DP1s Focusing problem

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode.  It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks

furtle wrote:

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode. It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks

furtle,

Lack of use must have caused some part to seize up or some electrical contact has corroded or carbonised.

S

furtle wrote:

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode. It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Some applied vibration (less than 50G recommended) might do it, Steve.

For example held onto a: car engine, electric sander, electric jigsaw, kitchen appliance, etc., while trying to focus.

https://www.hansfordsensors.com/resources/vibration-calculator/

Enter frequency and amplitude - get acceleration (G)

Then there is the "calibrated tap" method. With the camera powered up and failing to focus, tap it repeatedly from different directions with the wooden hand of, say, a file or small hammer.

Finally, and in desperation, drop it from about a quarter of a meter onto a lino floor or a soft wooden board...

It will impact at just over 7 ft/sec and stop in maybe 1/16" ... figure the linear deceleration just for fun ...

xpatUSA wrote:

furtle wrote:

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode. It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Some applied vibration (less than 50G recommended) might do it, Steve.

For example held onto a: car engine, electric sander, electric jigsaw, kitchen appliance, etc., while trying to focus.

https://www.hansfordsensors.com/resources/vibration-calculator/

Enter frequency and amplitude - get acceleration (G)

Then there is the "calibrated tap" method. With the camera powered up and failing to focus, tap it repeatedly from different directions with the wooden hand of, say, a file or small hammer.

Finally, and in desperation, drop it from about a quarter of a meter onto a lino floor or a soft wooden board...

It will impact at just over 7 ft/sec and stop in maybe 1/16" ... figure the linear deceleration just for fun ...

Thanks, Ted.  It's very dead now.  It'll turn on and the lens extends and that's it.  The back screen is black apart from the manual focus distance scale.  I can't turn it off again but eventually, it shuts itself down.

I'll try your angle grinder advice and cut it up.

Ceistinne wrote:

furtle wrote:

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode. It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks

furtle,

Lack of use must have caused some part to seize up or some electrical contact has corroded or carbonised.

S

Thank you.  I didn't use it too much, so, probably you're right.  Shame really.  Another DP1s bites the dust.

furtle wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

furtle wrote:

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode. It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Some applied vibration (less than 50G recommended) might do it, Steve.

For example held onto a: car engine, electric sander, electric jigsaw, kitchen appliance, etc., while trying to focus.

https://www.hansfordsensors.com/resources/vibration-calculator/

Enter frequency and amplitude - get acceleration (G)

Then there is the "calibrated tap" method. With the camera powered up and failing to focus, tap it repeatedly from different directions with the wooden hand of, say, a file or small hammer.

Finally, and in desperation, drop it from about a quarter of a meter onto a lino floor or a soft wooden board...

It will impact at just over 7 ft/sec and stop in maybe 1/16" ... figure the linear deceleration just for fun ...

Thanks, Ted. It's very dead now. It'll turn on and the lens extends and that's it. The back screen is black apart from the manual focus distance scale. I can't turn it off again but eventually, it shuts itself down.

I'll try your angle grinder advice and cut it up.

Sad to hear, Steve.

I enjoyed a DP1s for about a year but sold it when I downsized in a fit of pique ...

furtle wrote:

xpatUSA wrote:

furtle wrote:

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode. It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Some applied vibration (less than 50G recommended) might do it, Steve.

For example held onto a: car engine, electric sander, electric jigsaw, kitchen appliance, etc., while trying to focus.

https://www.hansfordsensors.com/resources/vibration-calculator/

Enter frequency and amplitude - get acceleration (G)

Then there is the "calibrated tap" method. With the camera powered up and failing to focus, tap it repeatedly from different directions with the wooden hand of, say, a file or small hammer.

Finally, and in desperation, drop it from about a quarter of a meter onto a lino floor or a soft wooden board...

It will impact at just over 7 ft/sec and stop in maybe 1/16" ... figure the linear deceleration just for fun ...

Thanks, Ted. It's very dead now. It'll turn on and the lens extends and that's it. The back screen is black apart from the manual focus distance scale. I can't turn it off again but eventually, it shuts itself down.

I'll try your angle grinder advice and cut it up.

flex cable bit the dust common problem in dpX . if you shcke camera and hear rattling noise that would be sure indication of it.

Roger wrote:

furtle wrote:

I have a DP1s in near mint condition that no longer focuses either in auto or manual mode. It worked perfectly well, it was put in a cupboard and now doesn't focus at all.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks

Greetings

Was if left on when stored? If so it keep trying to AF till it died. It might be able to be repaired or sell for parts.

Good Luck Roger J

No, battery was out of it.  It'll join my growing pile of digital junk.  Nokia Communicators etc....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lens-Focus-Shutter-Release-Flex-Cable-Ribbon-for-Sigma-DP1-DP1S-Great-Repair-/164671973251

this is the part which causes trouble not easy to replace

Ulvervs wrote:

Had the same problem, but i have a local Sigma authorized repair service in city, and it happened on the last month of warranty, so i left it for repair and couple days later had it back like brand new, till now it works just fine without any problems after so many years.

As i remember correctly the AF cable was detached from the socket, and one square nut was also loose. The service guy told me that he just changed this cable to new one as a precaution for the longer future use, and secured the screw with glue, because it was recommended in service manual. They even cleaned my sensor from dust, and i payed nothing for it

You should try to find service manual, in which you will find a dissasembly procedure, if it's not on the internet, just ask your local Sigma repair service for the one, maybe they will send you SM in pdf file as this product is discountined for so many years, and they would not bother to repair it anyway, as a paid service, because of the problem of getting spare parts.

If it will not be possible then read all the posts on this forum about the same problem, there were many discussions in this topic here even with pictures and information at what steps of disassembly you must watch out, and start openning the camera and make detailed description with sketches where any part must be used in the process of assembly (every step with picture on your phone). Then you will find the problem and be able to repair it. The new AF cable on ebay costs about 5£ so you can repair it by yourself, just remember to have a set of small screwdrivers and be very careful.

You will not loose more, but you have a chance to repair it.

Best regards,

Ulvervs

Thank you Ulvervs!  Great advice.  I'll park it in my 'to do bin" when I have completed my other more pressing tasks suggested by SWMBO.

To be honest, my more modern Sigma cameras are great and I include in those the fp.  In fact, its a really lovely and convenient  camera.  Yes, yes, I know it's got a Bayer sensor .....