[DAKED]

Been using the TG3 for over a year now with great results. Pocket sized and easy to use. PMB software supplied works well too.

But last week the it refused to take the stills it is capable of doing. Everything else works just fine - but no stills now!! Anyone help?

[open]

Hi, I have this problem too (and decided to happen whilst on holiday!)

Did you find a solution at all?

Thanks

[glesgaguyav]

Just a thought, but have you tried resetting the camera ?

I don't have mine to hand, but I believe there is a small button on the left side of the cam, the manual should explain how.

[tg3euser]

Hi, Yes I too have this problem ,can`t shoot stills everything else working fine. I know the quality is`nt great but if its there it should work. Will try reset soon , if you do first let us know if this solves problem. Regards tg3euser

[Peterw]

I understand this is a common problem with the TG3, and requires a replacement of the shutter switch. Mine has the same problem and will be going in for repair after my holiday in Febuary.

[open]

Ive tried resetting it with no avail.

Originally Posted by Peterw

I understand this is a common problem with the TG3, and requires a replacement of the shutter switch. Mine has the same problem and will be going in for repair after my holiday in Febuary.

Really? That would suck...

How much would that cost to fix? And would I have to send it to Sony or could any Repair shop do it, Thanks.

[tg3euser]

Hi, I tried the re-set and cleared all my files. Still no go.
If this is a common problem surely Sony should fork up for the repair. I contacted the Sony tech. support a couple of weeks ago and all they said was to send cam in for evaluation......I doubt if I have used the stills function any more than for 20 shots . Sony gave no mention of it being a common problem hmmm! Regards tg3euser

[Solidstate]

My TG3 had this repair done - it was away for a few weeks within the warranty period. I was hoping to get a brand new replacement - but the same old camera turned up - just with the shutter button repaired.

I wouldn't pay for the repair - the stills it takes are shockingly bad - I only sent it back with the hope of getting a replacement.

[mallinersha]

Damn - my Sony TG3 has just developed this same problem, the shutter button no longer works and it's about 2 weeks out of warranty!!

Any Advice?

[tg3euser]

Hi, to any TG3E owner unable to take still pics. I noticed today that my cam although being unable to take still pics by pressing shutter button WILL take stills if remote control is fitted. Hope this may be of help to owners with remote.
Regards tg3euser.

[muscleflex]

hi -- just seen this from google. mine has this problem too but i just ignored it as i don't eally use it.... but a couple of weeks ago, whilst in spain on vacation, the LCD started blanking out when i turn the LCD 180 degrees to view from above.. it still works when i turn it 90 degrees to use it as a normal camcorder viewing from behind like normal cams do.. (if you understand what i mean)

[tg3euser]

Hi muscleflex, sorry to hear of your new problem , hope it is not another common TG3 fault. regards tg3euser.

[ciezak]

Hi - I have had a TG3 with a stills button problem. It was still on warrenty so repaired. Have just gone out of warrenty and developed a new mechanical problem - the lens protection shutter fails to open and close fully and no recording of any sort possible -even if lens cover open. is this going to be a costly repair - a new TG7 can be bought for £400 on the net and has the GPS location - i'm tempted - I presume the recordings on the tg3 and tg7 are compatible.Playback on the tg3 still OK.

[muscleflex]

Originally Posted by ciezak

Hi - I have had a TG3 with a stills button problem. It was still on warrenty so repaired. Have just gone out of warrenty and developed a new mechanical problem - the lens protection shutter fails to open and close fully and no recording of any sort possible -even if lens cover open. is this going to be a costly repair - a new TG7 can be bought for £400 on the net and has the GPS location - i'm tempted - I presume the recordings on the tg3 and tg7 are compatible.Playback on the tg3 still OK.

i would expect if you contact sony - they will ask for a fixed fee of £170 something. just like when i registered mine for repair. it sounds a lot and it is. i told them it's the last time i'm getting sony as this is very poor and disappointing. I'm gonna get that Canon HFS21 for christmas instead.

TG3 and TG7 are the same and as far as i've read online, uses the same sensor. the only difference is the built in memory and the gps (which i'll never need).

