Help: Cybershot "Dark Spot" Problem

[jmpraetorian]

I have a Cybershot 7.2mp and I've been having a problem I hope someone could help me with.

There seems to be a dark transparent spot on all my pictures, it also shows up on the LCD screen when taking pics. It seems to get darker when zoomed. I thought it was the lens but I bought a cleaning kit and it didn't phase it. Someone suggested a "dead spot on the ccd chip" but I'm not tech savvy so I don't know. Nothing drastic has happened to the camera, no dropping or taking pictures on the beach during a windstorm LOL....I'm at a loss and it's really annoying when it comes up on every pic. Here's some images of what it does...

http://webpages.charter.net/jmayle/jm/cam1.JPG

http://webpages.charter.net/jmayle/jm/cam2.JPG

[davew]

That is how i see things when i get bad migranes lol

[p03designs]

hows the lens? are u sure its clean? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm it might be a dead spot too.. i dunno.. lets wait for some replies

[davew]

hows the lens? are u sure its clean? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm it might be a dead spot too.. i dunno.. lets wait for some replies

I'd say that also if the lense is clean, I would take that back ASAP to the store

[American Nomad]

jmpraetorian,

I had the same problem with my P-200. Five months after purchasing it I had to return it to Sony for a waranty repair. A year later it is still working fine. They said they soldered a part in place so I'm not sure if it was a dust problem with the CCD or lens or what, but it is OK now.

Go to this link at the Sony web site.http://esupport.sony.com/EN/feedback/feedback.html

Look down the page and you will see a listing for "Digital Video and Imaging"

Go to the chat function and you can talk to a Sony tech who will trouble shoot your problem. If he can't resolve your issue he may recommend returning the camera for repair.

Good luck. Let us know what they say.

[jmpraetorian]

Thanks for the help guys. It was purchased over a year ago so I figure the warranty is now void. I'll check that Sony sight out though and see what they say.

[American Nomad]

If you want to try to fix the problem yourself and save the bucks that Sony will charge, I have included a link to a web site for cleaning the P-150. It is just about the same camera with just a few differences. I'm not sure if I would be brave enough to take my camera apart but aparantly someone has and with good results. Good luck!

http://www.geocities.com/ihillway/


I just rechecked this site and at the bottom of the page is a link to instructions for cleaning the P-200!

[jmpraetorian]

That's a heck of a page, and it sounds like exactly my problem except the fact that he said it only happened when he zoomed in. I'm thinking mine is a bigger piece of dust/dirt so it shows up more prominent when unzoomed.

I think I'll give it a try soon, when I get the right tools and get up enough guts LOL. It's my only camera and I use it to take pictures for ebay, which is my only income, so if I break something I'm financially dead in the water :eek:

Thanks so much for the find, I can't repay you enough :-)