topic Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message in Alpha & NEX interchangeable lens cameras

Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

mprmax — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:13:11 GMT

I was wondering how many people have experienced the "camera error" message on the A65. I am currently on my third A65 after the previous 2 cameras developed this error. In both cases the camera developed the error after about 4,000 shots and would then pretty much continously fail in every mode except Hi-Speed Continous shooting. In all other modes the camera would seem to take an age to close the shutter and then display the "Camera Error" message and completely freeze up.

Removing the battery and waiting half an hour had no effect,

the instructions for a hard reset had no effect,

using a different memory card had no effect

upgrading the firmware had no effect

As I'm now on my third camera I have completely lost confidence in this camera, I'm also absolutely convinced it's an issue with the firmware as it makes no sense that the only mode that will reliably work is the high speed continous shooting mode. When the camera works I absolutely love it, but I'm so fed up with it that I already contemplating what to replace it with when the third camera fails (and I fully expect the third camera to fail as well in about a months time).

Surely Sony can do better than this! I would very much like to hear from Sony as to what this error means.

Mike

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

Mick2011 — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 19:18:30 GMT

Hi Mike, welcome to the Sony Forums

I was about to suggest you tried a new memory card but I see you've already been there... are you sure the ones you've tried are genuine branded cards? There are a lot of fakes about, especially among the less scrupulous online retailers, whic could potentially provoke an error message.

I have to say, it sounds unlikely this would be the issue if you're getting 4,000 trouble-free exposures. I've escalated this to the support team and hopefully they'll be able to shed some light.

Cheers

Mick

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

mprmax — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 13:01:18 GMT

Yep I've tried multiple cards all by different manufacturers and all are genuine top of the line. I'm not convinced it's anything to do with the memory card as the camera will happily snap in high speed mode using these cards; it just fails with a really annoying and completely useless "camera error" message in any other mode.

The fact that the camera wll happily snap in high speed mode but fail in all other modes also suggests that its software and not hardware. I did hear that you could get a "camera error" with certain Sigma lenses, but both lenses that were supplied had the compatible with alpha logo on the box.

As I've mentioned before this has happened with two Alpha A65's and I'm convinved that it will eventually happen with camera number 3 as well. The law of averages seems to suggest that either ther is a manufatcuring fault that has effected a whole batch of cameras (but if so where is the information from sony about this) or there is a fundamental error in the firmware for the camera. And yes I've upgraded to the latest version of the firmware and that did nothing.

Something is very very wrong in the world of Sony.

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

Sonylicious8 — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 16:19:51 GMT

SONY I need HELP (sorry but i think i posted on the wrong thread earlier)

one of my friends dropped my Sony a57 on the floor but luckily no external damages have been made neither to the lens or to the body. The camera seems to work fine but an error seems to continuously appear on screen at all times and the flash sometimes acts up and doesnt take right away!! I tried initializing- taking out battery, changing memory cards but nothing. What can I do??????

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

blaireau_photo — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:16:42 GMT

Hi Sonylicious8

If you take a look at the thread you have started about this problem, I have given some advice on there about what you can do.

http://www.sony.co.uk/discussions/message/794727#794727

Thanks,

Simon

Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

gimp69 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:55:00 GMT

Do you have a Sony lens to try?

You said that "I did hear that you could get a "camera error" with certain Sigma lenses, but both lenses that were supplied had the compatible with alpha logo on the box".

Have you only tried Sigma lenses on it? If so, then it's obvious where the problem is.

You have swapped everything except the Sigma lenses and regardless of the compatibility sticker, Sigma are notorious for giving problems.

Message was edited by: gimp69

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

Almsoo7 — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:25:42 GMT

I have a similar problem with the shutter also. This problem appeared after 8 months of usage, probably more than 2000 shots. The shutter hist keep opens and closes by itself as though there's some misalignment or gearing problem. I'm afraid I'm not covered under warranty as I bought the product within UK but reside in Asia.

