Photographer's Troubleshooting Guide : FAQ : Sony New Zealand

DSLR-A100, DSLR-A100K, DSLR-A100W, DSLR-A200, DSLR-A200K, DSLR-A200W, DSLR-A230L, DSLR-A230Y, DSLR-A300, DSLR-A300K, DSLR-A300X, DSLR-A330L, DSLR-A330Y, DSLR-A350, DSLR-A350K, DSLR-A350X, DSLR-A380L, DSLR-A380Y, DSLR-A450, DSLR-A450L, DSLR-A450Y, DSLR-A500, DSLR-A500L, DSLR-A500Y, DSLR-A550, DSLR-A550L, DSLR-A550Y, DSLR-A700, DSLR-A700K, DSLR-A700P, DSLR-A850, DSLR-A900, SLT-A33, SLT-A33L, SLT-A33Y, SLT-A55V, SLT-A55VL, SLT-A55VY

The shutter will not release
The picture taken shows reflections or flare
Colour Issue
Focus and sharpness issue
Exposure issues

The shutter will not release

Several parameters may lead to a non proper shutter release. Please check the followings:

Battery:
Make sure that the battery is charged. Recharge the battery completely.
Lens:
Make sure that the lens is properly fitted. If the camera does not detect the lens, the shutter cannot be released.
If you are using 3rd party lenses, make sure that they are compatible with your camera.
For more information please contact the manufacturer of your lens.
Telescope or similar attachment fitted:
The camera is not able to detect this type of attachment, so the shutter cannot be released unless Shutter Lock is disabled. You can disable the Shutter lock from the custom menu.
Focus:
If priority mode is set to focus, the shutter will not release until the subject is correctly focused. In dark environments, auto focusing may take longer. In this case, it is advisable that you select Release Priority in custom menu or use Manual Focus.
No memory card in the camera:
A memory card needs to be inserted in the camera. If you wish to use the camera without a card (to clean the mirror, for instance, disable Shutter Lock-No card in the custom menu.
Memory card capacity:
Make sure there is enough space on the memory card. If there is no space enough to take a picture, shutter will not release.
Memory card locked:
Some memory cards can be locked to protect the data stored on it. Make sure that the card inserted in the camera is not locked.
Buffer memory:
If you take continuous pictures in RAW mode, pictures will first be stored in the buffer memory of the camera before they are written on the memory card. When the buffer is full, pictures will be written on the memory card. During that writing process, it is not possible to take a picture.
Card is busy:
If you have taken a lot of pictures, these pictures need to be written on the memory card. During this process, it is not possible to take picture. You will need to wait or to use a high speed writing memory card.
Flash:
The shutter cannot be released while the flash is charging. This process may take longer if the battery is low or if you have just made a sequence of flash exposures.

The picture taken shows reflections or flare

Several causes may explain reflections or flare:

Lens:
Reflections and flare are more likely with a zoom than with a prime lens, because there are more glass/air surfaces. You are also more likely to encounter flare with a wide angle lens than with a telephoto.
Filter:
Budget filters can sometimes cause reflections. Coated and multi-coated filters are better. Try a different filter.
No lens hood:
Lens hoods shade the front element and reduce the risk of reflection. Use a lens hood.
Light source in or near the image frame:
Reflections are sometimes unavoidable if there is a bright light (sun, spotlight, etc.) pointing towards the camera from in front. Try shooting from a different angle.
Reflective surface near the camera:
Water, a beach, snow, a glass or polished surfaces can all reflect light into the lens and cause flare. Using a polarized filter can reduce, but may not totally remove reflections.
Photographing through a window (from a car, train, etc.):
Windows can reflect light from the interior as well as from outside. Using a polarized filter can reduce, but may not totally remove reflections.
Flash:
Sometimes, flash can be reflected from windows, light fittings, or any reflecting surface in the room, even if they are not in the frame. Try shooting from a different angle.
Damaged lens or filter:
Scratches on the front surface of a lens or filter can cause reflections, depending on the angle at which the light strikes the surface. Remove or replace the filter or the lens or try shooting from a different angle.

Colour Issue

If the overall colour of the scene is wrong, this may be caused by the following:

Auto White Balance is incorrect:
A strongly coloured subject within the scene may be affecting the AWB reading. Also, certain types of light (e.g. tungsten) are difficult to meter on AWB. In those cases, use preset White Balance.
A filter is attached to the camera:
Some types of filters may affect the Auto White Balance reading. Remove the filter or use preset WB.
Street or factory lighting:
Industrial lighting such as mercury vapour or sodium vapour emits light in a very narrow band of colour. It is impossible to reproduce colour faithfully under this kind of lighting. It is therefore advisable to use flash is the subject is close enough.

