Fix the A55 Sony!

johnwesley · Oct 16, 2010

I have heard that it will get fixed and then I have heard that it won't.

Does NOT sound like NO other to me.. Change the slogan to JUST LIKE THE REST!

Just because my car is not a Jag, does not mean I don't expect great tires, good paint job, and reliability out of it.

So, why should we expect less or the same from a Camera that's supposed to be ahead of everything else?

We are to be the guinea pigs for these models and if they take off, then Sony will make one with what these, should have had and charge more for it... OK... I get it now.. and it makes business sense.

I still think that if enough of us call Sony, they will address the A55's shortcomings.

Hopefully you will all call, I did.

Ok, right....Sony didn't ask me to buy the Camera, but in a way they did, so we both share in getting the A55 right IMHO.

--
johnawesley

Condor99 · Oct 16, 2010

Did we forget to take our meds this morning?

What is the purpose of this rant? You probably don't even own an A55 and you probably aren't even going to buy one. I think the camera is just fine and you are the one with the problem.

--
Tom Seiler
My portfolio:
http://picasaweb.google.com/SeilerBird/MyPortfolio
Sony A330 - copper
Sony 70-300
Tamron 200-500

jcurtistx · Oct 16, 2010

I have the A55 on the way from Adorama and other than the sporadic overhearing issue what else us there that needs to be fixed? Aperture control in movie mode?

--
Sony A55, Tamron 17-50, Tamron 18-250, Tamron 60 f2

whtchocla7e · Oct 16, 2010

This is a fantastic post but I didn't see a single issue that the OP has with the camera mentioned it in. Pointless...

johnwesley said:
I have heard that it will get fixed and then I have heard that it won't.

Does NOT sound like NO other to me.. Change the slogan to JUST LIKE THE REST!

Just because my car is not a Jag, does not mean I don't expect great tires, good paint job, and reliability out of it.

So, why should we expect less or the same from a Camera that's supposed to be ahead of everything else?

We are to be the guinea pigs for these models and if they take off, then Sony will make one with what these, should have had and charge more for it... OK... I get it now.. and it makes business sense.

I still think that if enough of us call Sony, they will address the A55's shortcomings.

Hopefully you will all call, I did.

Ok, right....Sony didn't ask me to buy the Camera, but in a way they did, so we both share in getting the A55 right IMHO.

--
johnawesley

Nordstjernen · Oct 16, 2010

I think your general description is very helpful for Sony. I have to write something similar to the maker of my cheap family car, so that they can bring it up to the level of a Jaguar. And maybe add a few cylinders to the engine too. Why shouldn't they?

I am not telling that Sony cameras are perfect. They are just on the level with other brands at the same price level.

normsmith · Oct 16, 2010

If you look at both the NEX and the SLT's, it looks like Sony have put a massive amount of research and development funds into these lines, I'm sure their committment is not in question.

they have jsut released firmware 3 for the NEX, so it is a fair assumption that the SLT's will get simiilar support.

I have been out all morning with my A33 at a wildlife centre, I do not get any sense that my camera needs 'fixing'.

Nordstjernen · Oct 16, 2010

normsmith said:
I have been out all morning with my A33 at a wildlife centre, I do not get any sense that my camera needs 'fixing'.

My impression is that there are two main groups of camera buyers: The one that are using their cameras to capture images, and the one that are waiting for the 'perfect' camera before they really are able to fully realize their photographic potential. Members of the latter group are looking for shortcomings and are waiting for software updates. The members of the first group are just using their cameras.

Kal-El33 · Oct 16, 2010

Nordstjernen said:
normsmith said:

I have been out all morning with my A33 at a wildlife centre, I do not get any sense that my camera needs 'fixing'.

Click to expand...

My impression is that there are two main groups of camera buyers: The one that are using their cameras to capture images, and the one that are waiting for the 'perfect' camera before they really are able to fully realize their photographic potential. Members of the latter group are looking for shortcomings and are waiting for software updates. The members of the first group are just using their cameras.

Just pointing out here but there have been some that have had overheating issues while just shooting photos, not while using 10fps or video. That's a problem. It's a 1st generation of new tech so expect there to be problems. If you are a new adopter of any new tech then expect to be the beta tester and expect things to be wrong, and don't overly ***** about it when things aren't working right.

If you want a perfect, well worked out product then DON'T BUY THE 1RST GENERATION!

johnwesley · Oct 16, 2010

Agreed... But I did, and will so live with it.

If Sony fixes it Great and if not, then not!
--
johnawesley

John Koch · Oct 16, 2010

How long must the video shots or still bursts be before the overheating problem occurs? If the "takes" are limited to 30 seconds or less (few of mine are ever that long), does the A55 overheat? Would a succession of ten-second shots, four times per minute, present a problem? That might be a typical need for some sports video.

