z1u dirt inside lens ? at DVinfo.net

Frank Kiss · February 22nd, 2008, 12:34 PM

Hi
My z1u has dirt inside the front lens. Is there a way to remove the lens and clean it?

An other post I found on google said that the z1u and fx1 have flakeing inside the lens and stick to the lens etc.

If this is a sony z1u defect, will sony repair it for free.

Also could this cause a zoom focus problem.

Frank Kiss · March 16th, 2008, 03:40 PM

The z1u lens assembly can be cleaned, after the lens is removed from the body there are only five screws and one flexible cable that is stuck with double sided tape to the electronic plastic assy. part.
There are two long guide pins and a white nylon clip on gear that just slips on the motor shaft , and moves the zoom lens. and what a cheap part for a $5000.00 camcorder. The dirt or fungus that is in the center of the zoom lens and front lens can then be cleaned and dust removed. Other sites report that the z1u and fx1 have this problem and maybe a Sony defect. Particles from inside the lens fall and stick to the lens. The lens assembly should be sealed from dust and moisture, but I can see that it is not the case, or dust and moisture are in there during manufacture letting fungus grow.

Monday Isa · March 16th, 2008, 07:48 PM

Frank I have a similar problem like your Z1 has or had. So your telling me you disconnected the lens and cleaned it or you had someone do it?

Theodore McNeil · June 18th, 2008, 12:57 PM

I just found I have this problem too... A spec inside the camera lens. Like Isa said - Does anyone do we recommend opening up the camera ourselves or do we send it to sony?

Btw, My Z1u is off warranty...

Edit: I just noticed we are all based Maryland. May be this a geographical problem? ;)

Monday Isa · June 18th, 2008, 01:08 PM

Now that is Scary! (^_^)

Yes any recommendations would be great.

Theodore McNeil · June 18th, 2008, 01:26 PM

Well, Monday I got an answer...

I just got off the phone with a Sony engineer named Matt. He said send it in for repair and DO NOT OPEN IT YOURSELF unless you really really know what you are doing. He said you could end with a much higher repair bill if you mess it up. Looks like my Sony is making a trip to New Jersey.

And he hasn't noticed any connection between Maryland and Z1U.

Monday Isa · June 18th, 2008, 01:43 PM

I figured that was what might have to happen. How much did they quote you on the repair? I remember reading one post on another forum that it cost one guy 1,100 because they had to repair the lens :(

Theodore McNeil · June 18th, 2008, 03:08 PM

I just sent it off. They're are supposed to fax me a quote as soon they get it. I'll post the the results as soon as i get them...

Monday Isa · June 18th, 2008, 03:16 PM

Thanks Theodore

Theodore McNeil · June 23rd, 2008, 05:19 PM

Just got the email from Sony. $967 to remove the spot. Yeesh. Glad it's not my money.

I work for a government channel so the camera is covered by them and it's tax exempt. They have to replace the entire lens element. Takes them 2 1/2 hours @ $135 an hour, the replacement element costs around $650 then there is shipping and insurance. (sorry for lack of specific #'s, the invoice is at work)

So if you can live with your spot - I'd consider taking the repair money and putting it into your next camera fund.

I have add - the Sony people have been nothing but nice and the service is pretty quick. I posted the camera at 4:40PM Wednesday and got a repair estimate Monday at 11AM.

Monday Isa · June 23rd, 2008, 06:40 PM

That is horrible news. As you said a good reason to put the repair cost to another camcorder (^_^). Thanks Theodore I owe you one.

Monday

February 22nd, 2008, 12:34 PM	#1
Frank Kiss New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD Posts: 13	z1u dirt inside lens ? Hi My z1u has dirt inside the front lens. Is there a way to remove the lens and clean it? An other post I found on google said that the z1u and fx1 have flakeing inside the lens and stick to the lens etc. If this is a sony z1u defect, will sony repair it for free. Also could this cause a zoom focus problem.

March 16th, 2008, 03:40 PM	#2
Frank Kiss New Boot Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: MD Posts: 13	z1u lens assy The z1u lens assembly can be cleaned, after the lens is removed from the body there are only five screws and one flexible cable that is stuck with double sided tape to the electronic plastic assy. part. There are two long guide pins and a white nylon clip on gear that just slips on the motor shaft , and moves the zoom lens. and what a cheap part for a $5000.00 camcorder. The dirt or fungus that is in the center of the zoom lens and front lens can then be cleaned and dust removed. Other sites report that the z1u and fx1 have this problem and maybe a Sony defect. Particles from inside the lens fall and stick to the lens. The lens assembly should be sealed from dust and moisture, but I can see that it is not the case, or dust and moisture are in there during manufacture letting fungus grow.

June 18th, 2008, 12:57 PM	#4
Theodore McNeil Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Centreville, Maryland Posts: 258	I just found I have this problem too... A spec inside the camera lens. Like Isa said - Does anyone do we recommend opening up the camera ourselves or do we send it to sony? Btw, My Z1u is off warranty... Edit: I just noticed we are all based Maryland. May be this a geographical problem? ;) __________________ http://twitter.com/tedmcneil

June 18th, 2008, 01:26 PM	#6
Theodore McNeil Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Centreville, Maryland Posts: 258	Well, Monday I got an answer... I just got off the phone with a Sony engineer named Matt. He said send it in for repair and DO NOT OPEN IT YOURSELF unless you really really know what you are doing. He said you could end with a much higher repair bill if you mess it up. Looks like my Sony is making a trip to New Jersey. And he hasn't noticed any connection between Maryland and Z1U. __________________ http://twitter.com/tedmcneil

June 18th, 2008, 03:08 PM	#8
Theodore McNeil Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Centreville, Maryland Posts: 258	I just sent it off. They're are supposed to fax me a quote as soon they get it. I'll post the the results as soon as i get them... __________________ http://twitter.com/tedmcneil

March 16th, 2008, 07:48 PM	#3
Monday Isa Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 913	Frank I have a similar problem like your Z1 has or had. So your telling me you disconnected the lens and cleaned it or you had someone do it?

June 18th, 2008, 01:08 PM	#5
Monday Isa Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 913	Now that is Scary! (^_^) Yes any recommendations would be great.

June 18th, 2008, 01:43 PM	#7
Monday Isa Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 913	I figured that was what might have to happen. How much did they quote you on the repair? I remember reading one post on another forum that it cost one guy 1,100 because they had to repair the lens :(

June 18th, 2008, 03:16 PM	#9
Monday Isa Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 913	Thanks Theodore

June 23rd, 2008, 05:19 PM	#10
Theodore McNeil Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Centreville, Maryland Posts: 258	Just got the email from Sony. $967 to remove the spot. Yeesh. Glad it's not my money. I work for a government channel so the camera is covered by them and it's tax exempt. They have to replace the entire lens element. Takes them 2 1/2 hours @ $135 an hour, the replacement element costs around $650 then there is shipping and insurance. (sorry for lack of specific #'s, the invoice is at work) So if you can live with your spot - I'd consider taking the repair money and putting it into your next camera fund. I have add - the Sony people have been nothing but nice and the service is pretty quick. I posted the camera at 4:40PM Wednesday and got a repair estimate Monday at 11AM. __________________ http://twitter.com/tedmcneil

June 23rd, 2008, 06:40 PM	#11
Monday Isa Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 913	That is horrible news. As you said a good reason to put the repair cost to another camcorder (^_^). Thanks Theodore I owe you one. Monday