Sony a200 faulty viewfinder?

anonygoose · 24th March 2009

I got my first proper camera today, a Sony a200, and I'm chuffed with the image quality and general feel of the camera.

I thought I was getting quite used to it until I noticed something odd. After taking pictures closer up I started to notice a huge discrepancy between what I thought I was shooting and what actually turned out in the pictures.

Would you guys describe it as a fault to have a camera that crops a huge portion of the image you think you're taking (seen through the viewfinder) off of the bottom, and instead has much more at the top than you were expecting? It's like the viewfinder is in a world of its own. I've read there can be slight differences around the edges between what you see in the viewfinder and what appears on the photo, but this is a pretty huge difference I'm talking about, not just a little less in the photo than I expected. It's hard to describe, but to get something to appear in the vertical middle of a shot on a photo, it has to be much further up in the viewfinder than is natural.

I just submitted a return request to where I bought it from, but I'm sure they'll be slow to respond.

I'm right in thinking it's faulty, yeah? It's not a complete chore to line up shots on all DSLRs just for kicks?

Rashkae · 24th March 2009

No, there should only be a little bit extra in the final image on all sides compared to what's in the viewfinder. I'm thinking you had the camera shipped to you? It sounds like it went through some really rough handling, including some good and proper drop-testing, thus misaligning the sensor.

anonygoose · 24th March 2009

Thanks for the reply, it's good to know I'm not insane for thinking photos should appear a lot like they do through the viewfinder.

I did have it shipped to me and they've still not replied back yet the slowpokes. Going to go take it to the beach and see what I can find anyway, regardless of how damaged the silly thing is.

Rashkae · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by anonygoose

Thanks for the reply, it's good to know I'm not insane for thinking photos should appear a lot like they do through the viewfinder.

I did have it shipped to me and they've still not replied back yet the slowpokes. Going to go take it to the beach and see what I can find anyway, regardless of how damaged the silly thing is.

I'd suggest taking a picture of a perfectly square object, like a box or something. Have it fill up the vertical or horizontal edges of the viewfinder. There should be a liiiiittle bit extra space around it in the actual picture, but that should be even on all sides.

navlem · 24th March 2009

I have the same thing happening to my previous A300, i've read that its the same to the a200, a300 and a350.

Its cut off quite alot, so you have to more. I always take photos in portrait position, so the right side is always cut off alot. From then on I always position my VF more towards the right to counter the problem.

kelvint81 · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by navlem

I have the same thing happening to my previous A300, i've read that its the same to the a200, a300 and a350.

Its cut off quite alot, so you have to more. I always take photos in portrait position, so the right side is always cut off alot. From then on I always position my VF more towards the right to counter the problem.

this is something new to me
will take note since i on A200
thanks for this info bro,

Rashkae · 24th March 2009

Originally Posted by navlem

I have the same thing happening to my previous A300, i've read that its the same to the a200, a300 and a350.

Its cut off quite alot, so you have to more. I always take photos in portrait position, so the right side is always cut off alot. From then on I always position my VF more towards the right to counter the problem.

On the A300 it makes sense due to the pentamirror rather than pentaprism setup.

anonygoose · 25th March 2009

Hmm they wont take it back as I bought it "as new", what a crock. The thing still has a warranty regardless of whether I bought it brand spanking. It can only be a couple of months old, the thing is immaculate.

Think I pretty much fixed it though and had a good time on the beach earlier with the dog. I don't want to jinx it, but I gave it a little jolt against a table (really quite gentle) and it seems to have aligned it a lot better and pictures are now much easier to take, as the viewfinder seems to be pretty much seeing what the sensor does now.

Phew. I hope it stays like this now.

Now photos aligns pretty much perfectly along the top edge of the viewfinder, with a little bit extra at the bottom that I don't see until photos. Good enough for me!

Rashkae · 25th March 2009

Best to test and make sure your SSS is working properly too.

Dana538 · 28th March 2009

I have the same exact problem with my Sony A200. It is exactly how you decribe it. The centered spot that you see through the viewfinder is above of the center of the displayed picture. I'm out of the guarantee period and I don't know if it can't be repaired. I maybe try that gentle jolt. I want to become a photographer and I was getting started with it and then this problem... I'm using a compact camera as long as I don't get it repaired.
I try everything to make sure it was the camera that had something wrong. People kept telling me that I was moving down the camera when I shooted the picture, but I tried with a tripod and get the same problem. There is definitely something wrong with those cameras.

proteonXPR · 28th March 2009

Originally Posted by Dana538

I have the same exact problem with my Sony A200. It is exactly how you decribe it. The centered spot that you see through the viewfinder is above of the center of the displayed picture. I'm out of the guarantee period and I don't know if it can't be repaired. I maybe try that gentle jolt. I want to become a photographer and I was getting started with it and then this problem... I'm using a compact camera as long as I don't get it repaired.
I try everything to make sure it was the camera that had something wrong. People kept telling me that I was moving down the camera when I shooted the picture, but I tried with a tripod and get the same problem. There is definitely something wrong with those cameras.

got try turn off the IS in the body? since there is IS in the body, the sensor under goes displacement relative to shake

Rashkae · 29th March 2009

Originally Posted by Dana538

There is definitely something wrong with those cameras.

I have an A200 as a backup body. It's fine.

24th March 2009	#1
anonygoose New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	Sony a200 faulty viewfinder? I got my first proper camera today, a Sony a200, and I'm chuffed with the image quality and general feel of the camera. I thought I was getting quite used to it until I noticed something odd. After taking pictures closer up I started to notice a huge discrepancy between what I thought I was shooting and what actually turned out in the pictures. Would you guys describe it as a fault to have a camera that crops a huge portion of the image you think you're taking (seen through the viewfinder) off of the bottom, and instead has much more at the top than you were expecting? It's like the viewfinder is in a world of its own. I've read there can be slight differences around the edges between what you see in the viewfinder and what appears on the photo, but this is a pretty huge difference I'm talking about, not just a little less in the photo than I expected. It's hard to describe, but to get something to appear in the vertical middle of a shot on a photo, it has to be much further up in the viewfinder than is natural. I just submitted a return request to where I bought it from, but I'm sure they'll be slow to respond. I'm right in thinking it's faulty, yeah? It's not a complete chore to line up shots on all DSLRs just for kicks?

24th March 2009	#2
Rashkae Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,290	Re: Sony a200 faulty viewfinder? No, there should only be a little bit extra in the final image on all sides compared to what's in the viewfinder. I'm thinking you had the camera shipped to you? It sounds like it went through some really rough handling, including some good and proper drop-testing, thus misaligning the sensor. __________________ Alpha

24th March 2009	#3
anonygoose New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Sony a200 faulty viewfinder? Thanks for the reply, it's good to know I'm not insane for thinking photos should appear a lot like they do through the viewfinder. I did have it shipped to me and they've still not replied back yet the slowpokes. Going to go take it to the beach and see what I can find anyway, regardless of how damaged the silly thing is.

24th March 2009	#5
navlem Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 874	Re: Sony a200 faulty viewfinder? I have the same thing happening to my previous A300, i've read that its the same to the a200, a300 and a350. Its cut off quite alot, so you have to more. I always take photos in portrait position, so the right side is always cut off alot. From then on I always position my VF more towards the right to counter the problem. __________________ like.no.other™ http://www.flickr.com/photos/navlem/

25th March 2009	#8
anonygoose New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Sony a200 faulty viewfinder? Hmm they wont take it back as I bought it "as new", what a crock. The thing still has a warranty regardless of whether I bought it brand spanking. It can only be a couple of months old, the thing is immaculate. Think I pretty much fixed it though and had a good time on the beach earlier with the dog. I don't want to jinx it, but I gave it a little jolt against a table (really quite gentle) and it seems to have aligned it a lot better and pictures are now much easier to take, as the viewfinder seems to be pretty much seeing what the sensor does now. Phew. I hope it stays like this now. Now photos aligns pretty much perfectly along the top edge of the viewfinder, with a little bit extra at the bottom that I don't see until photos. Good enough for me!

25th March 2009	#9
Rashkae Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,290	Re: Sony a200 faulty viewfinder? Best to test and make sure your SSS is working properly too. __________________ Alpha

28th March 2009	#10
Dana538 New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1	Re: Sony a200 faulty viewfinder? I have the same exact problem with my Sony A200. It is exactly how you decribe it. The centered spot that you see through the viewfinder is above of the center of the displayed picture. I'm out of the guarantee period and I don't know if it can't be repaired. I maybe try that gentle jolt. I want to become a photographer and I was getting started with it and then this problem... I'm using a compact camera as long as I don't get it repaired. I try everything to make sure it was the camera that had something wrong. People kept telling me that I was moving down the camera when I shooted the picture, but I tried with a tripod and get the same problem. There is definitely something wrong with those cameras. Last edited by Dana538; 28th March 2009 at 08:52 AM.