HELP!!! Sony alpha a700 DSLR problem: Bought a used a700 from B&H a few weeks ago, and can't get it to work. Had a half hour call with B&H and they couldn't figure out what's wrong.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Bought a used a700 from B&H a few weeks ago, and can't get it to work. Had a half hour call with B&H and they couldn't figure out what's wrong. Consulted the manual, and no help. The camera takes both Compact Flash Cards and Memory Sticks. It has a CFC in it now, and I have tried 2 different cards, one of them brand new. When I press the shutter button, I get an error message saying "No Memory Stick. Shutter Locked." So it's looking for a memory stick that's not there, and not seeing the CFC. The other thing is in the Menu: there are numbers and icons. The icons are a camera, wheel (gear) and wrench, and there is no way I can find of using the joystick to get to any of the icons and their functions. B&H said I may have to return the camera if the issue can't be solved. That's a last resort.
ANYBODY? HELP!!!!! Thanks>Alan

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Is there any chance that a sliding "lock" on one edge of the CFC card needs to be "unlocked"?

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Duplicate, sorry.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

rjaywallace wrote:

Is there any chance that a sliding "lock" on one edge of the CFC card needs to be "unlocked"?

Thanks for your suggestion. I checked both CFCs and there are no moving parts. >Alan

Rongnongno Loc: FL

In any case, this a defective camera otherwise at least one card would work.

Send it back.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Rongnongno wrote:

In any case, this a defective camera otherwise at least one card would work.

Send it back.

Thanks! Looks like the best option. But a remaining question you may know the answer to: The camera takes CFCs and Memory sticks. Seems like it should be smart enough to figure out which of the two is in there. Do you agree? >Alan

Rongnongno Loc: FL

aellman wrote:

Thanks! Looks like the best option. But a remaining question you may know the answer to: The camera takes CFCs and Memory sticks. Seems like it should be smart enough to figure out which of the two is in there. Do you agree? >Alan

Yes.

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

aellman wrote:

Thanks! Looks like the best option. But a remaining question you may know the answer to: The camera takes CFCs and Memory sticks. Seems like it should be smart enough to figure out which of the two is in there. Do you agree? >Alan

Yes I agree, it should be smart enough to realize it's got a memory card in it.

The only other thought I have is to try a memory stick. Perhaps if it gets its memory stick it will suddenly unlock and start working.

That shouldn't stop you from sending it back, I see that as a defect even if it does work, but it might at least give you an idea of what's wrong.

Good Luck!

aellman Loc: Boston MA

Bugfan wrote:

Yes I agree, it should be smart enough to realize it's got a memory card in it.

The only other thought I have is to try a memory stick. Perhaps if it gets its memory stick it will suddenly unlock and start working.

That shouldn't stop you from sending it back, I see that as a defect even if it does work, but it might at least give you an idea of what's wrong.

Good Luck!

THANKS! >Alan

dreamon

I think your problem might just be a bent pin in the camera, which could explain why the camera doesn't recognize the card. It might be hard to see, but with a flashlight, see if you can spot it.

aellman Loc: Boston MA

dreamon wrote:

I think your problem might just be a bent pin in the camera, which could explain why the camera doesn't recognize the card. It might be hard to see, but with a flashlight, see if you can spot it.

Thanks. After a tech at B&H couldn't figure it out, he said I should return it. >Alan

aellman Loc: Boston MA

aellman wrote:

Bought a used a700 from B&H a few weeks ago, a... (show quote)

The problem is resolved as of Nov 21. The camera is going back to B&H.
Thank goodness for their 30 day return policy!

Thanks to all who sent suggestions. >Alan