter'.

If you do decide to do it yourself, and it is indeed the shutter release that's broken, you'll need this part "1-480-187-11: switchblock, control (RL62300)"

Way to go, Sybersitizen!

Tee Hee!

Better yet, your camera is working which is the overarching requirement.

Nice one sybersitizen