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Fuji FinePix F401 Zoom

Quite recently my Fuji FinePix F401 digital camera went on the blink, in that the LCD screen on the back of the camera was showing discoloured and distorted images. Images that were captured some weeks ago appear fine, but when I try to shoot any new pictures they just show up as wavy black and purple lines. I think that the camera's sensors must be faulty. On approaching Fuji in the UK, they want an extortionate £79.90 to repair the camera which I feel isn't worth it considering the price you can get new cameras for these days. If anyone has any answers to my problem, I'd love to hear their comments either on this forum or direct to my email box. Thanks.

Davros, England UK
Wed, 03 Jan 2007 15:40:49 -0800

The same fault has just ocured on my Finepix F401.

I agree £80 is too much.

Have you found any other solution ?, (replacement part,self fit?)

Rod Downey
Sat, 13 Jan 2007 06:07:13 -0800

Mine has developped a similar problem. Most of places that I have gone to charge a starting price of £40 just to look at the camera.I shall not buy another fuji as my camera is just over three years old and it should have lasted longer than that, especially for the price that I paid. Fuji offer a good discounted trade in, so do they know that their cameras don't last that long? Camera manufacturers have consumers over the barrel as very few people repair them today because it's cheaper to buy a new one hence why pehaps they don't last that long...

Paul Restall
Sat, 13 Jan 2007 07:32:38 -0800

The fault symptoms outlines by 'Davros' above have occurred today with my own Finepix F401 (3 years old, but not used that frequently). Today I took one picture which turned out satisfactorily - but after that the LCD screen became a kaleidoscope of pulsating colours. Then the screen momentarily displayed a series of coarse lines, and a picture taken while in this state produced an image of.... coarse lines! Images already stored can be viewed normally, both on the camera's LCD and via the camera's cradle/desktop computer link. I've tried disconnecting then reconnecting the battery, but the fault persists. In view of the comments above (and the views expressed on other sites devoted to malfunctioning Fuji cameras), it would seem that to pay for a repair might not be wise since the same thing could easily happen a few months down the line. Fuji must be stupid to allow such poor quality equipment to be placed on the market... I'm inclined to write off the F401 and look for a more reliable camera.

P J Watts
Mon, 22 Jan 2007 09:58:12 -0800

That's a good diagnostic, P J. Based on your diagnostic, I would think that the CCD sensor is bad. Might want to look on Fuji's site and see if there is a recall on Fuji sensors. Sony and Nikon been recalling some of theirs.

Chieh Cheng
Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:36:27 -0800

PS to my Comment of yesterday...

Taking Chieh Cheng's advice (thank you CC), I contacted Fuji UK Support and was told that there has been a bit of a problem with the F401's CCD. I've been assured that if a CCD fault is confirmed when their Repair Department examines my camera, then they'll repair it free of charge. My attitude towards Fuji has suddenly softened! I'll keep forum members informed on progress.

P J Watts
Tue, 23 Jan 2007 01:59:42 -0800

My faith in Fuji has been restored! The faulty F401 camera (see above) was repaired free of charge by Fujifilm (UK), and is now working perfectly. (Chieh Cheng please note - the CCD _was_ the culprit, so your diagnosis was spot on!).

P J Watts
Mon, 05 Feb 2007 10:26:25 -0800

My Fujifilm Finepix F401 developed a screen prolem. I contacted Fuji and explained the problem. In some cameras a faulty component was installed ( CCD ). Fuji repaired my camera for free. Many thanks to Fuji.

John Northcote
Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:58:33 +0000

My Fuji F401 has again malfunctioned. The screen problem was solved by the new CCD(see 22nd Jan 2007 entry above), but now the three blue LED's do not flash when images are being transferred from camera to computer, nor when using the self timer or charging the camera's battery. I borrowed a new cradle and usb lead, but the problems persist. I called Fuji and they agreed with me that since everything else is working the driver circuit for the LEDs is probably u/s. However, the cost of repair would be far more than the camera currently is worth, so I'll continue to use it until getting a more reliable product. By the way, any suggestions for a good quality (but not a 'throw-away Fuji') replacement (make/model) will be most welcome.

It greatly disappoints me that my Fuji digital camera (not cheap when I bought it around 4 years ago), has been so unreliable, despite having had a very cosseted life. My well used and much travelled Konica Autoreflex and Nikon 601S SLR 35mm film cameras are still working as well today as they did when bought in 1978 and 1988, respectively. So much for progress, eh?!

