p.1 #1 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Hey all
Was travelling in Oregon and California over the last few weeks. While shooting seascapes in Bandon, I got a tiny splash of water on the LCD of my A7R. The screen instantly went black, then white. I turned the camera off and left it without battery for 24-hours. When I turned it back on the screen was still all white. I can make out the information such as shutter speed etc but the screen is mostly unusable. The estimated cost to repair from Sony Canada is $772!
I know that there have been posts about the fact that these cameras are not weather sealed, but I thought that I'd post about my issue to warn others to use extra caution. This was just the slightest of drops that had this affect. (My Canon 5D 3 has seen much worse conditions and keeps working)
p.1 #2 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Saltwater fries everything...too bad about the camera. If your description is accurate, I would highly doubt any claims of weather tightness. My A mount cameras have the same description and I have taken them into all kinds of conditions with no problems.
p.1 #3 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
The repair costs for the sony seem to be extremely modular. My shutter release button broke, required replacing the entire top plate at around $400. Now this. A screen does not cost close to that! Might be worth finding out if it's cheaper at an independent repair place? Do you have insurance?
p.1 #4 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Beni wrote:
The repair costs for the sony seem to be extremely modular. My shutter release button broke, required replacing the entire top plate at around $400. Now this. A screen does not cost close to that! Might be worth finding out if it's cheaper at an independent repair place? Do you have insurance?
It seems ridiculously expensive if it's just the LCD screen.
p.1 #5 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Weird that a "tiny splash" just on the screen would be enough for that saltwater to penetrate through the LCD and into the electronics and fry the screen. Are you sure that it wasn't a much larger amount of water that got down into the buttons, etc.? Also, was it enough water for them to know it was water damage? I'm not saying you should be dishonest about it, but I had a problem with a phone one time and the little "water damage" sticker thing was pink (my phone was never exposed to water, but I'm guessing sweat, humidity, etc. turned the sticker over time. Originally, they quoted me like $50 to fix the phone. Once they opened it and saw that sticker, the same repair was over $200. Because "water damage."
I would guess that because it's "water damage" Sony is replacing far more than just the LCD on this. They're most likely going to charge you for a control board (motherboard) replacement along with an LCD, at the very least. Salt water is highly corrosive and will do long-term damage to electronics so Sony is most likely just replacing everything.
It's still pretty pricey, but considering it's most likely more than just a screen replacement, it's not surprising. Water damage is always expensive to repair.
p.1 #6 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Posts like this keep me from going with the A7. I like to shoot waterfalls here in the PNW and would be concerned about this happening to me and then be stuck with a brick.
Though I am currently only shooting with a Canon EOS M, last fall the thing got pretty wet in a fall rain storm and is still kicking.
I know rain is different than salt water but still I have read other stories about the poor weather sealing of these cameras (even humidity getting through and causing damage).
p.1 #7 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
I suspect like many users I've used the a7r in light rain many times and not experienced water damage. How much is a tiny splash?
The LCD screen itself doesn't appear to have gaps for water to get into. Did water really get into the screen or rather into the interior of the body through the screen hinge or buttons?
A more precise description would be helpful to other users.
p.1 #8 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
'Posts like this keep me from going with the A7.'
Harold, sad to say, that is very often exactly their intention, the phenomenon is nothing new for long term Sony users; but it is also true than many readers need little prompting in developing a response that is identical to yours!
Roger Cicala puts it well:
"Oh, heck, even if Sony does make a claim for weather resistance I'm not taking mine out in the rain. My faith in weather resistance will reappear right after the Abominable Snowman rides in on his Unicorn and brings me a guarantee in writing from the manufacturer that a camera is weather sealed. You want to know how many 'weather sealed' cameras and lenses we write off for water damage every year?"
Do note that last sentence - I am pretty sure (at the 95% confidence level) he is not limiting his remarks to Sony cameras.
Interested parties might want to read that review, BTW - the Sony comes out rather well regarding build quality, engineering and design. Little wonder they can sell them profitably for $900 less than the only other camera on the market fitted with the sensor.
p.1 #9 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Thanks for all of your responses. Note that my intent of the post was to warn people to be careful with the A7R around water not to talk them out of buying Sony. The drop of water would be comparable to the size of a dime divided into 4. It hit at the lower corner or the screen and likely ran back to the body.
I am dealing with Sony on the issue and will report back to you when I have closure.
p.1 #10 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Harold Carlson wrote:
Posts like this keep me from going with the A7. I like to shoot waterfalls here in the PNW and would be concerned about this happening to me and then be stuck with a brick.
Though I am currently only shooting with a Canon EOS M, last fall the thing got pretty wet in a fall rain storm and is still kicking.
I know rain is different than salt water but still I have read other stories about the poor weather sealing of these cameras (even humidity getting through and causing damage).
