Sony Alpha 100 - patch panel?

[Omega892]

Has any other owner of an Alpha 100 noticed the small patch panel near the AF/MF switch on the curve of the body as it moves around from the front to the side of the body? At first I thought it was a mould mark but closer inspection with an eye piece magnifier shows it to be an insert for some reason. Any ideas anyone?

[David Kilpatrick]

It may be for connecting the diagnostic/PC host interface cable - on oolder models, part of the left side of the camera had to be taken apart to do so. Maybe this panel can be removed by a known procedure to attach the cable.

David

[RomeoD]

I believe this is where the DC power plug attaches to. Mine specifically says "DC-IN"

[Carlj]

If it was the 5D I'd say cable release slot.

[Omega892]

I believe this is where the DC power plug attaches to. Mine specifically says "DC-IN"

I don't think so as that socket is very low down on the left side and further around from the front, arranged horizontally and with a soft cover.

Unless of course the Alpha design changed.

[Omega892]

If it was the 5D I'd say cable release slot.

Ah! On the Alpha that socket is on the back centre-right very low down under the controller. Also with a soft cover.

[Carlj]

http://www.sony.co.uk/staticcontent/fla ... width=high

The alpha site shows it to be the dc-in socket.

[rogprov]

I see what you mean, certainly looks as though it could be a removable.

So who's going to be the first to try

[Pirate]

The one at the front is DC-IN, the one at the back (lower right) is for a remote shutter switch or if you attached a vertical grip, it's to plug in and activate the vertical grip shutter switch.

[Omega892]

I am aware of the DC-IN socket and the patch panel in question is not that. In an attempt to clarify I have posted a shot in my Photoclub Alpha gallery.

The patch panel can be seen curving around the left-front corner of the camera body from just aft of the AF MF captions.