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

makazo — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:03:58 GMT

I also have this problem.

-removing the battery and waiting had no effect,

- a hard reset had no effect,

- a different memory card had no effect

Only removing the lens worked for me.

What is the cause of all this?

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

Almsoo7 — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:11:52 GMT

Yea, when I removed the lens and tried to press the shutter button, the body was still able to detect absence of lens and there was't any problems. It seems that the body has problems aligning or configuring itself with the lens, or could it be a firmware issue? I'm not an expert in programming or mechanics but I suspect the continual opening and closing of the shutter seems to be due to an error in the logic mechanism which causes the system to go into an auto closed loop retry state. I'm heading down to the Sony Service Centre in a few hours time and will keep this thread updated.

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

mprmax — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:31:01 GMT

Hi Almsoo7, Did you have to remove the lens whilst the camera is still switched on or was this all done with the camera switched off? I'm only curious because when the first camera went back to the repair shop it cam back with no fault found and I'm wondering if the repair shop reseated the lens and hence didn't see the problem.

Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

makazo — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 09:40:27 GMT

In my case, after the error, I switched the camera off, removed the lens, then back, then on and everything works fine. Without removing the battery or the SD card... only removing the lens fixed the problem but until... next time.

Message was edited by: makazo

Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

makazo — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:59:27 GMT

This is what happens when taking a picture and camera error. Source - a german forum

Message was edited by: makazo

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

mprmax — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:03:47 GMT

Sorry I didn't understand your post. What is the picture showing and how does that relate to the camera error message.

Many thanks

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

makazo — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:36:54 GMT

After „camera error” if i remove the lens I see blades/curtain and normaly I should see the sensor!

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

Almsoo7 — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 00:05:29 GMT

Hi makazo, yea I had to remove the lens and put it back to solve the problem. But the problem comes back the next time I switched on the camera so I think it's the problem with the body and not due to poor alignment of the lens. I have since sent it for repair and now awaiting for an answer. Apparently, I was told that so far no one has encountered similar problems so the problem could probably be only within Europe. My camera body was made in Thailand. What about yours?

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

Almsoo7 — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 04:38:00 GMT

I just received word from the service centre. Apparently, they did not find any faulty mechanism with the body after performing tests on the shutters etc. It was also mentioned that the latest firmware v1.05 should not have this problem, thus maybe you guys might want to double check if your camera firmware has been updated to the latest one.

On the other hand, the person told me it might be my lens that may be causing the problem so I will have to bring down my lens another day for them to carry out the diagnostic tests. Will keep this thread updated a.s.a.p

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

makazo — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 05:36:09 GMT

My camera was made in Japan. Also the lens. The firmware was 1.04 but I made the update and since the first day is 1.05. This is funny... if there is no faulty mechanism why does this happens? I read on a german forum that people were having the same problem with new cameras, but the a55 model and the service changed the shutter to solve the problem.

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

mprmax — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 08:26:40 GMT

Whenever a service center suggest that you upgrade the firware it's just an admission that they don't know what the problem is (it's a bit like asking you to turn it off and on again). I'd already upgraded the firmware to 1.05 so I know that has no effect as I've had 2 cameras fail with the 1.05 firmware fail. The current camera which is in the repair centre is apparently being repaired and they've ordered a new part (don't know which part yet); but again I suspect this is like when you take a car into a repair shop and they start replacing parts without actualy knowing what's causing the fault.

Will keep eveyone informed of my progress, but I suspect camera number 3 will fail in a couple of months as well.

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

cmog12 — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 10:12:56 GMT

Any updates, any faults found, in same situation, sony have twice said no faults found! cheers Cat.

Re: Sony Alpha A65- "Camera Error" message

blaireau_photo — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:19:02 GMT

Hello cmog12 - Welcome to the Sony Forums

I have posted a reply in the other thread that you have contributed to - please take a look there as I have requested some further information (feel free to reply in either of these threads).

Thanks,

Simon