Please make me feel better about my 717!

Nobody likes bad news.

Especially not after you've just forked out £850 on something that has turned out to be a defective product! I must admit, I've lost my confidence with this camera completely, I'm just not sure what's gonna turn up when I sync my camera with my pc - and I hate Sony for doing that to me...

Please encourage me not to

a) return the camera
b) just bin it!

I'm really feeling 'down' about this whole thing and now wished that I never have bought it!

...this is just a minor inconvenience.

Yes, Sony should have caught the problem before they released the camera, but we can't go back and have them do it the right way. They are paying to pick up the cameras, fixing them as fast as they can and returning them to us.
We can read the manuals over again while they're gone.

I took enough pictures with my 717 to learn that it can produce spectacular images.

The 717 is my seventh digital camera and the one that produces the best images. It has a battery that seems to last forever, compared to what I experienced in the past.
As I learned to "tweak" the various settings, my pictures got better and better.
It is not a "point and shoot".
You WILL learn to love it.

You are experiencing what many of us experience after almost manic anticipation of the latest and greatest and then, upon its arrival, realizing you aren't making instant masterpieces.
Hang in there. Don't ditch it!
Isabel

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digipets/?yguid=11497599

I've had the 717 for a couple of weeks and its a fine camera. Mine is making its way to the SONY ctr for the fix. I did not have any problems with the camera before sending it in but I decided to be safe.

While I have problems with SONY not doing the necessary testing prior to release its still a fine camera. I have seen nothing but rave reviews for it which matches my experience. Its easy to read the current posts and end being discouraged but the proof is is in the pictures. Just use it and I think you'll be very pleased. Good luck.

Harry

http://www.pbase.com/hpb

There are endless posts about this already that you can search, but I'd just say this: Remember that it is only a software issue, and at least Sony is standing behind their cameras and admitting and fixing the problem!

Go read user comments on other websites about the Canon G2 and problems with it that have gone unaddresssed.

A little perspective here:
1. It's a minor problem.
2. It's fixable.
3. Sony is fixing it for free.
4. It's just a camera.

Now, I'm not trying to be a smartass here, so don't flame me. I understand that $1000 is a lot of money, and you expect to get a working camera for that. I'm with you on that. But think of it like this: It isn't like it's faulty brakes on your car and you're going to die. Or think about all those people with the bad tires awhile back that were flipping their cars on the freeway. Now that's something to worry about. You didn't just find out your child has cancer. Although some may like that analogy, seriously, there are much larger problems in life. Send the camera to Sony, let them fix it. Everything will be okay.
--
--Kimberly--
I was raised by a pack of wild corn dogs...
My gallery: http://www.pbase.com/kimberlybrummitt

Well can't really cheer you up, but I know how you're feeling. Just came back from my dealer where I ordered my 717, and "luckily" took along the list of serial no of defective cameras. As you can guess... it was defective, as where his other 8 stocked 717s... Never before saw a salesman looking so sad. I really looked forward to this day of purchase, and now I have to wait another couple of weeks :-( Hope Sony send new ones and not some refurnished "fixed" - once defective - 717s.

Well on the other hand it really boosts my appreciation of Sony of admitting they made defective cameras and coming into the open with it. Normal procedure of almost any company would be: keep it quite, keep people who might notice dangling and certainly not admit it would be their fault...

What I don’t understand, and really would like to know is why Sony sticks to its policy of not bringing out firmware updates for their digital cameras, while they have firmware updates for ofther stuff they produce. It would have fixed this problem in secs instead of weeks...

After months of comparing camera’s and waiting for my 717 I’m more than ever convinced it is the right decision. (based on feelings that are based on facts)

Sorry for this boring you all with this long reply but I really had to get it out of my system. I really looked forware of shooting pictures tonight, well I guess I have to do sony more mouth-watering over Peter’s book, that also helped me through the last month or so...

Well to conclude: Your not they only one! Stick with the rest of us and be happy with the anticipation!

Rgds, Alex.

Take it from me, teh F717 is a FANTASTIC camera. I have had mine for 4 weeks now and have taken some amazing pictures (check out http://www3.photosig.com/userphotos.php?id=36892 ).

Last night I won my local camera clubs ARCHITECTURE competition. All three of my entries had been taken with the F717.

OK it is annoying that Sony have a minor problem and they are doing well to fix it (I work for a major car manufacturer and no way would they act so fast and efficiently).

Keep your eyes focussed on the overwhelming positives of this fantastic camera and you will not be disappointed.

David

Kimberly said:

A little perspective here:
1. It's a minor problem.
2. It's fixable.
3. Sony is fixing it for free.
4. It's just a camera.

