Should I be worried?

glassofwater, there is no problem with your English - the problem is understanding how the thing you described could happen.

glassesofwater wrote: The metal part with the bright orange dot was kind of loose, but it wasn't loose enough to fit the aperture operating ring back into it. In fact, it was loose only at it's upper half. It made me wonder why it came out so easily and question this camera's past, since I got it used. That's why I am worried.

Are you saying that the aperture ring (we can call it that) protruded slightly around the edge of the mount after the accident? Or that it came out completely?

One guess is that the previous owner did something to the camera and left some of those internal parts in an abnormal state. How long have you had the camera? Are you sure it was working correctly before the accident occurred - I mean, was the aperture control really doing its job?

Another guess is that everything was originally fine. Then you dropped the camera and the screws holding the mount in place really did pull out from the body, allowing things inside to flop around. It's possible that the screw threads are now stripped. Are those screws really holding strong now, or can you pull the mount away from the camera slightly?

Regarding proficiency in the English language... You are more proficient than 90% of the English speakers.

rovhazman wrote: I would check whether the SSS works. usually it is the first thing to break on A700.

I remembered all the "my a700's SSS broke" threads here at dyxum. How do I check this? The SSS bar at the viewfinder is working and the camera does that "usual" shake when turning off.

This is weird. I can only imagine that the mount must have flexed quite a distance from the rest of the body during the impact to allow the aperture ring to come out completely. Perhaps the screws were actually loose in the first place?

In answer to your original question, no this is not normal!! In fact, if I had been asked before your story appeared here, I would have said it was impossible. The miracle is that no permanent damage appears to have resulted and that you managed to put it back together again -- with a 'dagger' ! I guess you mean knife, but that is no less remarkable. Well done.

Let's hope the camera continues to work as it should.

I had a vaguely similar thing happen with a Sigma zoom became stuck in my 7D. The camera had to be sent for repair as the aperture lever had jumped its contact part in the lens itself. They had to take the entire mounting flange off.

Good to hear that you have succeeded with your own repair. Enjoy your A700. I am getting a 2nd hand one soon and hope to not have any such problems.

hrstrat57 wrote: I am astounded that it appears your SSS is not broken. Very lucky indeed!

+1