PART 10: TROUBLE SHOOTING

The following page (as it stands) will make more sense if you have the official Sony operation manual in front of you. Although it isn't essential.

Where there is an explanation, for your problem, in the Sony manual I have given the page number and if relevant the bullet point describing the feature. So….

p13 (10) means the Sony manual, page 13, item 10 - which shows where the ON/OFF switch can be found.

When I have more time (i.e. when I have the chance to add some diagrams) - there will be links to the appropriate page in this site too.

HELP! I CAN'T SEE A PICTURE

POSSIBLE SOLUTION	PAGE No (BULLET POINT)
Make sure the camera is switched on	p13 (10)
Is there a battery attached
Is the battery charged or empty	p16 (P) or check battery
Is the lens cap still on	!
Is the aperture too small e.g. F11	Try auto iris p27 (13), (14)
Is the aperture ring set to C (i.e. capped up)	Try auto iris p27 (13), (14)
Is the shutter speed on a high setting	Turn it off p12 (5)
Is the filter wheel between filter settings	p12 (3)
Is the filter wheel on 5600K plus neutral density	Try filter 1 or 3 instead
Has the viewfinders brightness or contrast been knocked too low	p29 (10) and (12)
Has the viewfinder cable into the camera been disconnected.	p29 (16)
Are you just pointing at something dark or plain	Zoom out!
Is the shot way out of focus	check focus and/or zoom out

Back to the top.

HELP! NOW I CAN'T HEAR ANY SOUND

POSSIBLE SOLUTION	PAGE No (BULLET POINT)
Are the head phone levels set too low	Turn up monitor p15 (12)
There could be a problem with the headphones	Try a different head set
If you are on manual sound – are the sound levels set too low	Raise level p15 (7) – or try auto sound level p19 (4)
Is MONITOR select to CH1 but you're mic is plugged into CH2 (or visa versa)	Try monitoring MIX p19 (11)
Are the switches at the back set to line, mic or mic +48V	Choose correct setting p25 (5)
Are the channels set to REAR – with no external mic plugged in	Set channels to FRONT p19 (5)
Are the channels set to FRONT – but the front mic has become disconnected	Reconnect p12 (1)
There could be a problem with the microphone	Try a different mic
There could be a problem with the cable	Try a different cable

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PRE FLIGHT CHECKS

Always check that the viewfinder is in focus. Move the EYEPIECE FOCUSING KNOB back and forth (from –3 to 0 diopters) until the viewfinder gives a clear picture.
Adjust the eyepiece so that it is the correct distance from the camera.
Adjust the BRIGHTNESS and CONTRAST of the viewfinder by using the colour bars.
Turn up the PEAKING to make focusing easier.
Switch the ZEBRAS on
Check that you are on MANUAL IRIS (switch is beside the zoom controller)
Check the back focus is correctly set.
Switch

GAIN------------------LOW
OUTPUT-------------BARS then to CAMERA
WHT BAL-----------A OR B
FILTER WHEEL---- 1, 2, 3 or 4
COUNTER----------TIMECODE (SET AT 01 00 00 00 )
TIMECODE---------REC
CH1 AND CH2---MANUAL
CH1-------------------FRONT OR REAR
CH2-------------------FRONT OR REAR
CH1 AND CH2---LINE, MIC OR MIC+48V
SOUND MONITOR SELECT – MIX (to start) CH1 or CH2 to check mics
AUTO IRIS----------STD
BACK TALLY LIGHT---- OFF
FRONT TALLY LIGHT----OFF (ON for PTC)

Check all of your batteries – you should have at least three fully charged camera batteries in your kit along with some spare AA batteries for your microphones.
Check the tripod hot shoe/wedge plate matches the camera. You cannot mix and match one manufacturers hot shoe with another manufacturers camera.
Put a tape in the camera and record at least 1minute of colour bars and tone.
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Move on to ...: Part 11: TRIPODS
...or go back to: Part 9: LIGHTING

Christina Fox