Dimage 7i problem

[cbo72]

Hi,

when I fire up my Dimage 7i, both viewfinder and the rear screen show up almost completely dark in recording mode. I can only slightly tell the contours when focusing on very bright objects. Changing both aperture and shutterspeed in 'Manual' mode does not help at all. In playback mode both viewfinder and screen show previously taken pictures perfectly. I have tried to 'reboot' the camera by removing the battteries for some minutes and reinstall the latest firmware 1.11e, but nothing helps. Have anyone experienced similar symptons and maybe know, what the problem might be?

regards,

Chris

[iami3k]

I think I have the same problem. After not using my camera for about a month, I turned it on last night and on the LCD screen all could see is big time extortion not like out of focus but you cant see anything on the screen or the eye viewer...however previously taken pictures can be viewed perfectly. I also took some pictures to see how they come out and they come out exactly like the LCD shows it...all extorted.. can't see anything. I'm thinking it's the firmware upgrade. Last thing i did was the firmware upgrade and it was successful and everything seemed to be in working condition...and the problem appeared last night when I turned the cam on. Is there a way to reset the firmware update?

[GeeH]

I also have the problem and have asked the advice of a camera repairer. It would seem that the chip has failed. What that means is that the component part which includes the chip has malfunctioned or has appeared to have malfunctioned. The strange thing was that the camera did not malfunctioon the first time I showed the camera to the tech. It had for two weeks before but behaved OK in his shop. It failed immediately I left the building - weird! I think it may have something to do with the batteries. Since the repair is very expensive if it involves replacing the chip any alternative is preferable. So I am just about to reload the firmware, my camera had been using the update for about a year, and use a plug-in power source. Dont hold your breath though cause I think it has died. RIP? Did either of you guys have any luck?

[Frank S UK]

Hi I have a similar problem in that my camera is showing a grossly overexposed image in full day light (almost totaly washed out), but will take reasonable images in lower light level conditions. All may not be lost in this case. I understand there is a reset button hidden inside the camera. It may be required to send it to the maker to get it reset. I will try to find out about it and post here in two weeks time after I get back from holiday.
In the meantime if anyone does manage to find out about this from Konica Minolta do let me in on it.
Thanks and good luck.
**********************************************
GREAT NEWS!
rjsing Says in his post that KM will fix your camera free of charge. Visit his post to get the link and don't forget to say thanks to rj.

[tin4578]

I think I have the same problem. I had not used my camera for a month or so and when I tried to use it today, I cannot see anything on the LCD and view finder even if I charged my batteries and modified the settings. I can view the pictures I had taken previously though.

I'll visit the Konica Minolta repair shop this weekend and will share whatever I find out. I do hope it has nothing to do with the chip!

Good luck to us all.

[GeeH]

Tried reloading firmware and using a non-battery power source. All to no avail. I guess others would have posted if they had a solution. Good luck to you Tin; will be interesting to hear what your tech says. Strange thing with mine is that it did come back to life after the initial failure and the pictures were perfect. It did not last and is now u/s. Just got to be a contact somewhere and perhaps not at micro chip level. Does anyone know how to open the case without creating a pile of bits? (No pun intended) Cheers.

[tin4578]

Geeh, I just learned that Minolta service center had moved to another location when I went to the building where I had my previous Minolta F100 camera checked. Anyway, I asked around and one of my friends told me that a somewhat similar thing happened to his non-digital Minolta camera. Like pictures taken were all black even if the camera had power and the problem was that the shutter got stuck. He would visit the service center this week and will let me know what he gathers. I am still hopeful...

[rjsingh]

I have a similar problem in my 7i. I posted it on another forum and someone has suggested a reset procedure. I have not tried it, but will surely do it tonight. If someone gets a chance please try in the meanwhile.

Here is the link:-

www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=151930&messageid=1050879577

[tin4578]

I tried the instructions in the link but it did not work. I was able to transfer the pictures from my camera to my pc and I can change settings in my camera so I am not quite sure if it's the software that has an issue. Could be the shutter or lens, but I would still have to confirm once I get information from the service center.

[rjsingh]

OK, I tried this method and it did not work for me too. The status remains the same. Request please post your findings.

[tin4578]

I called the Minolta Helpline in US and the guy told me that it seems like the camera needs to be repaired. Minor repairs are like $90 and standard repairs are around $200. I guess I will have to find service centers in Asia and check out how much it's gonna cost to repair my camera.

[rjsingh]

I got the same reply from the Konica Repair center in California. Repairs would be anywhere between 90-200 dollars. Looks like a CCD problem. I was wondering if we could all get together and somehow complain to Konica Minolta about this issue. There are other people who are having similar problems on 7Hi too. And this does not look like a mishandling issue. It is more of a design fault in my opinion. It is a very expensive product and if the testing and simulation has not been doen properly then the customers should not be the ones to suffer. I am really very upset and will never ever purchase a Minolta Product in future..

[rjsingh]

Hello All,

Maybe a bit of good news at last. Konica Minolta has issued a Service Advisory.
Please check the following link and proceed accordingly.

dcviews.com/press/Konica-Minolta-Oct05.htm

[Frank S UK]

Thanks very much for the info rj, it's a great relief!

[wollmann]

Hey Everyone.

I have about the same problem but wanted to check if anyone know if KM willl change my CCD too.

I have a 7Hi and I see only white on the screen when in rec mode. when I take the pic it is black with an orange strip at the top.

KM says the problem they know of and that they are replacing for free is a blur when taking a pic.

anyone know if my problem fits to the alert and if they will fix my Camera?

Thank you in advance