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Sony a1/a9 build quality

jfw3
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

I've held off on posting this for some time but I'm to the point where it's becoming very frustrating.

I switched from Nikon (D5/D850/etc) to Sony in 2019. I currently shoot with (2) a1's a broken a9 and the usual compliment of lenses 400, 200-600, 70-200 II, 24-70, 85, etc. Firmware is current on all units and I've reset them to factory settings and set them back up manually rather than from a card backup of the system settings.

None of this stuff has ever been dropped or got wet so here's my question or inquiry...

While I don't treat my gear like museum pieces, I also don't beat it up. I've had considerably more repair/build quality issues with Sony than I ever had with Nikon or Canon.

Sony a9
- when using the wheel on the back reviewing images, after spinning the wheel in either direction after a few frames or sometimes several dozen, it switches to live view. The obvious would be that there is a short in the wheel and it "think" I'm pressing up/down/left/right on the wheel but I don't have live view assigned to anything on the wheel so that shouldn't be doing this.

Sony a1
- same thing as the above about the wheel although it does it intermittently. Sometimes it acts up after a few fames and is trouble most of the day and sometimes it works fine all day. I'd send this in to Sony PRO but unless it acts out when they have it in their hands, it's just going to come back in the same condition.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar problem and get any thoughts from anyone. I am a working, full-time photographer and I truly love shooting with the a1 and have no interest in switching to C or N, but I'm also not interested in continuing to deal with this sort of thing.

Please don't respond with "yea.... Sony is crap!" or "mine works fine, it must be the user" as that is not the spirit of my inquire and it doesn't contribute to the conversation. I'm hoping to figure out a solution and maybe be of help to someone else experiencing this.

Thanks,

JFW

John Wilkinson III
www.jfw3.com
Nashville, Tenn

Feb 27, 2024 at 01:24 AM

RikWriter
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

Have you sent it to Sony for repair?

Feb 27, 2024 at 01:50 AM

Grenache
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

I have shot Sony for about 10 years, cheap models…expensive models (current bodies are a7iii and a1) and never even had to pull out the battery for a “hard reset” like Canon bodies often required. No body issues, any body, in that time frame.

Jim

Feb 27, 2024 at 03:58 AM

NonDecaf
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

jfw3 wrote:
I've held off on posting this for some time but I'm to the point where it's becoming very frustrating.

I switched from Nikon (D5/D850/etc) to Sony in 2019. I currently shoot with (2) a1's a broken a9 and the usual compliment of lenses 400, 200-600, 70-200 II, 24-70, 85, etc. Firmware is current on all units and I've reset them to factory settings and set them back up manually rather than from a card backup of the system settings.

None of this stuff has ever been dropped or got wet so here's my question or inquiry...

While I don't treat my gear like...Show more →

As much as I like the tech, I believe Sony needs to up their game with build quality. I find the sealing especially around the doors (card + battery) to be not adequate, but I can't prove anything, it just feels a bit light to me.

My A92 developed a creaky card door after about a year of use. To their credit Sony repaired it for free. Since then, I got an A1, which I babied after that experience. It has held up pretty well for the last couple of years.

Good luck with the repair!

Feb 27, 2024 at 04:30 AM

Laslo Varadi
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

I have owned the A1 since it was introduced and never had any problems with it. Same with A9 and A9ii before that.

Feb 27, 2024 at 06:40 AM

timgangloff
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

I have 2 a1's and an a7r5 as info. One a1 has had an issue or two, but I was able to fully resolve it both times by doing a factory reset. For me, they are kind of like computers and every once in a while you'll get one that needs to have the OS reinstalled. I've not had any hardware failures. Mine get a fair amount of abuse on the football fields, basketball courts etc.

Also, years ago I had a Canon 5dMK2 that worked fine. Sent it to Canon for a clean and check and they found lots of corrosion. It had never been submerged, but had photographed lots of games in damp environments. Although the cameras was working fine at the time, I'm sure it was just a matter of time before I'd have issues with it.

These cameras are not waterproof and are susceptible to water infiltration and damage even if advertised as weather sealed. It's quite possible yours has some internal damage and could explain your issues.

Feb 27, 2024 at 08:58 AM

telyt
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

One of my two a1 bodies has had a few incidents like this and I've resolved the problem by shutting the camera off & working the offending dials a few times. It's as if the internal switches get dirty and working them a few times gets the dirt off.

Feb 27, 2024 at 09:11 AM

MAubrey
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

My A7rII started having problems earlier their year, but that's after nearly a decade of use. I ended up replacing the ribbon cables that go through the top plate to get it working again. Other than that, I've been a very content user.

And even with the problem, I appreciated that Sony's service manuals and replacement parts are so readily available online that I could repair it myself for without difficulty.

Feb 27, 2024 at 09:32 AM

jhapeman
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

I've used Nikon, Canon and Sony over the last 25 years and I've had an equal number of issues with all three brands. I will admit at first I was a lot more concerned about my Sony's after I did a switch from Canon around the same time as you. I think that's as subconscious bias as they feel less durable given how small they are; the bigger DSLRs from Canon and Nikon just felt durable in part due the large size. In practice though the Sony's have been just fine. Right now I have two A1's and an A9III and I've taken them all over, including jungle and cloud forests. I don't use them in pouring rain, but I've used them in light rain, and while I don't abuse them I also don't baby them. I've no issues at all. One friend got the dreaded A1 fault where it just dies and needs a new mainboard--that seems to be a manufacturing defect of some kind that has happened to some--but I also had a sensor issue back in the day with my Canon 1Ds Mark II that required a total system board replacement too.

