Is this a soft ccd

[easternherp]

I have just had my out of warranty S2's ccd replaced foc due to the black ccd image problem. I now think that the new ccd is not in the correct focus area or it is soft. what do you think. The first pics are the new ccd and the next two are the old ccd.The second of each series are 100% crops.

[JPS]

Are you sure you used the same lens ? There IS a hell of a difference :eek:...
:cheers:

[easternherp]

Yes JP, It is the same lens, i'm a cheapskate with only a Sigma 28-300 hyperzoom.

The camera and lens took a fall onto a table before the ccd went black but the lens didn't hit anything so I don't think it is that..

[vmic92]

Andrew,
I don't think that a soft CCD can exist, mostly when you know the mark and the model.
But I know many possible reasons to obtain a soft photo :
- out of focus
- moving - just a little - during the shot : the camera or the subject (mmm a baby is allways moving...)
- dirt on the lens (on the front or on the back), or on the filter
- light incidence on the filter
- dirt on the CCD (?)

A bad distance between the lens and the CCD is possible. I don't know the name of this setting in english, in french is "tirage optique". You can try this :
with tripod, good light, and max aperture, you shot a flat surface like a carpet or a wall (which have visible matter of course). but you don't shot exactly in front of you but a little to a side : to have a part out of focus near you and another part out of focus further afield. (shema : ----> /)
Between near and afield, you must have a sharp part.
If yes, all is fine. Search another reason for your soft images, but not the CCD.

[easternherp]

Thanks for the reply vmic92. I have tried other subjects, both living and static and all seem to be soft and out of focus. There never seems to be anything 100% sharp. I have sent the camera and lens to fuji UK today and hopefully they will shed some light on the matter.

I have attached another photo. You can see that the subject is in focus but is still soft. This was shot resting the camera on a fence so camera shake isn't an issue.

This is the image from the ccd raw preview

[Andre]

Maybe you need to adjust the mirror. The distance between ther mirror and the CCD affects focus. It can be adjusted via two offset hex screws that support the mirror. I have done this and improved my focus.

[easternherp]

Thanks Andre for the reply but I think it is a ccd problem as the image of the lambs do not look in crisp focus anywhere.
I await a reply from fuji who now have the camera.