P J Watts
Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:03:34 +0000

Don't forget that Fuji repairs also come with a new 12 month full parts & labour warranty and include return p&p and VAT.

DebtMan
Mon, 28 Jan 2008 13:59:28 +0000

The exact same problem has happened to me. Have you got any sollutions?

henrietter
Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:55:07 +0000

Similar problem with our finepix f401 fujifilm. The camera is about 4 years old and the screen shows 70% while (top) and 30% black (bottom). It seems likely to be a problem with the recording hardware (CCD?) as all of the other functions work, and it will record w/ sound, but show only dark w/ green on the left and purple on top. This was not a cheap camera, so 4 years of life is rather disappointing.

Airwon Ojay
Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:56:46 +0000

Hello guys,I think we are on the same boat,because just yesterday the display of my F401 goes black or strange central flare.I agree with you beacuse the price i Paid for this camera should garantee a longer life than almost 3,5 year!Now ,I' ve cheched the italian website and I discovered that there was an official comunication about some faulty cameras and they put on the website the serial number involved(..for those..they should pick up and repair the camera for free..)
My serial number is not included!!and I'm very angry for this... ..but let me check better with the call center and I'll be back here as soon as i get news.Ciao
Marco

Marcotech
Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:21:20 +0000

I had the same CCD sensor fault recently after 4 years of good service from my F401.
Fuji UK wanted me to pay £65 up front for a repair assessment with the promise it would be refunded if it was in fact the CCD at fault. I didn't want to take the chance of losing £65 so I just packed it off the Repair Centre with a covering letter threatening to never buy Fuji again. It arrived in the post this morning repaired for free, result.

Jim Graham , UK
Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:33:35 +0000

The above fault symptoms have occurred last Sunday with my own Finepix F401 (4 years old). The LCD screen became a kaleidoscope of pulsating colours. Then the screen momentarily displayed a series of coarse lines, and a picture taken while in this state produced an image of green coarse lines. Images already stored can be viewed normally, both on the camera's LCD and via the camera's cradle/desktop computer link. I've tried disconnecting then reconnecting the battery, but the fault persists. In view of the comments above (and the views expressed on other sites devoted to malfunctioning Fuji cameras), it would seem that to pay for a repair might not be wise since the same thing could easily happen a few months down the line. I decided to buy a more reliable camera, perhaps a Canon or others.

Sam Abeysekara
Thu, 17 Apr 2008 03:36:41 +0000

My Fujifilm F401 has just developed the exact same fault! One day it was fine, the next its doing exactly what has been mentioned above. I've had the camera for 4 years

James Carmichael
Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:58:19 +0000

Thanks for all the info, particularly PJ and CC - my 401 has just gone the same way and armed with the info I will try sending it back to Fuji

Richard Jenkins
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:34:38 +0000

Hi,

My Fuji F401 has just gone on the blink too. Same symptoms as those described. Most annoying as I really need it now more than ever - things to sell on ebay!!!

Luckily, I've found this page. I was contemplating having to buy a new camera/ repair the old one at cost. So many thanks to those of you who have already posted. I'll try Fuji, and see if they will repair it for free. I've had it four years, but it cost me £350.00, so surely it should have lasted longer!!

Cheers,
MT

Mat Taylor
Wed, 06 Aug 2008 08:09:49 +0000

Re my post from last week:

I sent Fuji a letter requesting a 'no cost' repair for my Fine Pics 401, seeing as they seem to suffer from some sort of fundamental defect with regard to their optical unit.

Anyway, I've just received my camera back from them - exactly 1 week later - and in full working order. They have sent me an invoice for £0.00.

Well done Fuji!!!!!!! (Credit where credit is due). (I'm glad, because I really like the camera and have got used to using it over the years.)

Mathew Taylor
Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:51:19 +0000

Hi - mines done the same, how did you contact Fuji - do you have their details? Ther site was a bit vaugue - cheers Dan

Dan
Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:20:04 +0000

My well loved camera has just developed the same symptoms as you all. I have just sat & downloaded all pictures and checked two cards, bettery etc but still no change. I was beginning to despair as my daughter's wedding is at the end of the month and having been used to my camera, wanted to use it. My camera will be shipped off to Fuji tomorrow, if I can find the address and I will let you know the outcome! Many thanks for this site, I was just about to bin the camera!

Jackie Holden
Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:45:13 +0000

Does anyone have the Fuji repair centre mailing address?

al
Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:03:47 +0000

I've just checked this page after I last posted a comment. Here is the Fuji repair centre address I used, if anyone needs it! (Just want to mention though that I sent my camera off in August 2008 and I take no responsibility if this address has changed in the meantime!!!)

