IMPORTANT; First frame black issue

Babelfish gave me a fairly decent translation of the text into english, and from the information I've read seems that when you send your camera into service the culprit for the defect will be replaced by a redesigned and corrected part (2181-0500-02 replaces 2181-0500-01), making our cameras perfectly usable for years to come. OTOH, who knows whether there are more project problems just waiting for us in these years to come... :(

Moreover, those who have already sent their cameras near march 2006 - when parts were lacking all over - and are experiencing the BF problem again had probably the shutter assembly replaced by the faulted version of the mechanism which hadn't the correction applied at the time. So when sending our cameras to be serviced, it would be interesting to know which part numbers our service shops are using now.

Something like this raises yet another question: why redesigning the shutter mecanism from scratch, instead of using the time-proven shutters of Maxxum 7 and Maxxum 9 (or even 700si and 800si) ?

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Paulo

Edited by paulofessel - 04 January 2007 at 02:59

As I understand it correctly this problem was not rectified until sony bought KM's camera stock. I am lucky (or maybe not) that I have not experienced this problem. I have extended warranty, I wonder what they will say when I tell them that the manufacturer screwed up and I would like my components replaced before the problem exists.

"It is stated that, irrespective of use, eventually all or most 5D and 7D bodies will fail from the same error, the statement made is that 1 in 4 so far already seems to have been coming back for repair. The problem is a design problem, every camera will eventually fail due to it."

There is no question form the memo that we need to do something. I hope that someone from Sony is reading this.

While it is in getting repaired wouldn't it be nice if they could "upgrade" the sensor to the new a100 ;)

I had a question. I have had about 2 or so black frames happen, i turn off the camera and turn it back on and its good to go. However...its obviously happening. I am scared it is going to get worse, it is still under warranty, do you think I should try to have it repaired even though I doubt they would be able to recreate the problem, just if they see that this part is in it?

According to the service manuals the camera log errors internally. The log can be read by a service agent with the correct software. Failure of the shutter to actuate within a reasonable time, which must be what causes the "first shot black problem", is Error 58.

So, there should be no need for the error to be repeated in test for service personnel to "believe" that it is a problem - they should just read the log. They should be able to tell if you have had it happen just once.

I've got 2 months left on my warrenty and i'm seriously thinking about just sending my 7D away and telling them i've had this problem, even though i haven't. They clearly know the problem is there and probably don't even test for it anymore. This way it's fixed and i don't spend my days wondering when it will happen.

They only have to check the camera error log!

paulofessel: i got my camera at 2005's summer (if i recall correctly) and it has never seen KM service:(

I suggest you try to talk to your local KM service representative. If it's useless, then sending the camera to the EU or the US may be an option.

The only time I had to use Sony-KM's service here in Brazil they were very helpful and repaired the camera as soon as the parts arrived - in the case, the shutter button assembly of Maxxum 700si. I'll check here if they already know about BF problem.

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Paulo

Sanjuro wrote: I just hope Sony release another DSLR so I could change....

That's actually another solution that i would like to see; Sony releases a new body in the "7D class" and offer a significant discount for anyone is willing to exchange the old 7D for it.

My 5D guarantee runs out in 21 days time. To date, I haven't experienced this problem (touch wood). Perhaps the mods can make a "sticky" somewhere on this site so this information is available to both current and future Dyxum viewers if/when they experience the problem. May be valuable when dealing with Sony service in other parts of the world.

Frank