My camera, a three year old Fuji S2960 has developed a fault. Basically it was ok on Thursday evening but today it refuses to "auto focus"! I turn it on and the image in the view finder or on the LCD screen is blurred. When I half depress the shutter release I can hear it whirring and clicking and the focus of the image in the view finder improves slightly, worsens and returns to the original blurred image. It then flashes up the red "AF!" error warning. It will take a photo but it will be blurred. What I see on the screen is what I get. I have tried giving it the full range of tele/wide/zoom etc.
I have tried switching between normal/macro/supermacro and back.
I have tried all programmed and custom pre-sets.
I have cleaned the lens and the LED focus finder.
I have tried "gently" tapping the lens and body with the shutter release half depressed to see if anything is sticking.
I have wiped the memory and card, turned off, removed batteries for 2 hours, replaced, turned on......same problem....
Does it have an auto-focus sensor? Are these prone to failure?
Being at the cheaper end of the range it really is a point and shoot camera with no manual focus.
Any ideas, suggestions? Scrap it? Hit it harder?
@Roy Fellows: you're a Fuji man, has yours ever done this??!

Any help appreciated.

Phil.

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My Fuji suffered exactly the same fault after getting water inside it. I shoved it on top of a radiator over night and most functionality returned apart from the zoom feature so I decided to retire the camera and buy a new second hand one...

...I shoved it on top of a radiator over night...

Thanks Sweetie ( :wub: :wub: :wub: 😉 ).
Great minds think alike, guess where mine is right now?!
I guess after being used in a damp/humid environment and then sealed up in an air-tight Pelicase, moisture ingress could be a distinct possibility, although I usually air it the following day. I shall keep you posted. :thumbup:

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Certainly sounds like it could be moisture, do you save up the little packs of silica beads that come with electricals? If so, try putting the camera in a bag with a few packs to try and draw the moisture out. Worth a shot surely? I tend to do this with any of my electrical items which throw a hissy fit after getting damp and have had good success.

Good luck!

.....do you save up the little packs of silica beads that come with electricals?....

Great idea. I don't save them but I know someone who does. Plan B! Cheers guys. Update you to let you know how I get on!

Phil.

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Rice works pretty well. Put the camera in a cotton bag, dunk it in a box full of rice. Leave for a week.

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.....do you save up the little packs of silica beads that come with electricals?....

Great idea. I don't save them but I know someone who does. Plan B! Cheers guys. Update you to let you know how I get on!

Phil.

If the silica gel has been open to atmosphere for any length of time, if can be re-activated by baking at around 100c for a couple of hours, or bottom oven of the AGA overnight.

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This maybe of no use at all, and thinking about it, it seems pretty obvious but easy to overlook.
I have an S9600 and had exactly the same problem, until I realised I had inadvertently nudged the dioptre adjuster on the viewfinder. 😞 :stupid:

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.....I had inadvertently nudged the dioptre adjuster on the viewfinder. 😞 :stupid:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Have you thought about getting a box brownie? :thumbsup:

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Have you thought about getting a box brownie? :thumbsup:

....with an in-built mag strip to dry it out???!
Still haven't seen any of your photos from the famous BB? :flowers:

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Cooked the camera on the rad overnight and it now seems to be behaving :thumbup:
Am using it today and then I shall pack it in a sealed bag with some Silica until I need it on Thursday.
As an optimist, I declare the problem solved, thanks! :thumbsup:

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Great news... I love it when a plan comes together :thumbup:

.....do you save up the little packs of silica beads that come with electricals?....

Great idea. I don't save them but I know someone who does. Plan B! Cheers guys. Update you to let you know how I get on!

Phil.

I've just rescued my Iphone using this method.

go and buy a bag of litter pearls from Sainsbury's or another supermarket. That stuff is silica gel just like in the little packs and will suck the moisture out of anything. Put it into a cotton bag to prevent dust getting in the camera and leave it for 24 hours.

If you suspect an aelectrical device has got wet, dry it out as above and then get it professionally cleaned; water leaves minerals on the circuit boards which can then cause a short circuit.

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"water leaves minerals on the circuit boards which can then cause a short circuit"

Coke's the worst.

Lozz.

Sea water not very good either 😞

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http://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/showthread.php?t=107328 

Lozz.