red dot appears in pic

[Tim Walton]

I too have a Red or purple blemish appearing on my EX-3. I have only seen this type of blemish when a monitor needs to be degaussed. It just popped up and I do not why. The camera was performing perfectly in all modes. I suspect CCD sensor failure. Anyone else had this problem, I can not find any reference online and of course it’s a weekend. Does anyone have a Sony Repair after hours number? (they used to to that)
Thanks in advance
Tim

[Jeremy Loftus-hills]

Hi Tim

I just got my camera back from the repair shop. The red dot was caused by the failure of the CMOS sensor. Sometimes this can be corrected with software, but in my case the breakdown was too severe for that. So I had to have the sensor replaced with a new one and, since they no longer supply the original sensor I had to have a new ND unit installed as well. Altogether it cost $900 Australian. I traced the problem back to a point in time about one month after the warranty expired! At first it was not perceptible except under some conditions – usually against low light white. It changed quite dramatically after one day’s work in the country.

I recommend people have a detailed look at their picture a week or two before warranty expires, and have any slight blip in color lodged with Sony just in case it flares up in the future. The sensors are not made by Sony, and at $470 Australian are cheaper than I expected. So maybe they don’t have a very long life? My EX1 had done about 500 hours.

Jeremy

[Tim Walton]

Thanks Jeromy, I got the camera back in November so I think or hope I’m OK with the warranty. I’m pretty sure it’s the same thing. How long did it take for them to repair it? I hope the software route is possible, I will just have to wait and see. Thanks for the response, I appreciate it.

Cheers

[Tim Walton]

Update on “red dot” or purple blob on sensor. Sony has the camera and say’s its the prism and are replacing the block and doing a firmware update. I will be speaking to the tech later to determine how often this has occurred (in other cameras). The camera is under warranty and so far they have made good on that aspect. They gave it priority due to the warranty and have been pretty quick. I will advise what they say about this problem. I did see the spot, very faintly in some older footage that I missed, so I recommend checking your clips for blemishes as a rule. That’s all I know for now.
Tim Walton

[John Lawlor]

Hi Tim

I know this is an old post, but recently I have had the exact same problem as you with my EX1. (see picture)

I read that the problem was suspected to be the prism block, and that the unit is supposedly sealed and costs an unbelievable amount to replace. Can you let me know if you got your problem fixed and how much it cost (i know you spoke of warranty, but an idea of how much it cost as mine is out of warranty)

Thanks in advance

John

[Jeremy Loftus-hills]

Hi John

There are two fixes possible. One is a pixel remap which is pretty cheap, software driven, not a user repair though. But mine was too severe for that so I copped a $950 repair bill. The technician had to replace the sensor and the ND filters. Judging by your pic I’d say you may be in for the megabuck fix, it looks a lot like mine. Looking back I wonder if my camera got too hot in the field one summer’s day.

[John Lawlor]

Hi Jeremy

I suspect that it will be a replacement of the sensor alright as the camera was already in for cosmetic repairs as it had a fall a few weeks back, which is probably what caused the sensor block to let in dust or dirt (the fall must have broken the factory sealed unit). Plus the spots seem to have shifted which would lead me to believe that it’s dust or dirt.

I’m just wondering if I’m better off writing the camera off now and getting a newer model, with less hours on it, instead of forking out even more money (the initial cosmetic charges were £900 (1400$) to have some plastic panels replaced and have the back focusing re-alligned) so another charge like this will be half of the cost of a brand new camera.

Do you know if there is any way of simply cleaning the sensor instead of having to repair the whole thing?

Thanks for your advice.

John

[Tim Walton]

Hey John, Yes it is a old post, but Sony fixed the camera under warranty and I do not remember any other costs, except shipping. They did expedite it and turned it around quickly. I, (knock on wood) have not had any problems since, almost 2 years now. I sent mine to the L.A. service center. I have to think they have seen this more than they say. I have noticed a similar spot or group of purple blemishes on cameras being used in pro sports, usually in high contrast scenes. This appears as lens flare from stadium lights or sunlight, and looks a lot like tube ” burn in” but purple and very much like the “spot” in the ex1 and 3. The cameras I have seen this in are handheld and I suspect they might indeed be EX3’s. I have seen them used with CODFM transmitters on the field. I hope you can get Sony to go at least half way on your repair, good luck.
Tim

[Charlie Kinross]

Hi , I’ve just created a 30 second video of the purple spot in every frame my EX3 now shoots.

Sony are not taking responsibility at this time for this failure inside their sealed sensor unit.

CVP / Mitcorp, who I bought the camera from 4 months ago, are blaming me for “filming lasers”

I don’t film lasers.

They want $2500 ( £1700 inc taxes ) to fix it

Here’s a link to show the problem I’m suffering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI5zmuonV9E&feature=plcp&context=C3b76d3bUDOEgsToPDskIcWy5mtf-eKo51IRAOMDfo

This sounds like a growing problem, and one Sony should be offering to fix for free, as there is no way to clear the dust out of their “sealed” sensor unit. If it is “sealed” then the dust got in there during the manufacture of the unit ……

Any help please let me know: charlie@fliptopfilms.com

[Charlie Kinross]

Hi , I’ve just created a 30 second video of the purple spot in every frame my EX3 now shoots.

Sony are not taking responsibility at this time for this failure inside their sealed sensor unit.

CVP / Mitcorp in the UK, who I bought the camera from 4 months ago, are blaming me for “filming lasers”

I don’t film lasers.

They want $2500 ( £1700 inc taxes ) to fix it

Here’s a youtube link to show the problem I’m suffering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI5zmuonV9E&feature=plcp&context=C3b76d3bUDOEgsToPDskIcWy5mtf-eKo51IRAOMDfo

This sounds like a growing problem, and one Sony should be offering to fix for free, as there is no way to clear the dust out of their “sealed” sensor unit. If it is “sealed” then the dust got in there during the manufacture of the unit ……

Any help please let me know: charlie@fliptopfilms.com