Digital camera problem

[Rollo]

I am wondering if anybody can offer an opinion on what may be causing this.

I have a Fujifilm Finepix F401 camera and the pictures being taken are all now distorted. There is major colour distortion and there are usually horizontal lines across the picture. I have changed the "Smart Media" and it makes no difference using different cards.

Here are examples of what I mean:

http://i28.tinypic.com/50k2zq.jpg

http://i28.tinypic.com/2djp385.jpg

http://i30.tinypic.com/2ql8zts.jpg

http://i27.tinypic.com/240x7vq.jpg

I would appreciate any help.

[Gromit]

Sorry, not an answer, but a few questions:

Is there a function on the camera to go back to the default settings of when you bought the camera?

Have you tried loading them to a different computer?

On the camera's digital display, do your pictures look distorted when you take the picture?

[Rollo]

I can't see an option to "reset", but I have tried taking the battery out, waiting and then reinserting it.

The pictures look the same on the camera screen and they look the same when I upload them to a different computer.

So I think it must be the camera that is at fault.

[rojash]

This an example of what we techies call a "bu99ered up camera". I think you need to look out the warranty card.

[Rollo]

It's over 4 years old. I don't think the warranty will help.

[4candles]

Hi Rollo, that's real bad news. I'm afraid I have to agree with rojash - it's well and truly *$%/>*.

The only consolation is that prices have fallen a lot in the last four years, should you wish to replace it.

[Rollo]

I think you are right.

It's well and truely boooooooooooooooooooooooogered!!!!!!

[Fanriffic]

Don't chuck the camera out just yet.

The Fujifilm Finepix 401 had camera recall on a batch of cameras which fell within a range of Serial Numbers a few year back.

Fuji admitted some cameras were fitted with a batch of fault CCD chips which gave images like the ones you posted.
They fixed the cameras free of charge if your camera fell within the range of Serial Numbers.

Go to the link below and fill in the form and send your camera off to Fuji. Click on the How Can We Help? section.

http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/technical/camera_rep air/

In the fault description part of the form explain that your image displays purple and rainbow patterns.
Also mention if your camera serial number falls within the CCD Advisory Warranty Repair Recall.

You've nothing to lose so I would give it a try.

Good luck.

[Fanriffic]

Further information.

The UK Serial Numbers affected are:

23L00001 through 23L35000

2GL00001 through 2GL05100

The F401 camera I used at work fell within the first range of serial numbers and this was fixed free of charge by Fujifilm about 2 years ago.