My long-suffering Sony A7 III is a workhorse. I do not suppose it needed to be (in as far as cameras have needs). Seven years in the past it was a close to miraculous digicam with inventive powers like 4K, a full-frame sensor and in-body stabilization at a value I may handle. But life has modified, and there was the accident.
The poor digicam spent a variety of its previous couple of years taken without any consideration. I’d wrap it in a fabric, or perhaps a T-shirt, stuff in my bag, and depart it with its customary equipment lens, as a result of it was adequate (and, frankly, then some) to seize the photographs I wanted.
Perhaps that is how I forgot how superb the digicam had appeared on day one. After taking a few product photographs, I simply left it on the desk edge. I moved to make a cuppa and caught the strap by chance, pulled it off the desk edge, the digicam hit the thinly carpeted workplace ground (because it has various occasions earlier than) however this time luck was not on my aspect. Next time I moved to look by way of the viewfinder (sure, I’m old style – I do not actually use the large display screen), the glass overlaying it was cracked.
Frustratingly, the actual Electronic View Finder (EVF) inside seems to be fine. That’s the bit that, instinctively, feels like it ought to be expensive to me. It’s electronic. But, obviously, the idea of shards of glass right next to my eye is more than a little bit worrying. I find my eyes – of which I have a decidedly limited number – quite useful and scraping them against broken glass seems unwise to say the least.
What can I do? Well, cameras can be repaired. So I tried online and got a quote (It was just shy of US$300 – a worry for me in itself since I’m based in the UK and feel like this means my address wasn’t fully understood). Then I decided to visit one of my local London repair centres – Fixation – for a extra reassuringly human expertise. (As a digicam geek I additionally loved the actual fact it’s in a department of Wex, however that can solely be true for yet another week).
Perhaps unfairly, even earlier than arriving, I discover myself instinctively cautious of the costs of many electronics repairs. A digicam appears particular, certain, however it’s digital. And have a look at cellphone repairs – they all the time appear tough to match to the acquisition value. Why does a cellphone display screen – a mere piece of glass – sometimes price a 3rd of the worth of the cellphone? I’ll wager this digicam goes to be related.
What really surprised me, though, was that I left the store knowing only that it’d be a week before I knew! I recall something to the effect that it is going to cost me the wrong side of £140 ($180) before any parts, but not a single guess as to the actual cost was hazzarded by the very professional man on the counter who was only able to warn me that these things fluctuate and I’d revieve a quote in a week and could decied whether to go ahead at the time.
So that leaves me during the already in action Black Friday camera deals season missing my A7 III – and wondering whether I ought to be cutting my losses. Or looking for a cheap new body that will fit my existing lenses, batteries and the like.
It’s also got me into a whole existential thought process about how camera bodies age compared to the drones and action cameras I review – it’s nice that this camera still feels mighty impressive at seven-and-a-half when a drone at two might not!
Anyway, I left without my camera (but I remembered to take my lens and memory card). I still have my original Sony A7 as a backup for the next month (won’t be capturing any 4K on that, but I’ve also got an iPhone 17 Pro Max)
Even then, I will want my old camera in good condition to sell on later, so I think, ultimately, any repair that seems comfortably below the resale value is warranted (even if I will be kicking myself for this seemingly high cost). Kicking myself though – not kicking any cameras off the table!
Check out the best Sony Black Friday deals that we have found so far