Does the heat poblem diminish if one uses the 1440x1080 video mode (12mbps), instead of the 1920x1080 video mode (17mbps)?

Videocams often have fans to cool the sensors. The trade-off is that the on-board mics will pick up the whir of the fan, especially as the device ages. Does the A55 have such a fan?

chacha1 · Oct 16, 2010

Too bad someone cannot complain about a production inconsistency on this forum without being criticized for it. If sony has released a bunch of problem cameras with ones that are not, they need to get a firmware out right away...right away. If I had had user problems with my a100 when I first bought it, I would have called sony out for it on this forum as well. There's been lots of reasonable people with reasonable complaints, that do not involve pixel peeping who are getting shut down for it. Very bad for this forum. Bill

tom55604 · Oct 16, 2010

First rule of this forum, don't criticize Sony products. If you don't think it is satisfactory it is because:
1. you are a troll;

2. You are an inadequate photographer and you choose to blame the camera rather than learn your craft;
3. You are an Caniklymtax fan boy and are out for fun (sort of like #1)

4. You are a reactionary old f@rt and will fight all tech advancement tooth and nail

5. You are a bitter A700 fan boy who's a fool for having "invested" in Sony early on.

6. You are a Minolta fan boy and don't realize that Minolta is dead, and the sooner you leave or join Minolta in death the better the world will be.
7. You are a fool because Sony doesn't read these forums anyway.

In case you missed it, the above is sarcasm.

When the A100 came out, users complained about high ISO noise. Before that there were problems with the KM7D a-mount camera (lousy flash exposure, inconsistent ambient exposure, poor AF, lazy eye flash.) There were lots of complaints, and lots of complaints about the complainers from the KM fan boys. Nothing different from what we see today.

Sony tried to fix those issues with the A700, and succeeded in most cases, but overcompensated trying to eliminate noise leading to "watercolor images" (in fairness, some was due to the way adobe converted raws.)

There were a number of different complaints about the A700 including "the camera was broke" -- excessive noise reduction that could not be turned off, as well as some complaints about not being state of the art -- very limited auto bracketing for those who wanted to do HDR, no LV, and no video.

In regard to the NEX there were complaints about the UI and lack of control in video.

Based on Sony's history of firmware updates (A700 and NEX) complaints are listened to (confirmed by DK interview) and where it is feasible, they do attempt to fix them (not sure what happened to the A900 - although there really weren't consistent complaints, just calls for FW updates to show corporate interest). If they can't be fixed by FW updates, it appears they are addressed in future camera capabilities.

So I believe that it is important to let Sony know both what the issues are and what is really liked about the cameras. We don't know if the overheating with stills is a camera design issue or a QA issue. Either way, it's important to complain - directly if possible - but here as well, so that Sony will decide it is necessary to address either cause. Many people do buy a camera without using dpreview, and if Sony has a problem with lots of returns, it doesn't do them any good once the store clerks start telling prospective customers that Sony has a bad return rate or overheats or...

Having worked in area where customer satisfaction was important, the worst thing was to get no feed back or a lot of "happy talk" and then find out why repeat customers weren't coming back. It's a lot harder to fix a ruined reputation than to fix things early and get a rep for being responsive.

tom

lonewolf69 · Oct 16, 2010

ChaCha, Walt, and others,

Cmon, you've ALL been on this forum long enough now to know that I'm not criticizing legitimate concerns about defects and improvements on the camera INCLUDING our beloved A700...

IF there is a problem with the camera and/or there is a significant design flaw then YES attention must be called and SONY should be made aware of these issue(s) publically.

But my main concern is that some have taking one or two incidents with the SAME issue (eg. Overheating) and then BLAMING the ENTIRE production line that ALL A55/A33 exhibits these problems and it needs to be resolved, I'm sorry but this just isn't the case. One or two instances of overheating does not warrant rampant threads about the SKY is falling and that SONY is abandoning the DSLR market.

@ Walt, I've carefully read your threads and you've called most of the shots head on, my original post was never directed at you as you SIR have very specific needs and in your case, SONY has abandoned you. I too wish for a OVF in the 7/8/9 class bodies but unfortunately SONY does seem to not address this segment of the market, shameful really... But again, this post was never meant for you.

chacha1 said:
Too bad someone cannot complain about a production inconsistency on this forum without being criticized for it. If sony has released a bunch of problem cameras with ones that are not, they need to get a firmware out right away...right away. If I had had user problems with my a100 when I first bought it, I would have called sony out for it on this forum as well. There's been lots of reasonable people with reasonable complaints, that do not involve pixel peeping who are getting shut down for it. Very bad for this forum. Bill

--
-Alex

From the minds of Minolta to the imagination of Sony, Alpha, like no other.

http://www.pbase.com/lonewolf69

Gionni Dorelli · Oct 16, 2010

Because if you had one, to a post like your below, you would say: "what is this m... talking about."