The Technical Centre
Fuji Photo Film (UK) Ltd.
Unit 10a
St Martins Business Centre
Bedford
MK42 0LF

Mat Taylor
Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:06:53 +0000

If it helps or saves time, here is the letter I sent. A few details will need personilising (????) or deleting all together.

??? ??? (My Address)
??? ???
??? ???
??? ???
??? ???
The Technical Centre
Fuji Photo Film (UK) Ltd.
Unit 10a
St Martins Business Centre
Bedford
MK42 0LF
??? (Date)

Dear Sirs,

Re: Faulty Fuji FinePix Camera F401, serial number ??????????

I purchased my Finepix camera in ???? and, up until now, was glad that I chose this model. I’m very pleased with its functions etc.

Unfortunately, however, the camera has now developed a serious fault which means that it can no longer be used. The symptoms and details of which are:

- The camera will switch on.
- It will display old photos on the LCD which were stored on the media card.
- When switching the camera to the function which allows new photos to be taken, instead of a ’viewfinder’ image being displayed, the LCD screen is blank/black.
- When an attempt is made to take a photo, the photo is displayed as being blank/black.
- The flash still operates etc.
- The camera will still record sound.
- Sometimes there is a purple flicker which flashes across the LCD.

I paid £???? for the camera, and have taken good care of it. (I have attached a photocopy of the receipt.)

On carrying-out some internet research about the fault, I have discovered that many people with my model of camera have been similarly affected, suffering exactly the same symptoms. It seems that this a common problem with the F401 model and that it’s the CCD sensor which is to blame. As this is an inherent defect with this camera, I understand that the people experiencing this problem, who have contacted yourselves at Fuji, have been advised that they can have their camera repaired free of charge (even when outside the warranty period). Indeed, I also understand that there was an official notification about the problem, and the serial numbers of the affected batch of F401 cameras, on the Italian Fuji Film website.

As such, I am enclosing my faulty F401 camera (minus its battery and media card), to see if you would also repair it for me for no charge please. I would be very grateful, if you would agree to do this.

Yours faithfully,

????

Mat Taylor
Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:17:52 +0000

Am I ever glad I discover this forum. My F401 has just started to show the exact same problem. In my case, the screen is not black but whitish with lines and so are the pictures taken with a kind of a flash in the center.

I will also send the camera back to Fuji Canada and ask for a free repair.

Thanks a lot to all of you.

Yves Boily
Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:17:55 +0000

Just to add to this: this fault is due to a massive batch of CCD units manufactured by Sony about 4-5 years ago, and used by a very wide range of camera manufacturers.
The failure rate on them has been catastrophic, and although most camera supplies will try and fob you off by saying the fault lies in some other part of the camera, such as the shutter, this is usually not so - it is the CCD.
Sony have admitted liability, and are effectively underwriting the cost of the repairs, so it should always be free.
Hope this helps

nickwoodz
Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:50:13 +0000

Hi all

Just found this site.

My f401 has developed similar symptoms – purples screen with lots of lines across it – Ive been told it's the ccd sensor.

To those who have sent it off – did you speak to them before or just pacvkage it up with the letter and your return address?

Anyone sent theirs and not had them returned?

Thanks again for the info

Regards

Neil
Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:38:28 +0000

Hi all

I have had the same problem with my camera and i have just phoned Fuji Uk and they have been most helpful, they have taken my address and are sending me packaging to send my camera to them for repair which will be free of charge if it is the problem that everyone else seems to be having.

Great service Fuji.

Paul Nisbet
Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:22:23 +0000

The same thing has just happened to mine - so pleased I have found this site as was just going to throw it away - now I send it back and see what happens.

Thanks guys.

Jo
Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:46:13 +0000

Hi in answer to most of the colour confliction ect i have found in my research that the glue that sticks the ccd ribon degrades and causes this problem i hope this is of use to the old and new enquiries. Rob

Rob
Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:57:14 +0000

Same problem with my well liked F401. Had tried a couple of camera shops who basically suggested throwing it away, before finding this site. Posted it off to Fuji who very kindly repaired it at no charge. Very handy site and excellent service from Fuji.

JM
Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:05:13 +0000

My camera has done the samebut when I phoned them they said I need to fill in an online repair form which means me putting in my card details and they say it will cost £58. has this happened to anyone ... i thought it was free repair..!

Charl
Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:54:05 +0000

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