Another S2 bites the dust

[es136]

Well, I was finally able to book 2 weeks of vacation from my hectic work schedule and with some good advice from friends here ended up going to Nevada/ Arizona for my photography adventure. I was in the middle of Valley of Fire in Nevada getting ready for my 1st frame and there it was. A whole bunch of black spots in the middle of my viewfinder (see image one). :eek: With no lens bulb or other cleaning supplies I decided to continue to shoot and clean up the images in PP.

Upon getting back to Toronto and a prompt CCD cleaning, I was back in business and was happily shooting for a few days.

Yesterday, I decided to go for a drive to Eastern PA to shoot a few choice spots to make up for my other misadventure. S2 checked out fine before departure. After about 5 hours of driving, found a beautiful spot to shoot and to my horror the 1st image was the ghost of the purple Burney (image 2) :mad: :mad:

I have done the customary lens change, battery refresh, AC use, hard and soft reset,…. To no avail. S2 to is about 13 month old and 4500 actuations.

I have printed a whole bunch of threads from here and from other sites and will be going to Fuji Canada for satisfaction.

One thing for sure, I will not be buying a lottery ticket this week.

Eddie

[Carlton]

Eddie,
Sorry to hear about this. It sure dosen't sound good. This is what I fear most while I'm working on location. I have a backup (Olympus E10) that does an OK job, however, it is now in the shop for a sync problem. I just don't feel very well without a backup....

[Swampy]

Hmm. Let us know how it goes on. Sorry to hear about it. My friends did this 1 month out of warranty. Sent the camera back and said it would cost $900 bucks to fix it. They didn't even call him to ask if he wanted it fixed before they sent it back. I'd be curious to see if they fix it for free under the black death thing. If they do, then the friends camera is being sent back for repair again with the threads in the box.

[es136]

thanks guys,

I have the luxury of being a short drive away from the Fiji’s camera repair center and planning to be a real pest if they are not willing to own up to what I consider poor workmanship. I will post updates here as I go along in getting my camera up and running.

On a side note: now that I don’t have my camera, Toronto’s weather forecast calls for a week of glorious sunshine starting tomorrow. I truly believe someone up there is laughing his/her a** off at my predicament. :mad: :mad:

Eddie

[es136]

I just phoned Fuji camera repair center in Toronto and was told that the repair cost of the dead CCD would be covered by Fuji even after the expired warranty, but I would believe that when I have a working S2 in my hands.

I'll drop the camera off this afternoon and update this thread as I go along.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

Eddie

[AzRich]

I had a Canadian S2 that needed repair.

I was very happy with their service, seemed a bit warmer than the US process.. and that was fine too.

The Canadian Service Center fixed my S2 quickly, my only problem was sending it from the US to Canada and dealing with the red tape just to get it there. Since you don't have that issue, you should be fine :)

[es136]

Hmm. Let us know how it goes on. Sorry to hear about it. My friends did this 1 month out of warranty. Sent the camera back and said it would cost $900 bucks to fix it. They didn't even call him to ask if he wanted it fixed before they sent it back. I'd be curious to see if they fix it for free under the black death thing. If they do, then the friends camera is being sent back for repair again with the threads in the box.

Just dropped off the S2. The Fuji rep confirmed that the CCD replacement is covered by them :rockon: . The only catch is that the CCD is on back-order for a week (guess they are in high demand)

Eddie

[S_Leeper]

Go buy that lottery ticket!!!

[es136]

I finally have my S2 in perfect working condition back in my hands. The repair was completed free of charge and Fuji’s customer service was superb. They even offered to move my camera to a different part of the building for pickup as I was going to miss their closing time at the repair center.
Also as others have mentioned the image qulity seems to be better than when I initially purchased the S2 as my original CCD was suffering from a bit of a yellow color cast.

Here is some miscellaneous information for those of you that are in similar situation with the dead CCD.

Fuji rep confirmed that the CCD replacement in covered by Fuji even when out of warranty for Black CCD death or CCD color mixes such as above.
The work is performed under a Fuji advisory not a recall as the problem is with certain bad batches mainly serial numbers 32xxxxxx.
Parts replaced are the CCD, CCD wire bonding, CCD holder assembly.
Part numbers are (RC59= CCD replacement unit), (PDSC1= labor, DSC service charge level 1), (FBF04017-100= CCD holder assembly).
Warranty on work performed is 6 month.
This repair is categorized by Fuji as “Warranty repair”

Once again two thumbs up to Fuji customer service. :goldcup:

off to take some photos and buy that lottry ticket. :)
Eddie

[mzip]

Well.
You have again your s2 repaired and 7 month after the CCD dead again.
Then..................what happen?.
Because at this moment we don´t know whats the problem on a s2pro.
The died CCD is the final efect but..........
Which is/are the cause/s?
I told this to Fuji center in Spain (Barcelona) when they want me to pay 600$ to replace it (and only 3 month of new warranty) and they told me that it is impossible and they have not notice that s2´s round the world have this kind of problem. So Fuji in Japan doesn´t notice to locals fujis centers around the world. This is not a correct professional behavior.
It´s incredible.
So I will buy a D70s WITH 5 YEARS OF WARRANTY. I aware that this is very important on a digital camera.
:D :dunce:

[ballroom_boy]

Hey Eddie

Sorry to hear about your CCD, however, glad to hear Fuji Canada will repair it for free. Overall, Fuji Canada is pretty good on the service side of things.

I just hope my S3's CCD doesn't suffer the "black death" syndrome at a wedding. Oh shucks, I would have to revert to my backup D2x!

