HS20 - improving QC-second series

For all those still concerned about early bad copies of the HS20, I bought mine on April 21 at a major Toronto camera store - suffered the overheat warning (corrected by the firmware upgrade) and the stiff focus ring.

2 days ago the on-off switch became flaky alternatively refusing to turn on or turn off.

Back it went to the store, who after some discussion agreed to replace it.The new one already has the 1.02 firmware factory installed and a focus ring which runs smooth as silk.

Examination shows that the serial number on the first one was 1AA .... series. The new one starts with 1BA...... Both copies made in China.

This tells me 2 things - Fuji became aware of early issues and corrected production. Secondly, anyone looking to buy an HS20 might well look for the 1Ba series of serial numbers.

Still love the pictures!!

John

Thanks for the genuinely useful info. My second copy has just arrived; guess what the first thing I'm going to do...!
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Tim, HS20, FZ18, F20

I have series 1AQ. Yesterday I noticed that there was dust inside the lens So, I'm sending my HS20 to our local service -- next Monday. I dunno how long it takes and will they swap the cam to new one or will they send it to England to the Central Service.

I asked from our local store about the warranty -- does it cover the dust and manual focus ring problem. And they said it does They talked about 2 week service. But depending of situations, it may take longer...

I just did. "1AA..." Damn!

Tim39 said:

Thanks for the genuinely useful info. My second copy has just arrived; guess what the first thing I'm going to do...!
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Tim, HS20, FZ18, F20

Click to expand...

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Tim, HS20, FZ18, F20

carnaga said:

I have series 1AQ. Yesterday I noticed that there was dust inside the lens So, I'm sending my HS20 to our local service -- next Monday. I dunno how long it takes and will they swap the cam to new one or will they send it to England to the Central Service.

I asked from our local store about the warranty -- does it cover the dust and manual focus ring problem. And they said it does They talked about 2 week service. But depending of situations, it may take longer...

Click to expand...

This is interesting.

I returned my first HS20 due to what looked like fungus in the lens!, the store owner was adamant it wasn't but it was still a fingernail sized blotch of something.

I then discovered that my second one has dust in the lens as well, not bad, but it is still there which annoys me a bit.

How would I test to see if it affects images? I have been told that it won't resolve and not to worry about it.

Tim39 said:

I just did. "1AA..." Damn!

Click to expand...

Where do you check the serial number Tim?
And make sure you check the lens with a torch!!

Daniel - the serial number plate is on the bottom of the camera.

Appears to me that buying at a bricks and mortar store, they probably buy smaller amounts of inventory and, therefore, get improved versions faster than some of the large online order houses.

Anyway, I have now to test image quality to see if anything else changed.

John

Iam on my 3rd hs20. I figured I'd give it one last shot as I returned the FZ100 due to pretty mediocre IQ. The 1st two hs20's had similar problems. Overheat warning (fixed by firmware). Very lousy auto focus, sloppy battery door, and a manual zoom that felt like it had two speed bumps when you zoomed. I was using the 2nd one when the battery door popped open and my 4 eneloops went crashing to the pavement. Sure surprised the hell out of me. Both cameras had the 1AA serial numbers. I just received the 3rd camera today and it shows a 1BA serial number and there is a world of difference between this and the 1AA's. Fuji must have jumped on their ass.

Firmware update installed
Silky smooth manual zoom (as compared to the other cameras)
Fit & finish excellent, including the battery door

I havent taken any pictures to check the auto focus, but I will tomorrow and post back.

Probably no difference but I can work around it until another firmware (hopefully) is issued. The bottom line: Make sure the camera you bought is 1BA serial number, since as the OP mentioned it seems to be 2nd generation.

I had not checked the serial #'s of the two I've returned, but tomorrow I am slated to receive my 3rd HS20 as well. The first one suffered from the "you can't turn it off" syndrome; it was like that right out of the box and it went right back in that afternoon's UPS. The second one developed the "Lens Control Error" message" - it went back in one week of receiving it.

Here's hoping tomorrow's delivery is a good 'un!

Anna

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I sometimes think I know what I'm doing. That's only a temporary illusion

I received my HS20 and it is a "1AA" from China.
I checked the firmware and it is the newest and I have a smooth zoom(So far).
I think Fuji made changes before the "1AB".
I sure hope so.....

Lee

I have discovered some more issues with my HS20.

The serial number on mine is 1AQ0----

I have discovered that there are so many dead or 'stuck on' pixels on the fold out screen that it looks like stars in a black sky. Is this normal?

I have also discovered that if I use the flash out doors at dusk, with the sky as a back ground, the light reflecting off the ground shows up lens dust as star like grey splodges all over the sky. I cleaned the front of the lens, which helped somewhat, but they are still there.

The on off switch also has 50% movement before it seems to engage the actual switch mechanism.

What should I do? I have already returned one, but I really love the camera. Does anyone have any idea if dead pixels in the display is a usual thing? it doesn't really affect things in normal shooting, but they are definitely there in abundance, certainly too many to count.

The one I have here is 1BQ - latest Firmware, lens has no heavy notchiness, no dust inside and is sharp edge to edge at both ends , no dead pixels on LCD. Battery flap is no worse than the S6500's though in fairness, "No better" would be a better description

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A Problem is only the pessimistic way of looking at a challenge

If you still have the option, RETURN IT. What you are describing is not normal - there's not a dead pixel to be found on the one I just got today. That LCD will eat at you until it kills your enjoyment of the camera.

Anna
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I sometimes think I know what I'm doing. That's only a temporary illusion

Every word gold advice.
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The FZ50: DSLR handling of a bright Leica 35-420mm lens that's this good: http://www.flickr.com/groups/panasonicfz50/pool/ (slideshow always good). And now add the LX2: http://www.flickr.com/groups/lx2/pool/
[Tomorrows camera is better and smaller than todays]