Sony DSC H7 camera queries

[reubensm]

Hi all,

I have a Sony DSC H7 digital camera which has served me well over the years. Recently I noticed a fungal growth on the inside of the outer lens assembly. As it is on the inside of the lens, I am unable to clean it off. I have used this camera very carefully and packed it away in a moisture free and dust free environment. It is also in regular use.

Also recently I noticed that at times, the Flash give out a brighter flash (sometimes it looks orange in colour) which completely overexposes the frame. I've used the auto setting all along for taking photographs. Is the flash out of order?

Please suggest what I can do about this. I took the camera down to the Sony service centre and they demanded 7000 to change the entire lens assembly.

Wondering whether I should buy a new camera after all but would like to fix this and give it to my 7 year old son as he loves photography. Thanks in advance.

 

[theironhorse]

Hi all,

I have a Sony DSC H7 digital camera which has served me well over the years. Recently I noticed a fungal growth on the inside of the outer lens assembly. As it is on the inside of the lens, I am unable to clean it off. I have used this camera very carefully and packed it away in a moisture free and dust free environment. It is also in regular use.

Also recently I noticed that at times, the Flash give out a brighter flash (sometimes it looks orange in colour) which completely overexposes the frame. I've used the auto setting all along for taking photographs. Is the flash out of order?

Please suggest what I can do about this. I took the camera down to the Sony service centre and they demanded 7000 to change the entire lens assembly.

Wondering whether I should buy a new camera after all but would like to fix this and give it to my 7 year old son as he loves photography. Thanks in advance.

sometimes happens with the lens. i had some dust in my secondary bridge camera and any good camera shop will be able to service it happily costing around 500 bucks or so. the inside lens needs to be cleaned.


for the flash if its too bright. check for flash settings : reduce flash intensity ( +1 , +1/3 , 0 , -1/3 , -1) if available.

also check in flash options if slow sync option is available. this one fires the flash in a laid back manner after the shutter gets open. which makes the background clear as well the front is not overexposed. check for the xenon filament which also can be replaced if gone bad or not functioning properly.

last but not least. check for firmware update or re-flash the same firmware.

lens can be cleaned. Not aware of shops in your area but most of the big shops do service camera's from vintage gear to top of line dslr's.


looks like known issue. DIY try it if you finally plan to ditch the cam. might work out.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3220288

http://www.flickr.com/help/forum/en-us/72157630060281885/


here is the service manual if you wanna DIY or the shop folks needs any pointers.


http://xfirmware.com/pdf/photo1/SONY/SONY_DSC-H7_H9/- SONY DSC-H7.H9 s.m..pdf

 

[reubensm]

superb, what a lovely reply, let me try out what you've mentioned with the settings, shall look out for a good service centre for the lens cleaning part.

 

[theironhorse]

superb, what a lovely reply, let me try out what you've mentioned with the settings, shall look out for a good service centre for the lens cleaning part.

also to note that the zoom barrel and the lens will have multi elements/lenses.
most of them are permanetly fixed within a plastc housing. if the fungus is on the top side of the inside element its can be easily cleaned.

give it a shot.A few hundred bucks might save it.


from various sources :

" Removing Lens Fungus

If your camera happens to get infected with fungus, you need to act quickly because some fungi secrete acid that will eat away at your lens protective coating; the fungi may even etch the glass and ruin the lens. Luckily for us, this type of fungus is rare. There are few mixtures you can make to clear away fungus. A hydrogen peroxide blend with ammonia is a good method, as is a vinegar and water solution to remedy the fungus problem."

 

[Saket]

I have read that the same issue can bother projectors too. Fungi can grow in the projector lens too. How easy or tough it is to clean a projector lens as compared to a camera lens; Would appreciate your thoughts on it.

 

[theironhorse]

I have read that the same issue can bother projectors too. Fungi can grow in the projector lens too. How easy or tough it is to clean a projector lens as compared to a camera lens; Would appreciate your thoughts on it.

the items used for camera lens cleaning can be used for the PJ as well. leans cleaning liquid and soft camel brush and air blower( not the canned air ).

Fungus is formed due to dust and moisture. the PJ lamp runs pretty hot and i doubt it will let any moisture stay for long.also there is constant fan running for proper air flow. just in rainy season make sure the environment/room is not under heavy moisture. also clean the PJ filters every 200-300 hours to maintain proper air-flow. for outer element cleaning.

lens cleaner and a microfibre cloth / chamios leather will do the job.

 

[Saket]

Thank you ironhorse for your reply. Is cleaning the projector lens, esp. LED projectors are any easier than than camera lens or vice versa?

 

[theironhorse]

Thank you ironhorse for your reply. Is cleaning the projector lens, esp. LED projectors are any easier than than camera lens or vice versa?

just like the camera (p&s) the PJ also allows us only to clean the outer element/glass to clean. follow the same procedure like camera glass.

moist microfibre cloth (lens cleaning fluid ) and with very light hand rub in circular motion until no more of moisture/liquid is left on the glass. using any other substances can damange the UV coating and that will be an expensive affair.

 

[greenhorn]

reuben, if your cam is out of warranty, you might want to try camera scan at pulimood. They're competent, but not sure about their rates. I have a friend who went the DIY route for this . Will check with him about the options in tvm .

PS more details on what he did: The DSLR Thread - Page 115 - Team-BHP

 

[reubensm]

brilliant, thanks guys, that's a lot of info

let me check camera scan at pulimood