F3: Need to Send my F3 in for a filter cleaning.

scocklin

scocklin

Well-known member
I know there is a thread on this somewhere on this form but I couldn't find it. I'm seeing dirt on my lens filters and need to have it cleaned. Anyone know where to send it, I assume Teaneck and what to expect from Sony. Thanks
 
I recently sent in my F35 for repair. I started here...
https://www.servicesplus.sel.sony.com/sony-repair.aspx
Put in your model number and hit the Depot Request button thing on the left of the page. It walked me through the rest.

I'm on the west coast so my camera went to their LA office instead of Teaneck, but I would assume that they work the same. They were good about communicating where things were at and such. Labor was $135 per hour. Parts are... parts.

Good luck!
 
Teaneck service depot is usually very good about handling drop offs. Whether they can do the job the same day is another matter. I think it is best to call the Sony service number and try to speak with someone at the depot. I am five minutes away, by the way, if you do bring the camera for service.

Ned Soltz
 
Hey Steve, I have taken some of my cameras to a place called Specialized Communications in Smithsburg, MD ( Near Hagerstown). They mainly deal with Panasonic products but the do repair some Sony stuff as well. I drove the camera there and had repairs done while I waited. They were very knowledgeable and professional. Give them a call at 800-359-1858.
 
nsoltz said:
Teaneck service depot is usually very good about handling drop offs. Whether they can do the job the same day is another matter. I think it is best to call the Sony service number and try to speak with someone at the depot. I am five minutes away, by the way, if you do bring the camera for service.

Ned Soltz
Click to expand...

Thanks Ned, I heard that the problem with the early F3's loose fitting filter housing letting in dust was corrected in later models. Does Sony have a fix for the earlier models?

Thanks
 
I just called Teaneck and the technical support person said they do not have any service bulletins concerning a replacement filter block for the F3, does anyone have any information on this problem?

Thanks
 
I was the one who started the rant. I would really push Sony to replace your optical block for FREE because it was acknowledged as a recognised fault! For a long time it turned me off movie making as I was recording these fantastic pictures and then watching it back on a large screen with these bits of dust and other material all over the place.

Then there's this F3-F5-F55 'guru' moron who surmised that it must have been user error. That just spun me.... Anyway, before I get worked up again, I would strongly advise pursuing it further.
 
Peter I don't want to raise your blood pressure anymore than it already is but could you tell us, what the optical block was going to cost if you were going to have to pay for it. Second question... do you recall where the dust was entering the optical block?

Thanks!
 
if Sony hasn't publicly declared it a "known fault" (and i'm going to go out on a limb and guess that they haven't), i wish you luck in having them cover the repairs. it's kind of a catch 22, if they covered the repairs, that would probably constitute an acknowledgement of a design or factory defect. and that's not usually how the game is played.
 
The cost of replacing the optical block would've been $7000. (I asked every question you won't find on a forum.) I had it done for FREE, by Sony in Sydney in their facilities. The fault was not officially announced by Sony. But they told me it was a recognised fault. The dust was present behind the optical port, on the ND filters and then on the sensor itself. I used a LitePanels Pro and a magnifying glass to check out the sensor and there it was in all its glory! A few months later the new F3 cameras included s-log and were all being made with a better optical block seal.

It sure is a game and the consumer is usually the loser. The F3 is my expensive hobby. Thank goodness I don't have to rely upon it to earn a wage.
 
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So far Sony's response has been remarkable. I have been dealing with the service manager at Teaneck and he blocked out some time this week to take the F3 into their clean room and open it up. The camera is on the way there. More later.
 
Glad you're having good results with Sony Teaneck. My experience with them has been very similar. Always helpful.

Ned
 
I got the estimate for cleaning optical path, ND filters and camera body. Full specification and functional check, which came to about what I expected, I gladly paid it right away because, of an added note "Note: Imager assembly part replacement covered by Sony." I should have the camera back by the first part of next week. What can I say about Sony Service in Teaneck, Great!
 
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