Stress testing the A700: Some issues?

[synapseman]

Hello all, I've just completed my 3rd wedding shoot with the A700. During the first shoot, my camera "hanged" on several occasions. Had this rectified by software update.

However, I've noticed another set of problems cropping up:

1) The playback button does not work all the time. I don't think it's a writing-to-buffer in-process issue, because if it were, then there'd be a dialog box popping up to indicate so. The red memory access lamp is not lit. Just that sometimes when I press the playback button, nothing happens.

2) Using the vertical grip, the shutter button does not react to "half-press". It won't focus, but when you press all the way down, it will trip the shutter. Again, this seems to be an intermittent problem, but happens often enough that I nearly missed out on some crucial shots because of this.

3) Is there a way to lock the buttons behind the camera? Especially the "C" and "Fn" buttons. When I have the camera slinged to my neck, sometimes my belt or some part of my body accidentally hits one of these buttons and causes the settings to be changed without me realising. Again, this happened quite a few times over the course of a day. This one may be operator fault though, so any advice would be appreciated.

Anybody have any similar encounters?

[dr34mc4st3r]

you upgrade to firmware version 3 already?

[dr34mc4st3r]

you upgrade to firmware version 3 already?

[synapseman]

Originally Posted by dr34mc4st3r you upgrade to firmware version 3 already?

Yes I have. It's upgraded to ver.3 already.

[tankm]

...oppss

[tankm]

Originally Posted by synapseman 2) Using the vertical grip, the shutter button does not react to "half-press". It won't focus, but when you press all the way down, it will trip the shutter. Again, this seems to be an intermittent problem, but happens often enough that I nearly missed out on some crucial shots because of this. 3) Is there a way to lock the buttons behind the camera? Especially the "C" and "Fn" buttons. When I have the camera slinged to my neck, sometimes my belt or some part of my body accidentally hits one of these buttons and causes the settings to be changed without me realising. Again, this happened quite a few times over the course of a day. This one may be operator fault though, so any advice would be appreciated. Anybody have any similar encounters?

For (2), did encountered similar problem with my VG. Sent VG to SSC and they found nothing wrong. On top of the intermittent VG shutter button problem, mine always report 2nd battery is not InfoLithium battery even though it is. They advised me to send in the camera and VG for them to check. Instead of that I clean the VG contacts in the A700 battery compartment with contact cleaner. After that all works fine for now.

For (3), there is a MENU item you can set that prevents aperture/shutter speed changes when the VF timeout. Not sure if it works for the rear buttons as well. No camera with me right now, can't tell you exactly which MENU Item.

All the best.

[vodox]

Just a possible scenario for Problem 2

Sometimes when I notice that the shutter button is still locked in the halfpress mode, maybe the spring isnt strong enough or something, but if u twiddle it a bit, it pops back up and then you can half press for the focus again. Ive noticed that at times...

[synapseman]

Originally Posted by tankm For (3), there is a MENU item you can set that prevents aperture/shutter speed changes when the VF timeout. Not sure if it works for the rear buttons as well. No camera with me right now, can't tell you exactly which MENU Item. All the best.

Yeah, there is a menu setting to lock the exposure dials from shifting exposure settings accidentally. I have already turned the options on for this. But there is no lock for the buttons the joystick. Once the "C" or "Fn" buttons are hit, then the joystick can also be accidentally moved to change settings (like Sony creative style modes, and practically anything else that's visible on the LCD panel!)

Might be a case of design "backfire", as the original intention was to make it convenient for the user to change settings more easily.

Maybe for now, someone needs to develop some sort of LCD cover that will cover all the buttons as well as the screen.

[synapseman]

Originally Posted by vodox Just a possible scenario for Problem 2 Sometimes when I notice that the shutter button is still locked in the halfpress mode, maybe the spring isnt strong enough or something, but if u twiddle it a bit, it pops back up and then you can half press for the focus again. Ive noticed that at times...

Thanks. You could be right. I notice that the A700's shutter button feels a bit "sticky" sometimes.

But other than that, the camera is excellent. If I can solve all the problems, then it'll be pretty close to absolutely perfect (for me)!