Sticking control wheel(s) on A99

Jakuli wrote: penndragonn2001 wrote: ... but it seems Sony will never be able to contend with Canon and Nikon in their semi pro/Pro line of cameras, with these kinds of design and mechanical issues right from the door. The image Quality is Fantastic, and I'm too invested to go back to Nikon now. Working with sticky wheels and camera freezing and/or throwing some errors in the middle of a shoot is totally unacceptable to any pro.

You think Canons and Nikons don't suffer from errors or failures? Go read Canon and Nikon forums, you'll see they have their fair share of problems.

This is the reason any real pro has at least one backup camera. Better is to have 3 cameras. It allows you to use two different lenses without switching, and have a backup in case something goes wrong.

With that said, backup lenses, batteries, and memory cards are also important.

I have had the sticky wheels on both A900 and A99.

I used "Precision Electronics Cleaner" (spry can purchased at Radio Shack). I held the camera (lens pointing up so the excess cleaner would drip away from the back. After spaying I immediately spun the wheels several times and then followed with compressed air. I then used a thin piece of cleaning paper to slide into and under and above the wheels for additional contact cleaning. I pulled the cleaning paper back and forth to clean inside contacts.

After my procedure the wheels worked smoothly as they should.

I really don't see the sticky wheels as a high level issue because the maintenance is so simple (easier than removing stubborn dirt from the sensor). I definitely would not send my camera to Sony Repair for this. I have had similar issues with other non-camera electronic equipment.

Edited by William Curtindale - 27 April 2014 at 02:23