OT: Z1 Fault in OIS

farss wrote on 9/28/2005, 1:30 AM
It's possible for the Optical Image Stabiliser in the Z1 to become detatched. This isn't entirely obvious, camera continues to work, just that the OIS starts making the image LESS stable. Symptoms are as follows:
Switch the camera on with the lens protector open. Camera will take longer than usual to 'boot'. During the boot process you will hear a few 'tick, tick' sounds form the lens. Initial image will jump around dramatically.
You can also see the problem by sitting the camera on a flat surface and rocking it side to side slightly. The image will oscillate slightly before becoming stable again when you stop rocking.
As our local Sony agent knew what the problem was as soon as we mentioned it I suspect this isn't uncommon.
As we don't have a FX1 and these are handled by Sony's consummer division I don't know if this problem affects them as well or not.
Bob.

Comments

JJKizak wrote on 9/28/2005, 5:23 AM
Don't like to hear that kind of stuff.

JJK
Quryous wrote on 10/5/2005, 8:37 PM
If I remember correctly, this isn't the only camcorder Sony is having major problems with. I seem to remember that within the last week Sony offered to repair a whole line of "Consumer" units.
Spot|DSE wrote on 10/5/2005, 8:52 PM
Before this gets off track...
1. the Z1 problem isn't universal, it's limited to specific regions, and Sony is dealing with it in those regions. And yes, I've been told it's the FX as well.

2. The "whole line of consumer units" isn't a major problem at all. The problem is that the battery indicator isn't accurate after the battery hits the 3/4 drained mode. It will indicate less battery time than is actually available. Small software fix, done via the LANC connection, very fast and could be done at a dealer if the dealer had the LANC/software interface. Sony has known about the battery issue since the day it shipped, and the professional division in the US withheld delivery of the professional version of the cam so that they could update their software.
Serena wrote on 10/5/2005, 8:59 PM
I don't think farss's experience translates to "major problem with Z1s" . What it says is if you see this behaviour then it involves the OIS and it's a job for a Sony techo. One would hope that your local medico can recognise Small Pox without having seen a case, as we expect all experts to be quick on the uptake. Nevertheless even one case of Small Pox is a bit of a worry.
Serena wrote on 10/5/2005, 9:02 PM
Spot, how are Sony organising notifying those in the "regions affected"? Is there a web notification?
Serena
Spot|DSE wrote on 10/5/2005, 9:09 PM
That, I don't know. I was told that it's not common at all, but that it has happened. This was brought up in another forum about 3 weeks back, so I asked Sony's product manager about it. He told me there had been a "few" reported in outside of US markets.
That said, I don't know what they're specifically doing with/about/for the Z1, other than replacing/repairing them. I only know specifics about the battery issue because we had noticed it and commented on it in my pre-shipping review of the HC1e and the A1u.
If it was a situation like the JVC split screen problem, you can bet Sony would likely be notifying all registered owners. that's what they did early on with the PD cams when there was an audio issue. So, if they're not doing this with the image stabilizer, it's likely not "common" but is something that has been seen on occasion.
Serena wrote on 10/5/2005, 9:21 PM
Spot,
"Outside the USA" isn't a great comfort down this way! But Sony know I've got an FX and they do have a local site for product notifications. Sounds like it might be associated with a specific assembly line. Guess one should be able to turn off the OIS and continue to shoot.
Thanks for the info.
Serena
Coursedesign wrote on 10/5/2005, 9:28 PM
Sony would likely be notifying all registered owners. that's what they did early on with the PD cams when there was an audio issue.

Ummm, for the PD150, it took, what, two years of official denials that the problem even existed?

Meanwhile several small companies in the UK and Europe were making a good living selling warranty-invalidating audio fixes for many hundreds of dollars each. The remaining customers still had to pay for the factory center mods that Sony should have covered.

For the PD170, it only took a few months (and an uproar from the user community, with a threat to escalate massively if Sony didn't acknowledge and fix the problem quickly).

I absolutely love my Sony gear, but it's good to carry a big stick sometimes, even if it just looks like a pen.