Shooting waterfalls in the Gorge one morning caused my 5D2 to shutdown from mist on the camera. It was just mist from the waterfalls...not any rain or anything like that. I've learned to take a water hood with me to protect my gear.
p.1 #11 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Hmmm ive had my A7r completely soaked by salt water mist from wave breaks and wind. Ive been hit by a wave and have had large portions of the lcd and body by covered in salt water to the point that i had to rinse my back lcd with fresh water to remove the salt residue visible on it.
To this day i have had zero issues with it having any sort of chronic or sporadic issues, mechanical, electrical, or otherwise
p.1 #12 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
I had a similar problem with an A7. I wiped it down with a wet washcloth after shooting at the beach, just as I've done with an EM5, EM1, GH4 and 5d2. The LCD ceased to work (EVF continued to work). Sony replaced the LCD and main board under warranty (I'd bought at a local Sony Store and purchased their ADH warranty as it didn't look very robust to me but it was fixed under the standard warranty).
I've since bought an A7s and will be sticking with Sony mirror less FF for now, but am tempted to buy direct and get their extended warranties.
p.1 #13 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
darrellc wrote:
I had a similar problem with an A7. I wiped it down with a wet washcloth after shooting at the beach.
Slightly off topic, but how dirty was the camera for it needing to be wiped down with a wet wash cloth?
I just got back from a trip to Hawaii, and wiped down my cameras with a dry, clean micro fiber towel as I did not see (under close inspection) any residue/dirt on my cameras.
p.1 #14 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
Desmolicious wrote:
Slightly off topic, but how dirty was the camera for it needing to be wiped down with a wet wash cloth?
I just got back from a trip to Hawaii, and wiped down my cameras with a dry, clean micro fiber towel as I did not see (under close inspection) any residue/dirt on my cameras.
I'm guessing Darrell is going to tell you something along the lines of my advice : if you shoot at the beach you should be wiping your camera down anyway ! There is salt in the air and droplets, far smaller than you can see, landing on your gear. You don't want to let that ingress your camera or lenses.
p.1 #15 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
I've posted this before, but the A7 series cameras have never been weather-proof, even though many "reveiwers" have posted otherwise. Sony never have listed any of the A7 series (including the new A7II) as being "weather-proof" or "dust-moisture resistant" on their website. Some of their marketing people have been said to have made those claims though. So, Sony have had their part in this misconception.
Unless you are asking for a large repair bill, don't get it wet. If it 's wet I keep my A7R in the bag and shoot with my NX30 ans 16-50 S lens. I've got that camera wet many times with no issue, and the lens is designed to be truly dust/moisture resistant.
Interestingly enough there is no claim about dust and moisture resistance for A7II
My own experience: I used my camera in light rain and happened to get a drop of water on the front control wheel. It stopped working instantly after rotating the wheel. I will send the camera in for repairs and wonder what the statement from Sony will be...
p.1 #17 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
pdmphoto wrote:
Sony never have listed any of the A7 series (including the new A7II) as being "weather-proof" or "dust-moisture resistant" on their website. Some of their marketing people have been said to have made those claims though. So, Sony have had their part in this misconception.
Sony is still at fault directly and do in fact claim "dust and moisture resistance" even today on their own website:
"Dust and moisture resistance
Carefree shooting in tough environments is yours thanks to comprehensive dust and moisture resistance measures that enhance reliability by helping to prevent water and dust from entering the body. These measures include sealing around the buttons and dials, as well as a protective double-layered structure that tightly interlocks panels and components." https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/5540407/a7wr.jpg
I guess the Sony store did not get the memo to remove the inaccurate info that has been circulating since this cameras introduction. If this had been Apple, you can bet there would already have been a class-action lawsuit over this.
Edit: just as posted above me.
The OP should bring this to Sony's attention in his dealings with them as they really should fix his camera for free based on the above advertising from their own store.
p.1 #18 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
I had a similar experience with a NEX-7 about 2 years ago. Shooting in Monterey on the rocks. Saw a small splash coming towards me so turned with my back to the water to shield the camera. Didn't get a noticeable amount of water on myself. Did get a small splatter of froth on my LCD which I immediately wiped off. The LCD went blank within a few minutes.
p.1 #20 · Warning for A7R Users regarding water damage
darrellc wrote:
am tempted to buy direct and get their extended warranties.
I'm not familiar with buying from their store vs. retail. I'll go do a search, but can you explain the difference? And how well they honor the warranty?
I know Nikon has been a PITA on warranties at times, claiming "impact damage " on lightly used equipment. I'm sure they had a corporate mandate to reduce warranty repair costs.
Places like Best Buy have a reputation for easy exchanges on "drop and damage" warranties, but they usually aren't worth the added cost. Extended warranties are a **huge** profit center.
Sorry, I don't mean to derail. Seems pertinent in this context. I'm sorry OP for teh damage - keep us updated! FWIW, I saw a Sony Refurb A7R on eBay for $1,500, so that is the approximate "replacement cost."