Now, I'm not trying to be a smartass here, so don't flame me. I
understand that $1000 is a lot of money, and you expect to get a
working camera for that. I'm with you on that. But think of it
like this: It isn't like it's faulty brakes on your car and you're
going to die. Or think about all those people with the bad tires
awhile back that were flipping their cars on the freeway. Now
that's something to worry about. You didn't just find out your
child has cancer. Although some may like that analogy, seriously,
there are much larger problems in life. Send the camera to Sony,
let them fix it. Everything will be okay.
--
--Kimberly--
I was raised by a pack of wild corn dogs...
My gallery: http://www.pbase.com/kimberlybrummitt

Click to expand...

--
David D

KingRob said:

Nobody likes bad news.

Especially not after you've just forked out £850 on something that
has turned out to be a defective product! I must admit, I've lost
my confidence with this camera completely, I'm just not sure what's
gonna turn up when I sync my camera with my pc - and I hate Sony
for doing that to me...

Please encourage me not to

a) return the camera
b) just bin it!

I'm really feeling 'down' about this whole thing and now wished
that I never have bought it!

Click to expand...

Sorry to hear about your problem, KR. Sounds like the best thing for you now is to return your 717 and with cash in hand wait to see if Sony really has a handle on this problem. When you feel it's safe, go out and buy another one.

But if you're completely down on the 717 and don't want to wait, check out the shops to see if the 707 is still available. I bought one last month for less than $800 at Circuit City, but was thinking about exchanging it for the 717. I decided against it after comparing 707 and 717 pics on the web.

The only complaint I have is just the well known overblown reds. But that can be dealt with in Photoshop. Otherwise, the 707 is a monster bargain.

Good luck to ya.
--
Ron
http://www.pbase.com/ronpcain

Okay, you want encouragement, and that's what you're going to get.

The F717 even on its bad days is still in the top of its class. Take a cue from some of the better photographers here as well as from practical experience from the past: This focus issue is not as bad an issue as it's made out to be. The example I like to use is that it's like ordering cable tv, and then you find out after having it hooked up that a couple of channels aren't coming in clearly. Similarly, the F717 has some specific circumstances under which it has difficulty with the focus.

But you know what? For many users, those circumstances are rare. Even if they are not rare and the focus is severely out of whack, the problem only affects AUTOMATIC focus. You can still focus manually. Or you can turn off the HAF. And there are other ways to work with it if you choose NOT to send your camera in for repair.

If you DO send your camera in for repair (how is the UK handling this?), the fix is free, quick, and the camera gets back to you in a timely fashion.

Issues with the F717 seem to be very few and relatively minor in the big scheme of things. So if you're thinking of sending your camera in, know that it will most likely come back to you in good time and in good shape. Barring something gone wrong on the delivery truck.

Feel better?

Canon folks, Nikon folks, and others all go through their share of woes, too. Just take a look in any of those forums for posts about your next favorite cameras, and it will give a better perspective.

--

Ulysses
Repository of Some of My Stuff
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291269101

I'm an uncle!!!

Lee280zx said:

Go read user comments on other websites about the Canon G2 and
problems with it that have gone unaddresssed.

Click to expand...

This is suppose to make me feel better. You're not suggesting the Sony "lower the bar", are you? Because if you are, I will want to short some Sony stock.

Sorry, but I hear this argument all the time - you know, they all do it, or, Sony is no worse... Believe me, this is not the message Sony needs to hear.

Chuck

Wow!!!

I'm walking on sunshine - again!

The first time was when I got my DSC-F717 and now, after reading all your letters of encouragement!!!

It worked and I'm keeping my Sony camera!!!!

Thank you, Ulysses and all the others!

Hi KingRob,

We have been through this before with BFS, DLS...of F707. But overall, F707 and F717 are still the best 5 Mega pixels out there. If you return this! What else you gonna get?! I'm pretty sure you gonna run into another problems. Beside that, Sony will fix it! Infact my camera is in PA right now, and I expect it to be back on Friday. Thanks to all the people who sacrificed yourself "complaining" for the goods of all of us

So, hang in there Kingrob! The dark days are almost over and we will be happy again!

Guhhhhhh...Sony!...If you don't fix it this time!....We gonna kill you...You hear?! )) (((

Antoine

KingRob said:

Nobody likes bad news.

Especially not after you've just forked out £850 on something that
has turned out to be a defective product! I must admit, I've lost
my confidence with this camera completely, I'm just not sure what's
gonna turn up when I sync my camera with my pc - and I hate Sony
for doing that to me...

Please encourage me not to

a) return the camera
b) just bin it!

I'm really feeling 'down' about this whole thing and now wished
that I never have bought it!

Click to expand...

--
Antoine - F717, The Mirror Image
http://www.pbase.com/image/6381098

Antoine - F717, The Mirror Images
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291244987

The only way you'll feel better, assuming you are talking about the focus problem, is to get your camera fixed and start taking pictures.

You will soon forget it even happened but until then nothing will make you feel better.

Its the truth.

