planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I just got an estimate from Chrysler Camera for my a99ii with intermittent camera lock-up issues. It would be $830 for parts, labor and shipping to replace the mirror box, and main circuit board. I could just about get a used mirrorless for that, but I'd need to buy an adapter and my current lenses wouldn't work as well because they wouldn't match the system (mostly focus issues). The positives are that I'd practically be getting a brand new 42MP camera and wouldn't have to replace any of my lenses. I never expected it would cost so much to repair a used camera! I already paid $17.25 to ship it there from STL. I should get my rented RX10iv today or tomorrow from Lensrentals for my trip this weekend to Oshkosh.

bnsf

What you should look at first is contact Sony and see what they would charge you for replacing the parts that you need along with asking them if the parts from the 77i will work for this camera also. Then check Craig's list for used Sony a99ii cameras in your area and just maybe you could find a camera with a low shutter count so you can keep everything you own

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

At least you will know that the repaired camera is in 100% condition.
A used camera could have the same issues after a few uses as you currently have.

bnsf

I do have a a99ii and a RX10M4. I really enjoy the RX10M4. Great for action shots. They have a built in 4x setting so at full extension the 600mm becomes 2400mm lens. If you do purchase the RX10M4 there is a company that sells the manual in two spiral bound books. I have these books and they are great.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

When I was working in the repair shop, our guidline for repair feasibility was that even the most serious repair should not exceed half the price of a new replacement device. We did make exceptions for rebuilds and refurbs in cases where the customer insisted. And I've had a couple of repairs made that weren't really financially justifiable, just because it was a recovery project or that for some reason I liked the old product better than its newer incarnation.

Did Chrysler explain what they think happened? It's a little bit unusual to have to replace both mechanical and electronic parts, unless the faulure of one caused the other to also fail.

The cost of parts for this repair does not seem particularly out of line for a Sony repair. Their parts availability is on a pretty highly consolidated basis...requiring replacement of an entire subsystem when replacement of a component would be sufficient to restore operation.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I contacted Sony from Egypt while I was on vacation, performed their suggested fix to reset the system but didn't work. When I got back I called them up and they recommended Precision camera (or something like that). They had bad reviews, so I went with Chrysler because a few UHHers recommended them. I have an a77, but I really don't want to cannibalize it even though it needed a new shutter at some time in the past. Both my cameras were bought used (at least I think I bought the a77 used - it was a while ago). On Ebay, a used a99ii runs from $1.5k-3k for the body...the repair would be about 1//2 of that. Just kind of depressing, though. Craig's List doesn't have anything that I saw in my area.

gwilliams6

FYI, Precision Cameras is Sony's main authorized and warranty service center in the USA, and the largest camera repair service in the world, performing authorized and warranty work for all brands including Nikon and Canon.

My experiences with Precision with my Nikon, Canon and Sony gear has been exemplary, with quality work done and returned promptly. It may have helped that I have been a professional member of NPS, CPS, and SPS in my career.
As long as Chrysler warranties their work, you should be fine.

And even though Sony has ended any further development of its A-mount lineup, if you have a lot of favorite A-mount lenses and still love your A-mount camera, continue to use it and be happy. Adapted A-mount lens will work Ok on E-mount with the adaptors, but not as well as E-mount lenses.

One of my good friends is Canadian photographer and inspirational Youtube visual creator , Rachel Lerch. She is an avid Sony A99II user and has resisted the urge to move to E-mount, and she does a great job with her gear.

You all should check Rachel Lerch out online, whatever gear you use.
https://www.youtube.com/@RachelLerch/videos

Cheers and best to you all.

jackpinoh Loc: Kettering, OH 45419

I have used Precision Cameras before. Their service was fast and reasonably priced.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Bingo!!

leftj Loc: Texas

One option to consider is sell your lenses if they cannot be made fully functional on a mirrorless with an adapter and buy a slightly used mirrorless and a couple or three mirrorless lenses.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

[quote

Did Chrysler explain what they think happened? It's a little bit unusual to have to replace both mechanical and electronic parts, unless the faulure of one caused the other to also fail.

[/quote]

I'll call them or e-mail them today and try to find out. It'd be interesting to find out (if possible) how many shutter actuations were on the camera...shooting airshows (~90-95% of my pics) I've usually used the high-speed shutter at 12fps. I DO like my camera and wouldn't mind an upgrade, but getting something brand new and replacing my lenses (one of which I added last year) would cost me five figures...maybe something I'd consider as a retirement gift to myself. I guess I could look at it this way - the repair cost of my camera is cheaper than my car insurance on my 10-year-old Ford Focus and about 1/3 of what I originally paid for it used from B&H (Adorama?) however long ago that was. Nothing lasts forever.

marciamyers Loc: Georgetown, In.

What is the company that sells the spiral bound manuals? I could definitely use them.

marciamyers Loc: Georgetown, In.

bnsf
Company that sells Those manuals?

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

That sounds just like the Panasonic FZ-200 I bought used for my trip to Israel in 2016. I haven't used it much since because it felt too small in my hands (kept hitting the wrong buttons) and it only went down to f/8.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Doing a major repair for 1/3 of the original purchase price seems reasonable to me, even though it is a significant amount. You may be closer to half of the OPP when labor gets added in. Still, that gets your familiar (and apparently pretty well-liked) camera back in operation. Once that's done, you can consider an upgrade/update in a more rational manner, and you have a saleable camera and lenses to offset some of the cost if you do decide on a change.

My vote would be to do the repair. (Of course, I realize that I'm voting with your money.)