Pan Pan Pan (non life threatening emergency)

[JBW]

There I was trying for a macro of a Chinese Holly blossom when my LCD turned into a 1950's television. Flickering, no vertical hold, a bright green screen alternating with millions of tiny little squares on a multi colored background.

Tried the usual, on and off, pull out battery, flip from finder to LCD. Nothing.

The finder still works so the camera is usable but bending and twisting to look through it will not do my poor old mans back any good at all.

There is no Sony repair shop in the Philippines that I'm aware of.

So does anyone know of a quick and easy fix? If not how about a suggestion or two on other brand entry level (500 to 800 US$) that will accept my Tamron 90mm 272E.

Final option: has anyone anything negative to say about the Sony Alpha a68?

Brian

[Manfred M]

If not how about a suggestion or two on other brand entry level (500 to 800 US$) that will accept my Tamron 90mm 272E.

Your Tamron is manufactured to go on a Sony only. If you plan to go to another camera manufacturer, you will have to buy new lenses.

As for repairing your existing camera, chances are that it will be less expensive to replace than repair. Entry level cameras are essentially "throw away" cameras once the warranty has run out.

Another temporary solution could be to shoot tethered to your laptop, by-passing the camera's screen completely.

[JBW]

Your Tamron is manufactured to go on a Sony only. If you plan to go to another camera manufacturer, you will have to buy new lenses.

As for repairing your existing camera, chances are that it will be less expensive to replace than repair. Entry level cameras are essentially "throw away" cameras once the warranty has run out.

Another temporary solution could be to shoot tethered to your laptop, by-passing the camera's screen completely.

I could do the tethered for indoor. Is there an attachment that would let me use my tamron on a Canon?

[Manfred M]

Is there an attachment that would let me use my tamron on a Canon?

I don't know anything about Sony to Canon adapters.

Why are you looking to switch camera bodies? Sony sensors are generally regarded as being superior to Canon ones.

[JBW]

I don't know anything about Sony to Canon adapters.

Why are you looking to switch camera bodies? Sony sensors are generally regarded as being superior to Canon ones.

Not camera body so much as camera manufacturer. Sony is not well represented in the Philippines. So poorly in fact that one 'Sony' store only sold other manufacturers products.

B&H has told me that there is a way for them to ship me an a68 so i can get one. I was just thinking about accessories.

[billtils]

Brian

Sorry to hear of your LCD problem. It seems that local support of anything photo-tech could be a challenge in which case an a68 would appear to be the way to go (you have too much invested in Sony to change - lenses, CaptureOne version, product familiarity). I don't know anything about B&H, nor do I know how exchange rate will affect the real price to you, but it may be worth checking out this. I have used this company for lots of purchases and their service and (UK) prices are very good.

[JBW]

Brian

Sorry to hear of your LCD problem. It seems that local support of anything photo-tech could be a challenge in which case an a68 would appear to be the way to go (you have too much invested in Sony to change - lenses, CaptureOne version, product familiarity). I don't know anything about B&H, nor do I know how exchange rate will affect the real price to you, but it may be worth checking out this. I have used this company for lots of purchases and their service and (UK) prices are very good.

The exchange rate makes the British company more than 100 Canadian dollars MORE expensive. But it was a nice thought.

[JBW]

Just sent the email to B&H for a Sony Alpha a58. Apparently they have found a way to ship cameras and batteries.

[rpcrowe]

I wish you condolences and congratulations in one posting. Condolences because your camera died and congratulations on your new camera.

I looked up the specs of the A58 and watched a couple of videos on that camera and it seems to be a dandy.

Best of luck with it!

[JBW]

I wish you condolences and congratulations in one posting. Condolences because your camera died and congratulations on your new camera.

I looked up the specs of the A58 and watched a couple of videos on that camera and it seems to be a dandy.

Best of luck with it!

small problem: apparently it's not available in the Philippines. B&H can't legally ship it here nor can anyone else.

[billtils]

Ohhhhhhh

[JBW]

Ohhhhhhh

All may not be lost. M'Lady has a frend coworker coming in from Amercia and he seems amiable to bringing it to us in April

[Manfred M]

small problem: apparently it's not available in the Philippines. B&H can't legally ship it here nor can anyone else.

When did that situation change? I thought the issue originally was the air shipment of Li-on batteries?

[xpatUSA]

All may not be lost. M'Lady has a freind coworker coming in from America and he seems amiable to bringing it to us in April

Meanwhile you could look up Chinese/Hong Kong/Korean equivalent batteries and get some from there, in case her friend is forced to pull the battery en-route.

Like Manfred, I am a bit puzzled because a couple weeks ago I sent a camera by air (via USPS) to the Netherlands with 3 Li-Ion batteries loose in the package. Also last year bought some Kaspar batteries from China or Japan (I forget which).

Not that either circumstance proves anything, of course.

[JBW]

When did that situation change? I thought the issue originally was the air shipment of Li-on batteries?

It never did but the 'experts' at B&H thought they knew a way around it. They didn't.