If individual colours are not correct, although most of the scene is OK, this may be due to:

Interference from other parts of the scene:
A very strong or prevalent colour may affect the reproduction of colours of adjacent subjects. Try photographing from a different angle or in another location.
Hardware limitations:
The colour may be outside the range that can be reproduced by your monitor or printer. Try a different monitor or printer.

If colours are not as vivid as you expected:

Camera settings do not match your taste:
The camera allows you to choose various levels of colour saturation. Set the camera settings from the menu to suit your preference.

Focus and sharpness issue
If your pictures are blurry or subject is not sharp, check the following:

Using a tripod can really improve your pictures or make sure that the Super Steady Shot is engaged.
If the camera does not autofocus, check that you have selected AF(Auto Focus) instead of MF (Manual Focus).
If you have attached a telescope, for instance, be aware that it cannot be autofocused. You will need to use the manual focus.
Make sure that the lens you attached to your camera is autofocus.
Make sure that the lens is properly attached to the camera body. Remove the lens and refit it.
If you use other manufacturer's lenses, make sure that they are fully compatible with your camera body. Contact the manufacturer of your lens for more information.
If you have attached a filter and the focus is not correct, try without the filter. Some filters may affect the auto focus.
Sometimes condensation may affect the focus. Wait until the camera reach the ambient temperature.
In dark environments, focus may not be as effective as in a bright environment. To optimize focusing in dark environments, increase light level or use flash and AF illuminator.
Some objects cannot be focused, such as clouds or fog.
If you take macro photographs, check that you are at a minimum distance.
The entire picture is blurry: this may occur if you used a long telephoto lens. Use a tripod or make sure that the Super Steady Shot is activated (Do not use a tripod and the Super Steady Shot together: make sure to deactivate the Super Steady Shot when you use a tripod). This may also occur when having long exposure time (night shot, for instance).
If you find that your subject is out of focus, but background is sharp, check that you have selected the correct AF area. You can alternatively use the manual focus to make sure that your subject is sharp.
If you shoot a moving object, switch to continuous AF. Make sure that you track the subject when it is still far away. Doing so will give time for the AF to be properly adjusted.
Make sure you used the correct aperture (f value). A large aperture (lower f value) will blur the background (ideal for portraits, for instance). A small aperture (higher f value) will make the background detailed (for landscape, for instance).

Exposure issues

If your main subject is too dark, but the background is correctly exposed, check the following.

If the subject is against a very light background, it may be underexposed. Take a Spot reading, or use '+' exposure compensation.
If the subject is silhouetted against the sky, it may be underexposed. Meter to exclude the sky, take a Spot reading, or use '+' exposure compensation.
If there is a light source behind the subject, it may be underexposed. Meter to exclude the light source, take a Spot reading, or use '+' exposure compensation. Alternatively, you can use 'fill-in' flash to lighten the shadow areas.

If your main subject is too bright, but the rest of the scene is correctly exposed.

If the subject is against a dark background, it may be overexposed. Take a spot reading, or use '-' exposure compensation.
The subject may be 'spot lit'. Take a Spot reading, or use '-' exposure compensation.

If the entire scene is too dark.

A very bright subject, such as a beach or snow can cause underexposure. Use '+' exposure compensation.
If the speed or aperture value blinks on the display, the setting is outside the range required by the lighting conditions. Adjust the speed or aperture till it stops blinking.
If you are using Manual Exposure mode, check your meter reading and settings.

If the entire scene is too light.

A very dark subject, such as a black car, can cause overexposure. Use '-' exposure compensation.
If the speed or aperture value blinks on the display, the setting is outside the range required by the lighting conditions. Adjust the speed or aperture till it stops blinking.
If you are using Manual Exposure mode, check your meter reading and settings.

If your flash pictures are too dark.

You may be too far away. Move closer, set a higher ISO, or select a larger aperture (smaller f number).
A light background can cause underexposure. Use '+' flash compensation.

If your flash pictures are too light.

You may be too close. Move further away, set a lower ISO, or select a smaller aperture (larger f number).
A dark background can cause overexposure. Use '-' flash compensation.

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