[ciezak]

Many thanks - I found exactly that £ 170 fixed fee from Sony - Are the jessops set up any better do you think? You have to pay a non returnable £25 which comes off the repair cost. Pixmania does the deal for £ 540 something and a 5 year warrenty is £78 - best deal I've seen so far. I would find the GPS useful as I travel to some very remote parts of the world. The results in HD are stunning - I use a magnetic attached wide angle lens at times which is not great - I'm not sure what the w/a lens offered is of similar (not great) quality.

[ciezak]

Sorry the TG7 with Pixmania is £440 something (not 540).

[tg3euser]

Hi ciezak, as muscleflex says the TG3 AND TG7 are similar except for the GPS and built in memory . This begs the question do they use the same protective shutter mechanism and shutter button for stills....if so has Sony addressed the problems with these or are they going to be encountered as problems on the TG7 ? Time will tell. I have the TG3E and it is great for its size and movie image quality ....would I buy a TG7 if mine packed in ? Not sure about that. Regards tg3euser.

[drofgum]

Hi,
I have just experienced this fault today and have read the posts above re the cause. Has anybody had the repair done by Sony out of warranty ? If so please can you advise me of the cost.
Thanks

[muscleflex]

sony wants £170 for the repair. this cam is the last sony i'm ever buying. i wrote them a letter but they basically said pay it or live with it. bunch of a$$holes!

i found someone who repairs sony ps3 who said he can have a look for me. i've not taken the cam to him yet tho to have a look.

[ciezak]

Hi - I had the same experience with Sony - they seem to have a flat rate for any repair job. The protective shutter on the TG3 went faulty ( in addition to the warrenty repair I had done last year on the stills button) - record is not possible but playback normal. Jessops wanted £ 380 for the repair - a new TG7 can be bought on the net for below £ 400 today so no sense in this repair. Sony wanted £ 170 - so you win some and you lose some. Not sure how a repair can cost £380 !! I'm planning to take it to a country where repair costs are lower. Is there anyone out there who repairs these faults at reasonable costs?

[muscleflex]

try this guy. they're the same people i'm planning on taking mine (just not had a chance yet). they emailed me saying they can have a look at the camcorder.
if you need more help, let me know - i managed to download a service manual for the TG3 (i just need to find it as i can't remember where i'd saved it)
Games Console Repair in Bradford, Leeds and UK

[drofgum]

Hi,
Thanks for the info guys. Somehow I don't think I am going to pay £170. I'll just carry on using it as a video recorder. If you do find the repair manual muscleflex, please upload itand I'll have a go at the repair.

[muscleflex]

i've found the service manual but it's 12mb. don't know where to upload it for you guys...

[tg3euser]

Hi Muscleflex, is it possible to download ( when you find out how to ) just the relevant section from the service manual? Regards tg3euser.

[muscleflex]

here you go.... and dont forget to let me know if you guys have managed to fix yours so i can do the same..

SONY HDR-TG1, TG1E, TG3E SERVICE MANUAL LEVEL 2 VER 1.3 2009.06 REV-1 (9-852-295-34).pdf - 4shared.com - document sharing - download

[drofgum]

Hi,
Thanks for the download, muscleflex. I'll pick my way through the manual and see what results. Do you know if the parts can be ordered through a Sony store or through an independent repairer ?

[tg3euser]

Originally Posted by drofgum

Hi,
Thanks for the download, muscleflex. I'll pick my way through the manual and see what results. Do you know if the parts can be ordered through a Sony store or through an independent repairer ?

Hi drofgum, how did you get on with your repair?
Regards tg3euser.

[muscleflex]

i've given up on mine... haha.
and i've noticed the TG7 is not even in stores anymore. stupid sony!

[Englishmike]

Hi I have the same problem and now know its cause. The still switch has a 3 way flexable membrane to take the contacts of the switch to the inside board. When you lift the viewing lid it continually rubs on the mebrane and after a while the little copper wires in the membrane rub through !! This is a major design flaw.Theres nothing you can do about it yourself unless you fancy stripping it down! I wonder if the TG5 has the same problem. I am now stripping mine down . I am lucky enough to have some spares membrane. The strip down is quite involved I can quite understand why I was quoted £90.00. I will let you all know how it goes.

[muscleflex]

thanks for the update - do post some pics of the teardown and fix. i've given up on mine. i'm getting a canon! i've had enough of sony!