DC1200 sensor adjustment needed

[cjmuth]

I have a DC1200 that's about 2 years old, and when zoomed out the photos have a black area along the left side. The black area is curved, reduces and eventually goes away when I zoom in - otherwise it's works fine and the pictures are as good as ever. My guess is the sensor alignment needs to be adjusted. I contacted SeaLife, but since they don't make the DC1200 or parts any more they won't fix it.

Does anyone know where I might be able to find someone that will work on these, or other repair information (manuals, drawings, schematics, etc.)?

 

[DandyDon]

I'm surprised that Sealife wouldn't try to help, even tho it's out of warranty. Did you look for a firmware update?

 

[cjmuth]

Highly unlikely it's a firmware issue - more likely a physical misalignment based on the nature of the problem. Also it's not a warranty that kept Sealife from helping - they don't make this model any longer, nor do they make any of the parts. If I sent them my old camera they did offer to sell me a DC1400 for about what I can buy it off Amazon...

 

[Steve_C]

What lens are you using?

There is a rubber piece on the outer edge of the lens. Had it get knocked out of position once (I fell climbing a hill after a night dive in Greece) and it created that same effect. Gluing the rubber back in position took care of problem. You may have checked that already but if not take a look.

 

[billatcam]

I had exactly this problem with my DC1200 - a big curve on the left side that didn't affect the picture quality and disappeared as it zoomed. I took it to a local repair shop where they discovered that the shutter was broken and replaced it for about $60.00. The problem had started on a dive trip & I remember dropping the camera in the housing - it didn't seem like a hard fall and there was no visible damage to the housing - but obviously sufficient to break the shutter.

 

[Steve_C]

I took it to a local repair shop where they discovered that the shutter was broken and replaced it for about $60.00.

What kind of local repair shop? General camera repair?

 

[billatcam]

Yes -- just general camera repair. On the internet I found a local shop that specializes in camera repair, called them up & went over. The place was filled with repair orders, mostly for point-and-shoot cameras. I showed them the DC1200 and left it, got a call the next day with an estimate & picked it up a week later. It was just business as usual for them. The camera is obviously made by some mainstream company with parts readily available. Who knew ? It's still working great 100 dives later.