I sent my friend's A1 in for him since I have a Sony PRO Support account and can get a faster turn around and they did a great job. I have also had to send in my 600GM because it fell and got a substantial dent in the lens tube right at the function ring. In both cases the repairs were fast, good, and communication with Sony's support was excellent. Just send yours in and get it serviced!

Feb 27, 2024 at 09:46 AM

jfw3
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

Thanks for these great responses from everyone, very helpful. Seeing a fellow Tennessean in the mix here as well Hatpix! I'm going to schedule a time in the next few weeks and send it in to Sony PRO and have them look it over and see what they can do.

Feb 27, 2024 at 10:49 AM

1bwana1
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

I have been shooting a variety of Sony bodies and lenses from about 2017. I have never had an issue with any one of the bodies. I did recently have a Batis focus motor fail. That lens is probably not worth repairing considering its current value.

From reading the description of the behaviour you are experiencing I find it unlikely that both an A1, and an A9 could have developed the same unique problem. One that I have never heard being reported on either camera prior to this. So I played around with my A1 to see if I could cause it.

First by rear wheel I am thinking you mean the Rear Multi-Selector Dial. Although you can scroll through your images by using either the front or rear dials also. So even if there is somehow a problem with your Multi-Selector, you can just change which Dial/Wheel you use to review images with. Don't forget that the programming of controls can be different depending on whether you are in shooting or reviewing mode.

What I found in my experimentation is that you can cause the issue as you describe by activating any control on your camera that has anything to do with focus. It is not necessary to have that button programed to Live View. For me the most likely unintentional such buttons are the programmable buttons on the lens. This may be more likely if you are shooting with larger lenses where it is likely that you are supporting the camera with the lens during review. It may be worth taking a look at how you are holding the camera during review and see which of any buttons you may accidentally be activating during review.

If that turns out to be the case I think you should be able to program that button differently in Review Mode to mitigate the problem.

I am not at all saying that this is what is happening in your case. Just saying the potential is there.

Good luck solving the issues you are having. I did stop by your website, nice images there.

Steve

Edited on Feb 27, 2024 at 12:16 PM · View previous versions

Feb 27, 2024 at 11:01 AM

ktchiu1017
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

It might be worth changing the settings to use the dials to scroll through images instead of the wheel.

As a Sony user for over 7 years now (A7iii, A7iv, A1 + many other Sony lenses), I've never had an issue with build quality.

Feb 27, 2024 at 12:13 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

ktchiu1017 wrote:
It might be worth changing the settings to use the dials to scroll through images instead of the wheel.

As a Sony user for over 7 years now (A7iii, A7iv, A1 + many other Sony lenses), I've never had an issue with build quality.

I don't think you even have to change settings. That is the default behavior when in Image Review Mode.

Feb 27, 2024 at 12:17 PM

jhapeman
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

1bwana1 wrote:
I don't think you even have to change settings. That is the default behavior when in Image Review Mode.

Also, sometimes when you are reviewing images that way the A1 will just suddenly jump to live view if the lens seems to sense it needs to focus on something. I've seen it myself. Maybe that's what's happening here?

Feb 27, 2024 at 01:00 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

jhapeman wrote:
Also, sometimes when you are reviewing images that way the A1 will just suddenly jump to live view if the lens seems to sense it needs to focus on something. I've seen it myself. Maybe that's what's happening here?

Yep, I should have tested but maybe just turning the focus ring will do it.

Feb 27, 2024 at 02:18 PM

jhapeman
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

1bwana1 wrote:
Yep, I should have tested but maybe just turning the focus ring will do it.

You might be right, I keep my camera in DMF mode so I can manually override focus when needed. I bet I'm bumping the focus ring......I've just gotten used to it as a quirk and I take it as a reminder that I shouldn't be chimping. I've missed so many shots because I've been browsing my shots vs. paying attention!

Feb 27, 2024 at 02:22 PM

dallvr
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

Laslo Varadi wrote:
I have owned the A1 since it was introduced and never had any problems with it. Same with A9 and A9ii before that.

I've had two A9s, A7R4, now two A1s and an a7R5. No problems with any of these bodies. One of the A1s got dunked into a lake in New Zealand, but after two days of drying out, it still works just fine.

Feb 27, 2024 at 03:33 PM

1bwana1
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

jhapeman wrote:
You might be right, I keep my camera in DMF mode so I can manually override focus when needed. I bet I'm bumping the focus ring......I've just gotten used to it as a quirk and I take it as a reminder that I shouldn't be chimping. I've missed so many shots because I've been browsing my shots vs. paying attention!

I just got home and tested on my A1. Even in DMF Mode turning the focus ring doesn't cause the issue. It must be from a control that has been programmed to some Focus function.

Feb 27, 2024 at 05:44 PM

BillinTexas
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

My only issue has been "LCD screen burn" for lack of a better term on the A1. My nose presses against the top left corner of the LCD and I suppose the combination of sweat and oils from my skin has caused this. It is the only explanation I can think of. I can get a screen replacement for near $150 but it isn't causing any real issues with the use of the camera so I'll wait.

Feb 28, 2024 at 07:49 AM

Alan Parker
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Sony a1/a9 build quality

We have two Sony camera at home: an A7II and an A7RIV.

My wife mostly uses the A7II and has never had any problems with it. It seems to be a more simple body. The shutter button is a little bit wonky but that's not a big problem for me or her.
My own A7RIV has had issues sadly; I had to have it repaired for some unusual water damage/corrosion last year. It is currently in a big bag of silica gel because it got wet again and needs to dry out. Other than that I haven't had anything give out or have problems. Operation seems to be perfectly nice.

Feb 28, 2024 at 08:00 AM

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