[JBW]

Meanwhile you could look up Chinese/Hong Kong/Korean equivalent batteries and get some from there, in case her friend is forced to pull the battery en-route.

Like Manfred, I am a bit puzzled because a couple weeks ago I sent a camera by air (via USPS) to the Netherlands with 3 Li-Ion batteries loose in the package. Also last year bought some Kaspar batteries from China or Japan (I forget which).

Not that either circumstance proves anything, of course.

Here's the transcript. B&H states ikt can't ship the camera because of the battery.

"Thank you for contacting B&H, I wanted to follow up with you.



Case Number: 22656307
Question: I am trying to pay online but can't make the link work

------------Begin Transcript------------
: Hello Brian, my name is Raphy S and I'm looking forward to helping you today!
Me: ok
Me: and on the dl quote the address is wrong
Raphy S: With your permission, may I please connect you with a sales specialist who will be able to better assist you with this?
Me: sure
Dan W: Hello. My name is Dan and I will be happy to assist you. Please give me a few moments to look into your inquiry.
Me: it is not Ah Building it is AH Building
Me: Hi Dan you just sent me the quote
Dan W: I am sorry that you are having problems placing the order. Try logging out of your B&H account and then click the link again.
Me: ok but first please correct the address? and what phone number do you have? from me.
Dan W: You can log in later to complete the order and you can also manually update the address online.
Me: ok can we ship other nthan FEDX to the Philippines we are not big NRA supporters
Dan W: Unfortunately no. Fed Ex would be the only option for this order.
Me: such is life. I did not see a shipping quote on the quote you sent.
Dan W: You should see a fee of $50.06 for shipping on the quote.
Me: should and do are two very different things
Me: ok I signerd out and the page tuned up now let me try it
Me: ok I am still getting an invalid pn or Po number I am entering 09956621782 and 729566170
Dan W: Please use phone number: 6390622474
Dan W: That was used on your prior order.
Me: but that is no longer my number
Me: but it does work and it does show shipping
Me: my l;ady is now coming to check the address
Me: how do I correct the address it should read Psychology Dept. Second Floor, AH Building, Silliman University
Dan W: You should see a link to update the address or change it. Just a moment please while I check...
Dan W: There is a link next to "Billing Address" that says "Change Address."
Me: when I go to check out I get a shipping restriction notice.
Dan W: Click that link and you can update the address.
Dan W: What does the restriction say exactly?
Me: I found the link but I don't have a street address
Me: Shipping Restriction
Me: There are currently no shipping methods available to that location due tyo carrier regulations regarding products containing lithium batteries. Please select a different shipping destination or remove these items from your cart.
Dan W: I am sorry for the long delay. I am still checking....
Me: I was told months ago that if I went through the sales dept that this restriction wouild be lifted because iot was Sony that would not allow the camera to be shipped
Me: as well the shipping address will not work with your standard form so i shall have to give it to you and have you correct it
Dan W: I am sorry for the error. Unfortunately we cannot ship this to your country due to the battery.
Me: I stated from the very beginning that it was to be shipped to the Philippines and every one said it could ber if I went through your dept. I'm more than a likttle annoyed.
Dan W: I am sorry for the error. It allowed me to enter it on my end manually. However, I was informed that is no longer the case and our shipping dept would not have sent it.
Me: hjere's an ikdea how about someone open the box, take out the battery, give me a hefty discount for all this stupidity and ship down here
Dan W: Unfortunately we cannot remove anything from the manufacturers package.
Me: perhaps you will connect me to someone in authority who can say yes to my request
Me: what the heck please either connect me to someone in autholrity or give me an email that I can contact them through.
Dan W: There are no managers for chat but you can send an email to: customersupport@bhphoto.com
Me: of course you have a manger there. they wouldn't let you work alone.
Dan W: I meant there are none that can take a chat. You can email my managers at the above address.
------------End Transcript------------





Please let us know if you require any further assistance."

[xpatUSA]

Here's the transcript. B&H states it can't ship the camera because of the battery.

Dan W: Unfortunately we cannot remove anything from the manufacturers package.
Please let us know if you require any further assistance.

Game, Set and Match, eh?

Let me know if I can help in any way ...

... if her friend doesn't come though, I could buy one, take two snaps, and send it to you sans accume as a used camera.

[JBW]

Game, Set and Match, eh?

Let me know if I can help in any way ...

... if her friend doesn't come though, I could buy one, take two snaps, and send it to you sans accume as a used camera.

and we could send you a cheque on our Canadian bank. I always like to have a plan B,

[Manfred M]

It seems to me that this is a FedEx issue and they have no interest in dealing with the complexities of shipping Li-on batteries. I suspect that B&W are using FedEx exclusively for worldwide shipping, so they are stuck with those rules.

I ran into some issues when I ordered a replacement battery for my studio light portable power supply, and this is what is says on the Paul C Buff web page. They ship UPS, and they charge a significant premium for air shipments of those batteries.

https://www.paulcbuff.com/vagabond-air-shipment-info

[JBW]

Could be