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Need advice DIY digital camera repair

D

DemoDisk

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd like some help/advice on opening the case of a FujiFilm FinePix
3800. Online research reveals a characteristic problem with this
camera -- loose screws rattling around inside short it out.

On my camera, the screws holding on the front bezel came loose. I didn't
recognize this problem until the bezel nearly fell off ! The camera
*still works* but

1) I need to put 'em back! and
2) the gap allowed dust inside which I'd like to remove

These bezel screws attach from the inside. The case screws come off
okay, but I also need to remove the Mode thumbwheel.

Anybody know the correct way to do that?

I guess I could have it repaired by Ritz Camera, but would likely cost
the present value of the camera, and might be something I could do
better myself. So, *would* you attempt this, and *how* do you do it?

Love to hear your ideas, folks. And happy 2007!

JPM
 
J

Jim Land

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'd like some help/advice on opening the case of a FujiFilm FinePix
3800. Online research reveals a characteristic problem with this
camera -- loose screws rattling around inside short it out.

On my camera, the screws holding on the front bezel came loose. I didn't
recognize this problem until the bezel nearly fell off ! The camera
*still works* but

1) I need to put 'em back! and
2) the gap allowed dust inside which I'd like to remove

These bezel screws attach from the inside. The case screws come off
okay, but I also need to remove the Mode thumbwheel.

Anybody know the correct way to do that?

Oh, this is your lucky day! Here's a great web page with instructions
and pictures:

http://www.digsys.com.au/s3800/s3800.html
 
Can you post pictures of the bezel you're talking about? Have you
already been able to split the case? I've taken a lot of Fujis apart
and never had to remove the mode dial. Looking here:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/fuji_3800.html
It looks like the power dial stays with the foreward section and the
mode selector switch comes off with the rear section. In the Fujis I've
opened up (2600, 2650, F700, F10) the mode dial is a seperate
subassembly that is attached to the case and connects to the
motherboard via flex and clamping connectors.
Richard
 
D

DemoDisk

Jan 1, 1970
0
Oh, this is your lucky day! Here's a great web page with instructions
and pictures:

http://www.digsys.com.au/s3800/s3800.html

That's it, Jim!

Ouch. He doesn't like those Fuji's, does he? ;D

I'm going to read the page more carefully in a while, but judging by
what's there I'm pretty sure the repair w/b expensive.

'less I do it myself.

Many thanks!
JPM
 
J

Jim Land

Jan 1, 1970
0
That's it, Jim!

Ouch. He doesn't like those Fuji's, does he? ;D

I'm going to read the page more carefully in a while, but judging by
what's there I'm pretty sure the repair w/b expensive.

'less I do it myself.

Looks like removing the back of camera is pretty easy... once you realize
that you have to unlock tabs on the back that snap into fingers on the
front (view 1 and 2).

OTOH, there's a lot more to remove before you can even get to those loose
screws...

I bet you can do the repair yourself... if you take it step by step, with
care not to break or lose anything. Good luck!
 
That's a good webpage Jim, I'll bookmark it.
Where he says to use your fingernail to crack the case I use a nylon
prop from the hobby shop. Like a #3 Master Airscrew. I slide the
trailing edge along the seam with down pressure. The big help is the
pic so you can see which side to push down to release the lock tabs.
The prop works as good as the case crackers I used as a pro.
I'd also suggest organizing all the screws as you take them out. I use
white ice cube trays and make notes as to exactly where the screws came
from. Magnetized screwdrivers and thread lock are also good.
Richard
 
An additional note. He does gripe about a few problems with the camera
but he does say it's"VERY PLEASANT " to work on. While I haven't worked
on this particular camera, I find Fujis in general are very nice to
work on. The other gripe I would have is the delicate nature of the
followers on the retrofocus converters in the point and shoot lenses.
So Fujis are nice to work on as are Nikons and Sonys. Not so nice are
Canons (tho' they make excellent cameras) and especially bad are
Kodaks. You'd wind up having to desolder some connections to get into
many of their models.
Richard
 
T

tomh

Jan 1, 1970
0
you might try http://www.sanfordcamerarepair.com/index.html if you
don't want to do it your self. I learned through them there is a factory
program to replace the CCD imager in a Canon I had. No charge!
If this is a common problem with the Fuji perhaps the factory is
offering something of the same. Good luck
 
D

DemoDisk

Jan 1, 1970
0
An additional note. He does gripe about a few problems with the camera
but he does say it's"VERY PLEASANT " to work on. While I haven't worked
on this particular camera, I find Fujis in general are very nice to
work on. The other gripe I would have is the delicate nature of the
followers on the retrofocus converters in the point and shoot lenses.
So Fujis are nice to work on as are Nikons and Sonys. Not so nice are
Canons (tho' they make excellent cameras) and especially bad are
Kodaks. You'd wind up having to desolder some connections to get into
many of their models.
Richard

Thanks for answering, Richard (and I'm glad I didn't have to call you
"kv888831393ster").

Glancing at the page quickly, I got the mistaken idea he was being
hugely sarcastic with "VERY PLEASANT." I'm glad my Fuji is one of the
good ones.

Now what is it with the Kodak's, like the EasyShare? My neighbor has a
Z650, and its features make mine look puny. Early on, I dismissed the
Kodak's, figuring they'd be loaded with proprietary features. Now I'm
not so sure.

JPM
 
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