Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?

Subject: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 02:13 PM

I am not a photographer, but last year, I was given a pocket sized Sony CyberShot, DSC-w100, and I've used it to good effect--at least until I turned it on one day to find the screen showed nothing but unmoving, colored, wavy bands.

I sent the unit in for repair, since it was still under the warranty, and I got a reply to the effect that the LCD had ruptured, which was not covered under the warranty.

They wanted to charge me slightly less than the camera had cost a year ago, and more than a rebuilt unit would cost(the warranty says that, at their discretion, they can give me a new or rebuilt unit rather than repair the original unit).

Does anyone know anything about this problem, its cause, how, or if it can be repaired, and how one might go about getting Sony to honor the warranty?

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: John J
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 06:20 PM

I don't know a huge amount about colour LCDs but it sounds like the display may have suffered some sort of mechanical shock (bang). It may be worth looking around Ebay to see if it's possible to buy a new display. The problem you may have then is that the display, along with the rest of the electronics will be Surface Mount - these are probably impossible to repair without the correct equipment.

Alternatively a google may find a third-party repair outfit who can do the job cheaper than Sony.

With regard to the warranty, I think it's a little mean of them - the display is probably one of the more expensive components to replace.

Good luck - and perhaps think twice about buying Sony next time. Your experience has certainly put me off their otherwise excellent kit.

John

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: M.Ted
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 07:47 PM

I don't think the damage came from an impact, because the unit was in a padded camera case, which was then inside a larger camera bag.

I have instructions for replacing the LCD on similar non-sony camera, it seems relatively easy, but Sony repair price lists show it as a major repair(and expensive). I've looked for the LCD, first as a spare part, which turned out to be relatively costly, compared to the value of the camera, and then for a junk camera to cannibalize, the problem being, how to know if the LCD is OK.

I can buy at better Sony camera for the cost of parts and labor.

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Feb 08 - 11:03 PM

I've had good luck ordering camera parts from the guys at The Foto Geeks. They have items down to the smallest panel or clip, or they will fix cameras if you send them, if that's your preference.

You can probably find a schematic for the camera if you poke around online and order the part. It really isn't that difficult, everything like this seems to be replaceable components, and if it doesn't work, well, you're still out a camera. If it does, you're set.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: GUEST,fogie
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 05:56 AM

I have a similar problem with the read-out of voices and rhythms on a keyboard I play - just a green glow - I have to guess where I am in the list - a right pain

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: pavane
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 07:12 AM

I agree about avoiding SONY. They refused to honour the warranty on my laptop. AND wanted a large sum of money to return it to me unrepaired. I ended up fixing it myself.

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: M.Ted
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 09:51 AM

I am going to contact the State's Attorney's Consumer Protection Office--I turns out that, regardless of the Sony Warranty, there is an "Implied Warranty", to the effect that you are entitled to expect a product will remain in working order for a reasonable amount of time--

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 02:03 PM

I would keep this is mind for my further purchases, Sony should know they are giving themselves bad publicity if they won't honor their warantee, or back up their equipment.

I am a Nikon user, but for my next camera, which would be digital, I will probably get a Canon- they have given me EXCELLLENT technical support on photo questions, and are known to be very solicitous of their clients. I would recommend you look into a Canon for your next camera.

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 02:09 PM

I have a Sigma lens which fits my Canon camera. About a month before the warranty was due to expire the manual focus jammed. Sigma fixed it with no quibbles whatsoever and at no charge.

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From:
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 04:09 PM

I had the same problem with a Kodak two years ago. Good camera, and still takes pictures, but not viewable on the onboard LCD. Decided it was cheaper to buy a new one. Did!

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 04:54 PM

You buy a new one

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: GUEST,Auldtimer
Date: 20 Feb 08 - 05:45 PM

Digital cameras are geting to be more reliable and sturdly built. BUT they are still delicate and complex bit of kit. Forget the adverts, around Christmas, for the Olympus camera, with the young lad playing fetch the camera with his dog. Most cameras won't survive being droped or any rough treatment, the LCD being the most exposed area. Check if you can claim your insurance and take extra care of your next camera.

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: GUEST,Edthefolkie
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 12:00 PM

I hate to say it, but might save a whole lot of grief if you just buy a new camera.

Last year we spent quite a lot of a week's holiday going round Portuguese markets trying to find a watchmaker's screwdriver, because the sliding thingy which covered the lens of a friend's wife's digital compact had come off its tracks. It was a waste of time of course - even with the screwdriver we could see that the tracks were just plastic and kn*ckered.

Gone are the days when you could drop a Nikon F off the bridge of a ferry onto the deck and still use it for the next 25 years (yes folks, same friend as above). Around the same time I tripped up with a 20 yr old Pentax S1a round my neck, the camera hit a brick wall and carried on working! Still got it somewhere but the pentaprism has a huge dent in the top.

Anyway, why do hardly any camera manufacturers make cameras with OPTICAL viewfinders any more? The Canon Ixus has one, but there aren't many others. I HATE holding the damn thing out at arms length, looks so unprofessional and leads to camera shake.

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 12:50 PM

Canon EOS 30D. A great camera!

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: M.Ted
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 02:23 PM

I think that it is unfortunate that the solution for most problems with digital/microprocessor-based devices, no matter what their cost, is to toss them and buy new one.

My camera, which was a new top of the line unit a year ago is now discontinued. SRS's EOS-30D, which looks like a great camera(but too big to carry around all the time), seems to have been replaced by a new one-which, by next year, will probably be replaced by a new one again. So everything is really disposable--

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Feb 08 - 06:31 PM

It is large, but it is also wonderful. I am hoping that they go down in price enough before they all go away that I can get one for myself. This is the work camera and I am limited in where I can take it.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 05:36 PM

I've got a Canon 400D and I love it!

I note that the Canon 450D will be in UK shops next month. I want one!!!





But I probably don't need one ... (whimper!).

Subject: RE: Tech: Camera LCD Gone Bad--What to do?
From: GUEST,Qtwf
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 06:59 PM

Hiya,

Kind of drifting off topic, but just for LeftHandedGuitar - before switching away from Nikon, remember that all Nikon lenses will fit a DSLR. You'll lose metering with older lenses, but then you've got an instant exposure check on the back! I have a gorgeous 135mm lens that's exactly my age (within four months anyway) that I got from E-Bay for twelve pounds!

So if you've got even a couple of lenses it may be worth sticking with Nikon. And I love my D50 almost as much as I loved my F!

Cheers,

QTWF