Sony A500 autofocus and framing issues

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1soupdragon

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Hi there
I've got a problem with my A500 camera - and its the same problem on all 3 lenses I own.

When composing in either live view or via viewfinder, I see a focused image and I take the shot. The result is an out of focus image and the frame which I have seen has moved to the right and also angled up at one side, ie, I frame the horizon perfectly straight and when I take the shot, the image horizon is slanted.
When I use manual focus, the exact same thing happens - everything looks fine but the result is an image which is out of focus, shifted to the right and also slanted:bang:

I can circumnavigate these errors by using the DOF preview button - I hit it, then compose, focus manually and shoot. Voila, a perfect image. The frame is no longer tilting or shifting to the right and the focus is as I would have expected.

The thing is, I just don't understand what the fault is. I'm guessing it needs a repair but that could be costly as its out of warranty.

My other problem is that for some reason, the steady shot function on the menu isn't selectable - its greyed out and I can't turn it on. This is strange too.

Has anybody any idea what would be causing these problems?
 
I had the same problem with SteadyShot on my a330. Unfortunately I had to send it in to get it fixed. It also seems to me that it had composing issues, though not as bad as yours. When I got it back it was as good as new.
Sorry I can't help you with a solution.
 
Repair time I think unfortunately :-/ scope out the second hand places as it might be cheaper to replace the body than repair it.
 
Thanks Rustico.
The steady shot issue is also strange, I don't get it at all. Can a user update firmware on these camera's?
 
I doubt it. But did you try resetting the whole camera? It won't help for the focusing issues but it might do something for the SteadyShot part. I remember there was something I could not change, it went gray, and I reset the camera and it worked fine.
 
srichards said:
Repair time I think unfortunately :-/ scope out the second hand places as it might be cheaper to replace the body than repair it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I've been doing that. I'm a regular on AVForums but not much Sony action in their classifieds. I've also had a look on ebay but I'm not fond of the ebay set up at all. Unfortunately I can't access the classifieds on here, even though I joined 5 months ago.

I'm guessing I'll need to send it back for repair - anybody know a ball park figure which I would have to pay for the repair?
 
Rustico said:
I doubt it. But did you try resetting the whole camera? It won't help for the focusing issues but it might do something for the SteadyShot part. I remember there was something I could not change, it went gray, and I reset the camera and it worked fine.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rustico - I did try that but uinfortunately it didn't work.

Its been a bit of a pain using the camera because as I say, I can still get some great shots (I even took some of my best shots ever over this weekend) but it should really be easier than this so in the long run its probably better to change or repair it.
 
Sounds very like a broken SSS to me. Are the bars in the VF flashing?
 
Johnd2000 said:
Sounds very like a broken SSS to me. Are the bars in the VF flashing?
Click to expand...

Sorry, excuse my ignorance but whats an SSS?

In terms of the flashing bars, when using the OVF the bars are flashing (its a picture of 5 bars and a hand and a (i) warning triangle...
 
Generally, when the steadyshot systems fails several things will happen:

a) You won't be able to select it in the menu (greyed out)
b) The steadyshot bars will flash in the viewfinder
c) The image will be off centre and front/back focused - remember the sensor moves about as part of the super steadyshot (SSS) system, and when it breaks the sensor can remain in the wrong place (or something like that).

If you shake or tap the camera, the framing issue *may* go away for a short while, but it sounds like the SSS and therefore the sensor alignment is knackered.
 
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