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First Frame Black Problem - Quick Question

Started Jan 2, 2007 | Discussions thread
pvelz Regular Member • Posts: 194
Some more information from German sources

I have looked a bit more in detail at the information that apparently has become public (from KM service manuals) on the "first frame black" problem.

The part of the 7D that fails is the "AF CHARGE ASSY" (part number 2181-0521-01), for Dynax 7D to be replaced by "AF CHARGE ASSY" (2181-0521-02) together with "MIRROR BOX ASSY" (2181-0500-01 respectively -02).

In the service manual for the 5D the following exact description is provided:

start of quote:

Symptom: Unexposure at the first time after leaving for a certain period. (Error 58)

Cause: Pressure to the shutter assy cam roller was applied for a certain period.

Measure: AF charge assy (2186-0521-02) and shutter assy (2186-0210) exchange.

When replacing the AF charge baseplate assy against Error 58, please replace the shutter assy with it. At removal and installation of AF charge baseplate, be sure to follow the standard method. (Don't remove and install downward.)

end of quote

In the referenced documentation it is mentioned that 7D and 5D are both affected, but as the parts have been modified (from version 01 to version 02) as a of a certain production date 7D and 5D may be free of this problem. The authors also expect that the A100 will not have this problem.

If I remember well there was a period of time that Sony did not have parts to solve this problem and customers received a refund. I would not be surprised (to say it mildly) that the refunds were given during the time that the KM/Sony engineers were frantically re-engineering the parts involved and did not want to repair systems with a design flaw. The recent apperance of parts seems to point to the resolution of this design problem and thereby the renewed availability of (version 02) parts.

I am guessing I accept that, but given my 25 year professional experience with this kind of business processes and practice makes me I feel my interpretation is very close to the actual occurrences.

In short this is an unintentional design problem (unbeabsichtigten Konstruktionsfehler), the part has been modified and probably repaired camera's will now be reliable. But . . .

EU legislation requires manufacturers to recall ALL PRODUCTS and repair for FREE.

Anyone has a suggestion how to get this organized? What is the status of the German action (where this information originates from)?

All of us will benefit, even the people who have had a paid repair can claim a refund.

Peter

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