--
TurboTed

(It's easier just being insane than acting insane)

I've taken many great images with the 717 already and hadn't even noticed the problem. I did send it in to be fixed because the occasion will arrise when I'll need it to work correctly under conditions I haven't tried yet. It left yesterday and I miss it already. If you want to see the quality of color it can produce check out my images in the current STF Challenge. Ann

Isabel Cutler said:

...this is just a minor inconvenience.
Yes, Sony should have caught the problem before they released the
camera, but we can't go back and have them do it the right way.
They are paying to pick up the cameras, fixing them as fast as they
can and returning them to us.
We can read the manuals over again while they're gone.
I took enough pictures with my 717 to learn that it can produce
spectacular images.
The 717 is my seventh digital camera and the one that produces the
best images. It has a battery that seems to last forever, compared
to what I experienced in the past.
As I learned to "tweak" the various settings, my pictures got
better and better.
It is not a "point and shoot".
You WILL learn to love it.
You are experiencing what many of us experience after almost manic
anticipation of the latest and greatest and then, upon its arrival,
realizing you aren't making instant masterpieces.
Hang in there. Don't ditch it!
Isabel

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Digipets/?yguid=11497599

Click to expand...

--
also known as PT Kitty > ^..^
http://www.pbase.com/ptkitty/galleries
http://www.annchaikin.com

If you do find that you have a camera with the issue (or with the numbers mentioned by Sony), just call them. Get it fixed.

Then afterwards, it's fun, fun, fun in the sun again.

Problems like these can be serious downers. I've been there. Several times. But I know it wouldn't be very much different with any other camera. You just have to jump in at the time you feel is best and with the camera that you feel best suits you. The rest is just academic.

KingRob said:

Wow!!!

I'm walking on sunshine - again!

Click to expand...

--

Ulysses
Repository of Some of My Stuff
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291269101

I'm an uncle!!!

TurboTed said:

The only way you'll feel better, assuming you are talking about the
focus problem, is to get your camera fixed and start taking
pictures.

You will soon forget it even happened but until then nothing will
make you feel better.

Its the truth.

--
TurboTed

(It's easier just being insane than acting insane)

Click to expand...

--

Ulysses
Repository of Some of My Stuff
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291269101

I'm an uncle!!!

My point isn't that Sony is okay because everyone else does it, or that they should lower the bar.

My point is that Sony is addressing this issue and fixing the camera.

Would you rather buy from a company that fails to admit and fix problems, or one that does admit and fix them?

It is pointless to say you'd rather buy from a company that doesn't make mistakes. Name one company for me that has never sold a product that had problems they could have found with better testing.

Sony has already gotten their message, and they've instituted the fix.

The rest of this, in the context of the question, is how can the original poster find satisfaction.

No one is saying, "It's okay Sony. We know that you're having troubles just like everyone else." Rather, the poster is being offered that: "The F717 has this focus issue... the G2 has a cracking issue... the 5700 has the noise and saturation issue. Which one do you tolerate less?"

Again, it's a matter of context.

Of course, there is always the option of just not getting a camera at all and postponing or missing out on adorable memories like these.

probepro said:

Sorry, but I hear this argument all the time - you know, they all
do it, or, Sony is no worse... Believe me, this is not the message
Sony needs to hear.

Click to expand...

--

Ulysses
Repository of Some of My Stuff
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291269101

I'm an uncle!!!

Member said:

Ulysses wrote:
"The F717 has this focus issue... the G2 has a
cracking issue... the 5700 has the noise and saturation issue.
Which one do you tolerate less?"

Click to expand...

Sorry Uly, but comparisons to Canon or Nikon do not excuse Sony. We know Sony monitors this site. So what are we telling them? It's OK that the F7*7 has had 4 or 5 defects within less than 2 years, because the G2 and 5700 have had problems too. Just once I would like for someone to explain to me how sending this message to Sony helps its customers or stockholders.

I suppose on one level, this poster wanted us to make him feel better, so telling him that they all do it, or Sony is no worse than the others may accomplish that, but quite frankly, it wouldn't do much for me.

Well, I wouldn't be surprised if folks are getting tired of me saying this - I'm getting a bit weary of it myself. So I'm going to chill for awhile, and stay away form this discussion. I just need to let it be for awhile.

Thanks for listening,
Chuck

That nephew of yours is getting handsomer every day !!!!

Ulysses said:

Then afterwards, it's fun, fun, fun in the sun again.

Problems like these can be serious downers. I've been there.
Several times. But I know it wouldn't be very much different with
any other camera. You just have to jump in at the time you feel is
best and with the camera that you feel best suits you. The rest is
just academic.

KingRob said:

Wow!!!

I'm walking on sunshine - again!

Click to expand...

--

Ulysses
Repository of Some of My Stuff
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=4291269101

I'm an uncle!!!

Click to expand...

--
-Faye