? for those of you who sent your s2 back to fuji for softness problems.

[photowife]

Ok, I am on my third S2 body. Each one has worked differently, but I still think the images are too soft. This time I want to send this body into fuji for them to fix. My question is for those of you with experience in this.. What is the turn around time like. How do you get them to send you a loaner (is there any cost for that?). Has it worked for you? Does anyone have a more direct number than the 1800800fuji? And anything else you can tell me to help would be greatly appreciated!

[Swampy]

I had a pleasent experience, but I didn't go through Fuji. I went through Ritz Camera where I bought it and the turn around ended up being about a week I think.

However, I really did test the heck out of the camera to make sure it wasn't me or anything else. I tried multiple lenses and a tripod, decent shutter speeds, etc. Make sure you do this. Images from the S2 are kinda soft right from the camera compared to film. I would take your best lens (if you have more than one) or take the one you have and try some test shots in decent daylight, or even flash at a resonable distance (no more than 10 feet away, no less than 6 feet with the on-board flash). I would suggest bright daylight outside though, and a shutter speed of 1/125 or higher, on a tri-pod at F5.6 to F11. I would stay in the mid-range in the f-stops because most lenses do thier best work around that range for the average person. I can't see that 3 cameras would have a sharpness problem, unless they are all older models that are on the problem list.

Mine definitely had a back focus issue, which is another test you can do. Set up the camera on the tripod next to a fence, looking down the length of it (wooden fence prefferably), focus on the middle of the fence with the lowest f stop your lens can do. Look at the pic, is what you were focusing on, in focus? To the front? To the back? Is it all just soft? I'm not real happy with my images until I apply some USM to them in Photoshop, you may be being overly critical with sharpness by looking at the photos here and comparing the sharpness of your un-processed pics with the processed ones here.

There's a few other people that have delt with Fuji. Most have been good, but I don't remeber the turn around times. Hopefully someone will chime in on that part.

[seanmcclain]

Geez. It pains me to hear you having this much trouble. Are you getting any useful images? I hope you're getting some.

I recently sent my cam to Fuji. I called them at 1-800-659-fuji. They were very responsive. I did not get a loaner but I will next time (unfortunately I'm pretty sure the cam will have to go back). The turn-around time was about a week and a half. I sent it through the local store from whom I purchased my cam. So there was no shipping charge for me, but it took a little longer than it would have if I shipped myself. I also lost the ability to track the camera when I sent it through the local store. I finally talked them into giving me the tracking number but it was not easy. I might ship it myself next time.

Good luck. I have to agree with swampy101 regarding the sharpening. It's rare that I'm pleased with the sharpness from the camera. The test for focus is whether or not I can sharpen in PS.

In general I have also found that the cam does not focus on what I want it to. But some part of the image is always in focus... I wish it were the part I wanted! I'm having better luck now that I'm aware of the camera's sensitivity. I also turned off the closest subject feature.

[photowife]

was it because of focusing problems? Is it any better after this trip to fuji? This cam is by far the best of the three bodies I've had. It just isn't good enough to use for weddings. It also seems like the exposure is off a little...I know most cameras are, but it is a first for me. I just had a bride who I thought chose not to use me(hadn't heard from her) send me a deposit check for her october wedding. Now I am in a time crunch to get the camera ready. Thank you for your story.
S.

[seanmcclain]

Congrats on the job. I'd say shoot it with film if you have a good film workflow.

No. Sorry. I sent mine in to have hot pixels turned off/mapped out. They fixed that just fine.

I have had problems with focus, but they have not been objectively analyzed. I suppose I haven't really had a significant problem. Most of my shots are M/F (landscapes at Hyperfocal). In fact my film cam is an F3 (no A/F). So I'm really just learning A/F. I do a lot of documentary shots of my family though. That's where I'm having focus problems. I was surprised to find that I had more out of focus shots with A/F than I used to have with M/F. Eyes out of focus etc. I think I may have solved my problems by being more careful with waiting until focus stops tracking before moving the sensor away from the subject's eyes.

I have verified that my ttl flash exposure does not match my spot meter. Oh well. I just use histogram to do flash setup. Then shoot manual. I'm not using TTL right now. I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear.

[deluco]

I'm convinced that the problem is not focus, but the symptoms make it appear as a focus problem. The New Jersey Fuji site did mine within a week but they are assuming it is a focus problem. They will "adjust focus" and send it back and you will have the same problem.

[photowife]

hmmm...that is an interesting thought. I do know some people on here said fuji did fix their focusing problem though, so maybe it differs from camera to camera. I Sent it on the 10th and I called today to get a return tracking number. The gentleman I spoke to was very nice and helpful.. It was next day fed-ex'd today. I look forward to having it back.

[jeffinkansas]

I am on my second camera body. Focus has never been the problem IMO (although the viewfinder could use some help.) I believe it is an in camera sharpness issue. Perhaps it is a fuji specific pixel design issue? I don't know but I do know that if they don't correct this I won't be buying the S3.

As for the S2 not being good enough for weddings, what is your criteria? Are you shooting jpegs or raw? Is it an issue of image output size? I have shot several weddings with this new body and have had no complaints. But then again we may be selling different products.

I have also used TTL. It way over exposes. I shoot flash at the receptions and subtract 3 stops from the flash and mess with the other ev until it looks right. From then on I don't have any trouble. Good luck!

[puglover]

Hi photowife, I feel your pain. I am one that sent my first S2 off and it was replaced - the second body has been better in some aspects (focus) but worse in others (battery quirks). I am convinced after a lot of reading on this site that the camera is just not perfect. It seems all digital cameras have problems specific to the make and model and it is just going to take a while for all the bugs to be ironed out of the technology. I too shoot weddings and not being able to trust your camera completely is a real issue. I have learned to work around the S2's downfalls and I will just wait it out until a digital camera comes out that meets everyone's expectations...who knows how long that will be.:(

[lousposa]

I just received my S2 back from Fuji in Edison, NJ. They replaced the CCD. The service was excellent. The turn around time was about 3 weeks, due to the fact that they had to wait for a shippment of CCD's from Japan. The number to reach the repair department is 1-800-659-3854, Ext 3461. :)