Take care ... let us know how things work out.

Ciao!

[big_ben_blue]

Well, my S2 is now at FujiCan for a new CCD. Yes, the repair is "free of charge", but at least in my case, they added a "proclean" to the estimate which is NOT free and doesn't seem to be negotiable (120$Can). Oh, and the new CCDs are right now on backorder and NOT in stock. Lovely, isn't it :rolleyes: . I gonna give these folks a call tommorow to find out on what exactly the "proclean" does, and what the 12.95$ 12month warranty option covers. Right now, it's a mixed blessing of sorts.

Cheers,
Chris

[BSantrac]

Hi...there

Just recently started my S2 Pro up...not been in use for some months....been a busy summer and fall.

The question is that there is no pic what so ever just "black Image"

Is the CCD dead...everything else works and what is the cost of repair...purchased the camera new over 2 years ago.

P.S. live in St. Thomas Ontario Canada.

[big_ben_blue]

Hi...there

Just recently started my S2 Pro up...not been in use for some months....been a busy summer and fall.

The question is that there is no pic what so ever just "black Image"

Is the CCD dead...everything else works and what is the cost of repair...purchased the camera new over 2 years ago.

P.S. live in St. Thomas Ontario Canada.

The CCD replacement itself is free now, even if the camera is out of warranty (that saves you about 1000-1400$). But, you'll most likely end up with small bill for cleaning the camera inside and out (about 120$). Best to give Fuji Canada a call beforehand (one of the technicans is pleasant to talk with, the other is a bit on the grumpy side). Once you sent it in (incl. a printout of the repairform pdf from their website) and Fuji got it, they'll send you an estimate via email and you have to decide from there (either OK it or decline). The repair itself is covered by a 6 month warranty; and while the estimate mentions an optional 12month warranty, it doesn't apply for "pro" cameras. I hope to get my S2 back this week, then I can tell you a bit more. Or you PM Eddie.

Cheers,
Chris

[es136]

Hi...there

Just recently started my S2 Pro up...not been in use for some months....been a busy summer and fall.
The question is that there is no pic what so ever just "black Image"
Is the CCD dead...everything else works and what is the cost of repair...purchased the camera new over 2 years ago.
P.S. live in St. Thomas Ontario Canada.

I would make the trip as you are only about an hour away. This way you can discuss possible charges with them. You always have the option of having them ship the camera back to you (no cost). I mentioned that I use the camera for work and it was back to me in 3 days.

Eddie

[BSantrac]

Phoned Fuji Canada and talked to a service tech...very nice person.

He tolded me that there is an "advisary" with this camera and other Fuji cameras with the same CCD.

The repair is no charge just need to pay 40.00 to ship from Forest City Image Centre - a great store to shop -

Hopefully get it back soon

The email is as follows:

Dear Boris,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Important Notice to Users of
FinePix A303, F410, F700 and S2 Pro

Fujifilm has found that some FinePix A303, F410, F700 and S2 Pro models may produce abnormal conditions in captured images. Affected units will produce images that are completely black, have purplish cast or multi-colour distortion. These can be seen in both live images on the LCD monitor (except S2 Pro) and captured images.

The cause of the abnormal images is a combination of a number of factors including sensor manufacturing, climate and aging. Problems experienced during a limited period of production along with the other factors causes some cameras to experience these image problems.

There are a limited number of potentially affected units which may have been distributed in Canada -- they fall within the serial number ranges listed below. If your camera is included in this list and you are experiencing one of the image problems noted above Fuji will perform the repair free of charge.


Model Serial Numbers

FinePix A303
3JA4**** - 3JA5****

FinePix F410
32A1****
32A6**** - 32A7****
32A9****

FinePix F700
33A0****
34A1****

FinePix S2 Pro
31A127** - 31A143**
32A000** - 32A039**
33A000** - 33A007**
34A000** - 34A004**


If your camera is included in this list and you are experiencing one of the image problems noted above please ship your camera to one of the following authorized service centers located in Canada:

Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc.
600 Suffolk Court
Mississauga, Ontario
L5R 4G4
Attn: Camera Service Department

Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc.
6805 Dennett Place
Delta, British Columbia
V4G 1N4
Attn: Camera Service Department

Packaging/Shipping Instructions:

1. Record the model and serial number of your Fujifilm product for future reference.
2. Please describe the problem you are having. You must provide your name, telephone number, e-mail address and return address.
3. Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc. assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged film, batteries, storage media, or other accessories. Please remove all accessories not directly associated to the malfunction prior to shipping any equipment for service unless requested.
4. Enclose photocopies of the warranty card and dated proof of purchase if you are requesting the repair to be covered under warranty. If clear photocopies of proof of purchase and warranty card are not supplied, repair charges will be your responsibility.
5. To prevent damage during transit, pack your unit securely in an appropriate, sturdy shipping container. Place the camera in a plastic bag and surround in bubble wrap if possible. All shipments to Fuji Photo Film Canada, Inc. must be sent prepaid. Any shipments sent collect (COD) to Fujifilm will be returned to you unopened.
6. When using any carrier, keep a record of the tracing number in the event you must trace the package. Fujifilm assumes no responsibility for loss and/or damage during transit.

Thank you for your continued confidence in Fujifilm digital cameras. Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc. is committed to continuing to provide its customers with the very best products and post purchase service support.

Sincerely,

Digital Camera Technical Support
Fuji Photo Film Canada Inc.

Visit http://www.fujihelp.ca