Live view, Sony A77. Self repair preferred

[GrahamH]

I know I am hard on cameras, or perhaps I am unlucky, whatever the cause - help requested.

Live view on my Sony A77 stopped working (during street parade). It hasn't received any knocks or bangs (very careful about that) but lots of folding in and folding out to get the right view point ever since I got it.

Initially I noticed there was no image (fine on the EVF through the eyepiece). When I moved the live view panel to just the right position, I was able to get an image again, but very finicky as to position. After a few attempts to get THAT position, it flaked completely. Now n image.

Returning it to customer service/repair is not the easiest option. Originally bought in Toronto (with service centre just along the road, that was great), now in Grand Cayman so slow postal service and high packaging costs.

So I would rather try to repair myself if possible. Any ideas, suggestions, links and so on.
Fairly handy, but no electronics wiz by any means.

Thanks in advance
Graham

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Graham,

I might be regarded by some as an electronics wiz, but I would not expect to succeed at repairing such a fault as the parts used are liable to be very small and specialist in nature, 'repairing' may not be possible without actually replacing a part, which may not be obtainable.

Of course, the attempt could make things worse - if the LCD still works for review of shot images, that may stop too.

I'm afraid I'd recommend sending it back.

I assume it is out of warranty?

[JPS]

Hi Graham,
I must agree with Dave on this one, I wouldn't suggest a home repair.

[William W]

If the camera allows Tethering in Live View; then a simple solution might be to buy a Small Monitor, tether it and swivel mount it on the hot-shoe: you'll have no electronics with which to fiddle.

Obviously check out that the Tether Feed is operative, before spending any money.

WW

[kaneohebud]

Graham:
Do yourself a favor, wrap it up nicely and send it in to Sony. It will be cheaper in the long run.

[Mike Buckley]

It took me years to build up the courage to clean my own sensor and you want to repair this on your own?

[GrahamH]

Oh bugger!

Thanks all.
Could mean 5 weeks or more without camera.
Graham

[Dave Humphries]

Yes, you are a bit isolated there (I just looked up Grand Cayman)

[pnodrog]

To a certain extent your best approach may depend on whether it's guarantee period is over. The fact that it was position dependant for a short time indicates it is a connector problem, a wire/PCB fracture or a solder joint failure. If it were mine and not under gaurantee I would very caustiously see if I could diassemble it to the point of being able to waggle/prod/flex the LCD connector etc. However I have an electronics background and also have an antistatic work station.

A 5 week enforce abstinence from photography may be preferable to having to replace it.