FS7: Needs Filter wheel repaired or replaced

chrislockerman

chrislockerman

Active member
Hello All,
My workhorse FS7 has developed filter wheel issues. It no longer reads the appropriate filter that rotates in front of the sensor. i.e. the camera reads 1/64 but it is actually a 1/16 or 1/4 or clear. Has anyone had this issue? Has anyone sent it out to be repaired? And does anyone have any recommendations on a solid, reputable place to send the camera for repair (it is no longer under warranty) and maybe a good cleaning? Thanks for the knowledge!
Cheers,
Chris
 
chrislockerman said:
Hello All,
My workhorse FS7 has developed filter wheel issues. It no longer reads the appropriate filter that rotates in front of the sensor. i.e. the camera reads 1/64 but it is actually a 1/16 or 1/4 or clear. Has anyone had this issue? Has anyone sent it out to be repaired? And does anyone have any recommendations on a solid, reputable place to send the camera for repair (it is no longer under warranty) and maybe a good cleaning? Thanks for the knowledge!
Cheers,
Chris
Click to expand...


If you are located in the U.S., I have what I think may be just the place for you. I had my fs7 repaired by Video One Repair and their service was excellent. I shipped the camera to them on a Tuesday, they received it late on Wednesday, they performed replacement of the protective element on the sensor, cleaned and inspected the ND filters, and had it shipping back me on Friday. Ask for "Sherman". They pay the return shipping cost, unless you want it return-shipped overnight, as I did due to my need to get the camera back for a paying gig.

https://www.videoonerepair.com/sony-camcorder-repair/
 
If you send it into Sony (North NJ) they charge $135 for diagnostic fee and then that goes towards the repair. In my experience repairs usally take about 2 weeks including diagnostic.
 
At Video One the estimate is free. They warranty the entire camera for 6 months following their servicing. The entire camera- not just the part of the camera that they serviced. I was able to call and speak directly to the Repair Technician assigned to my camera repair. I was able to get an explanation of the damage to my camera and the necessary repair directly from the individual performing the repair. I only dealt with that one employee and he handled everything- the repair estimate, the repair, the payment, and the return shipping need. No being handed off to different people during the process. Each time I called them I was able to speak directly to the person performing my repair and all aspects of the process.

The cost for having the CMOS protective glass replaced and ND wheel inspected / cleaned was $600.

I have not had any experience with Sony repair centers. But I do know that it took phone calls to 3 different Sony Parts employees and several e-mails over a couple of days just to find out the part number for a replacement part for my VF. And then another month to get the replacement part in my hands.
 
I've had similar issues with Sony's, the default response was always to replace the sensor block for thousands of dollars.

I'd try JPNola's route based on my experiences with Sony. BTW, looks like VideoOne is some dude running a business out of his house if you GoogleMaps the address. No wonder JP always got directly through to his repair tech. (Although, maybe it's bigger, shouldn't matter as long as they do good work).
 
That's how service should be(JP's experience). Although I will say Sony was excellent when I had the ProRes/DNx card installed in my F55. If I recall, I shipped it on a Friday, and had it back that Tuesday morning. But dealing with large companies for general repairs is usually the epitome of stupid and rage inducing. I shipped two Astra's back to Vitec for repair with one still under warranty and they tried to bill me for both. It literally took weeks to get them to understand that one was a warranty repair. They were gone over a month. And I just had to have my Zacuto Graticule that I use on my C300 repaired(one of my guys broke the BNC). Same thing, it took over a month.
 
Agreed, big business repair departments are tough to deal with sometimes. I think I will give VideoOne a shot. I will certainly relate my experience here. Thanks for all the discussion and advice. On a different note (but since we are kind of discussing big business and sending gear in for repairs), Dimitri and the guys at Miller (Tripods) US are the opposite of that big business experience. Always loved their tripods, but now I'll always buy from them. They really helped me out in a pinch and sent me a new clamp down assembly at a discounted rate with expedited shipping. Got to me just in time for an important day. Can't say enough good things about them.
 
Only just spotted this post. Check out the following where another operator had the same problem:

"Thanks for all the responses and advice…
I managed to find the correct Allen Key… Metric 0.9, have realigned the correct VF info with the correct ND filter.. removed the grub screws, reattached and tightened as much as possible with a drop of thread lok in with them…
fingers crossed thats a fix for a while… Have order a few of the Hex keys and will carry at all times.. along with a couple of Variable Faders to solve any problems that may occur!"

Chris Young
 
chrislockerman said:
Hello All,
My workhorse FS7 has developed filter wheel issues. It no longer reads the appropriate filter that rotates in front of the sensor. i.e. the camera reads 1/64 but it is actually a 1/16 or 1/4 or clear. Has anyone had this issue? Has anyone sent it out to be repaired? And does anyone have any recommendations on a solid, reputable place to send the camera for repair (it is no longer under warranty) and maybe a good cleaning? Thanks for the knowledge!
Cheers,
Chris
Click to expand...

I have the same fear. My wheel is somewhat flimsy and I'm afraid it will fail. Fortunately for me I'm in Atlanta and close to Backporch Broadcast in Buford, GA. Easily Googled. They are kings at repair and fast turn around. Authorized Sony repair and dealer as well as Panasonic. Can't recommend them enough.
 
I had a FS7 for testing from a seller. I discovered the ND filter was not working. After returning he let me know there were 2 screws lose and the camcorder is in a repar centre. Could that broken nd filter has caused that my test footage inside was too dark? (used 18-200mm F3.5 lens) It was about 2 times darker than my DVX200. turning on the nd weel it was playing nd clear, nd16,32 and 64 but nothing happened.
 
If the ND was stuck in front of the sensor (rather than the clear element stuck), then yes, that could have been causing the footage to be darker.
 
drboffa said:
If the ND was stuck in front of the sensor (rather than the clear element stuck), then yes, that could have been causing the footage to be darker.
Click to expand...

While testing I removed the lens and rotated the nd filter but I saw no filter "flipping" in front of the lens. But I didn't pay attention if a nd filter was already stuck in front of it. Not sure if you can see that so clearly. thx for the anwser
 
He has mentioned that two allen keys may remedy the problem while everyone else is on about $700 services that may take a month.

worth investigating.
 
Yes very often checking that the two Allen screws haven't come loose is well worth it as in most cases that is what has happened, The screws have come loose and the knob spins on the shaft. It's quite well known that this was a problem with early Mk I FS7s. Haven't heard it happening with Mk II models. Need to work out which filter is in front of the sensor then totally loosen the two screws and then align the appropriate knob marking to match the filter that's in the sensor position and then tighten the two screws. The Allen screws are 0.9mm diameter.

The screw part number is in Section 5-2 of the workshop manual and is:

Item #316 and part number 4-558-676-01 HEXAGON SOCKET SET SCREW M2.

I can't recall what I paid for my Allen keys but it was something like $1 for a packet of 10 off eBay. Way cheaper than Sony service :)

Chris Young

Filter wheel assy.jpg
 
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