Really!

johnwesley said:
I have heard that it will get fixed and then I have heard that it won't.

Does NOT sound like NO other to me.. Change the slogan to JUST LIKE THE REST!

Just because my car is not a Jag, does not mean I don't expect great tires, good paint job, and reliability out of it.

So, why should we expect less or the same from a Camera that's supposed to be ahead of everything else?

We are to be the guinea pigs for these models and if they take off, then Sony will make one with what these, should have had and charge more for it... OK... I get it now.. and it makes business sense.

I still think that if enough of us call Sony, they will address the A55's shortcomings.

Hopefully you will all call, I did.

Ok, right....Sony didn't ask me to buy the Camera, but in a way they did, so we both share in getting the A55 right IMHO.

--
johnawesley

Ruvi W · Feb 23, 2011

I do have an a55 - and love it - but I too have run into overheating problems when shooting video. Sony apparently claims around 9 min at 20C/68F and I was indoors and the temps were around 70F - and I probably got 5 minutes of video before I saw the warning light, and then about a minute later it shut itself down, with the warning that the camera was overheating. I was able to resume shooting photos shortly thereafter, but the camera was still hot and video would only go about a minute before warning me of heat issues.

I am new to this forum, and appreciate all your input and with some hesitation I decided to share my thoughts on this debate:

This is my second Sony DSLR and as much as I love their products, I will point out a flaw when I run into it. That's what separates a person who uses a device as a tool to accomplish a task, from a fanboy. I see a problems with Apple/Mac users

Bottom line: do I REGRET buying the a55 - NO

Would I like to inform Sony that the overheating is an issue that I'd like improved upon - YES

Again, thanks for all the advice shared on these forums.

Lucas_ · Feb 23, 2011

--
Always having fun with photography ...

http://lucaspix.smugmug.com/

Gionni Dorelli · Feb 23, 2011

Ruvi W said:
I do have an a55 - and love it - but I too have run into overheating problems when shooting video. Sony apparently claims around 9 min at 20C/68F and I was indoors and the temps were around 70F - and I probably got 5 minutes of video before I saw the warning light, and then about a minute later it shut itself down, with the warning that the camera was overheating. I was able to resume shooting photos shortly thereafter, but the camera was still hot and video would only go about a minute before warning me of heat issues.

I am new to this forum, and appreciate all your input and with some hesitation I decided to share my thoughts on this debate:

This is my second Sony DSLR and as much as I love their products, I will point out a flaw when I run into it. That's what separates a person who uses a device as a tool to accomplish a task, from a fanboy. I see a problems with Apple/Mac users

Bottom line: do I REGRET buying the a55 - NO

Would I like to inform Sony that the overheating is an issue that I'd like improved upon - YES

Again, thanks for all the advice shared on these forums.

lonewolf69 · Feb 23, 2011

Um sorry I didn't know your A55 was broken? You should send it back to SONY for a repair, other users are using the A55 without issue so YOU must have a problem with YOUR A55...

If you're still NOT satisfied, you should either return it or sell it outright, customer satisfaction should be paramount, man, get your money's worth!

johnwesley said:
I have heard that it will get fixed and then I have heard that it won't.

Does NOT sound like NO other to me.. Change the slogan to JUST LIKE THE REST!

Just because my car is not a Jag, does not mean I don't expect great tires, good paint job, and reliability out of it.

So, why should we expect less or the same from a Camera that's supposed to be ahead of everything else?

We are to be the guinea pigs for these models and if they take off, then Sony will make one with what these, should have had and charge more for it... OK... I get it now.. and it makes business sense.

I still think that if enough of us call Sony, they will address the A55's shortcomings.

Hopefully you will all call, I did.

Ok, right....Sony didn't ask me to buy the Camera, but in a way they did, so we both share in getting the A55 right IMHO.

--
johnawesley

--
-Alex

From the minds of Minolta to the imagination of Sony, Alpha, like no other.

http://www.pbase.com/lonewolf69

Trollmann · Feb 24, 2011

The A55 is simply a fantastic hot product! The overheating issue is no problem, just get a camcorder if you are serious about video ;-)

I also need some help: my A55 is the most fantastic camera I have had in more than 30 years, simply love it - so I guess my brain is broken and need a fix. It must be quite serious, because I even realize that I have to live with and work around a few shortcomings with this camera - an ugly case of camera amore ? Professional help needed immedeately!

MrCrinks · Feb 24, 2011

The dark EVF when using studio lights, that's what's to fix.

Fix the A55 Sony!

Active member

Senior Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Forum Enthusiast

Active member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

New member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Active member

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts