Sony DSC 717 Problem, please help

[Rossi]

Howdy,

My Sony 717 (about 2 1/2 years old) started behaving very weirdly
yesterday. A couple weeks ago it was working perfectly and I took
several photos, one of them in the link below:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/msrossi1/General/DSC02901.jpg

It has been stored in its protective pouch, no bangs, moisture, etc.
and yesterday the photos were really bad as the sample below.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/msrossi1/General/DSC00009.jpg

I tried several different settings, reseting the camera, etc. but
nothing worked. Interestingly, the images in the LCD display and the
viewfinder look perfect. Also, if I take mpeg movies it works fine.
So it seems the CCD is fine. I don't know what else to check.

Any advice of what else I could try would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

P.S. Could not make the links work automatically but if you cpoy and
paste the images will display.

[Mark M]

You say you're tried several different settings. Can you be a bit
more specific? Do you get the same problem at all resolutions,
in all modes (esp. manual) etc?

Have you tried a new battery?

"Rossi" <msro...@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1144095345.8...@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[Ozymandius]

Have you tried a different memory stick or perhaps cleaning the contacts on
the one you have??

"Rossi" <msro...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1144095345.8...@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[Rossi]

I tried all settings. Full auto, aperture and speed priority, full
manual and scenes. Forced overexposure and underexposure, night shot
and night framing with very few variation on the results. Battey is
fully charged.

With or without flash, samething.

Also went from lowest to highest res as well as TIFF format. No
difference.

Also tried a couple extra memory sticks. No difference.

After all failed I tried reseting the camera. Still the same results.
As a last resort I tried the movie mode. All three settings worked
fine.

Anything else I could try?

[Craig]

"Rossi" <msro...@gmail.com> wrote...

We see what you've tried. But what problem are you having?

[Craig]

"Craig" wrote...

Whoops--sorry. I missed your earlier posts and mistakenly thought this to be
the original. I've now read the thread and have seen your images. Boy, given
all that you've tried, I'd fear that a trip to the repair shop may be the
only option short of getting rid of the camera. Please report back with
whatever happens as I want to be prepared if my 717 fails this way.

Craig

[Rossi]

You better be ready. I've been doing some research in the web and
found several complaints about the 717 failing in the 2 1/2 and 3 years
old range. What pisses me off is that the camera does not even have a
scratch.

[Rossi]

Well... continued researching and found this...

http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1128958202.html

Anyone else also having this problem?

[Rossi]

And this....

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=hid_legalnotice

[Mark M]

"Rossi" <msro...@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1144135308.7...@t31g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> And this....
>
> http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start?CategoryName=hid_legalnotice

Wow, great find Rossi. Assuming this class action suit isn't dismissed
before June of this year, you'll be able to get your F717 fixed and Sony
will reimburse the repair expense, up to $171.00.

[Rossi]

I filed the form in Sony's website requesting the free repair. Not
planning to spend a dime to fix it. Even though I spent a small
fortune for that camera a couple years ago its current value does not
justify spending almost $200 to fix it. Better buying a new one,
from a different brand of course. Problem is trying to find out which
does not use a "cursed" Sony device. I'm so mad. I've been very
careful with that camera and it does not even have a scratch but Sony
planted a "timebomb" inside so no matter what I would do the camera was
doomed the moment it left the production line. >:-(

[Craig]

"Rossi" <msro...@gmail.com> wrote...

Hi again. As I look through the Sony advisories, it seems that your problem
may not be the heat/humidity/CCD issue that others are seeing. Your image

( http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/msrossi1/General/DSC00009.jpg )

of the faulty image file looks nothing like that shown by Sony and the
advisory states that the issue is seen in the camera's LCD and eyepiece
while you state that your only problem is with the image file itself, not
the viewfinder scene.

http://esupport.sony.com/perl/news-item.pl?news_id=118&mdl=DSCF717

Having paid as much as you for my F717, I understand your frustration, but I
fear that it's likely that you won't be covered by the "recall" and will
have to decide if it's worth paying for a repair or scrapping the camera.

Even though I don't accept everything Consumer Reports says, I do like the
results of their User Surveys--and from what I remember, Sony was/is the
highest rated digital camera source with regards to fewest repairs needed.
Good luck and keep us posted.

Craig

[lyne...@gmail.com]

it is the model problem, you should get the repair for free from Sony.
Friend of mind had the same situation as your camera but it is Nikon
brand. Nikon fixed it for free. I got sony 717 too. I just love it.

[siliond]

Hi Rossi,

I really feel for you. Interesting thing, I have the exact same
problem.

Did you find a solution?

Thank you,
Daniel

[talan]

It appears this is a very big issue. I have the same thing (if I
understand you correctly) in that the image looks overexposed and
shows as such in the viewfinder and when downloaded to the
computer.

Please see http://www.imaging-resource.com/badccds.html for
examples of problem in which the 3rd picture looks to be the same
problem as yours.

There was a lawsuit and settlement in which Sony is to repair (do we
like lawyers yet?).

Here is the suit with all the information.

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_ViewStatic-Start?page=%2fstatic/legalNotice/legalNotice#dates

I hope mine is the covered problem because a $200 repair is not worth
in on this camera.

Good Luck

Alan