This is not meant to cause a meltdown, simply a head's up. But I've just sent our 3rd (out of about 40 copies) A7R in for a sensor scratch. Remember - rental lenses, heavily used, might be some people using adapter / lens combinations that put lenses too close to the sensor, etc. So I don't expect a personal camera at this high of a risk.
But in all 3 cases the renter claims to have extensive experience with wet cleaning and volunteered that they cleaned the sensor because it got dusty. On the counter argument, our techs have done over 100 cleanings without an issue so far.
May be random event (things happen in the rental world), maybe the glass is a bit softer, maybe being up so close people put a bit more pressure on the brush than they would otherwise. I don't know, but I thought it worth a head's up. This last one looks like the sensor got cleaned by sandblasting
Addenedum - because I know someone will want to know. We haven't had an A7 sensor scratch, and have just as many and nearly the same rental rate. But A7s do seem to go out with native mount lenses, and A7Rs with adapters, so maybe more lens changes with the Rs.
I'll let you know when I find out the cost. I'm hoping it's not Nikonish (last D800e sensor replacement was $1,300). In general Sony is more reasonable on camera repairs (although less reasonable on lens repairs).
If it's awfully high I may see if MaxMax wants to experiment with cover glass thickness, which I've been most interested in doing anyway.
I think the spit wad description is accurate - customer said he sneezed on the sensor and then tried to clean it, stopped when he saw it wasn't going well. . . .
And Fred, I'm with you on the Dust Aid. That's our go to. Although I don't think anything but a wet cleaning is going to get dried up sneeze off.
Ouch! With a built in dust cleaning, I would not think frequent cleanings would be necessary. I did have one large dust spec easily cleaned off with a Rocket blower and that is all I have done so far. Will be VERY careful if I have to do more in the future! Thx for the head up!
On the flip side, if you do experiment with sensor glass covers, would love to know the result!
I've recently read posts where people have recommended using adhesive tape to pull dust off the sensor - perhaps the person in the example above was stupid enough to try this?
RCicala wrote:
This is not meant to cause a meltdown, simply a head's up. But I've just sent our 3rd (out of about 40 copies) A7R in for a sensor scratch. ...
Addenedum - because I know someone will want to know. We haven't had an A7 sensor scratch, and have just as many and nearly the same rental rate. But A7s do seem to go out with native mount lenses, and A7Rs with adapters, so maybe more lens changes with the Rs.
Thanks for the heads up. FWIW, I am so far finding sensor on my A7R very easy to clean spotless. On the other hand my A7 came from factory with hairline scratch on sensor. Granted in spot that was making it very hard to see and even when you knew where it was light had to be just under the right angle but scratch none the less.
BAD!