Need help with S3 pro

ProAc_Fan · Mar 20, 2013

Just acquired an S3pro with the 24-120mm VR basically by accident. Seller advertised it as a film camera and I only really cared about the glass and the price was right. However after picking up the camera( I was already fairly certain Fuji never made a film body with the F mount) I discover its the S3. Seller informed me the lens made noises( VR wouldn't work on the S3 anyway) but find the viewfinder is really dark and the exposures are a couple of stops over exposed. I sort of figured something must be wrong with the stop down lever and the lens aperture isn't opening up. Since I have ready access to my D200 I compared the levers. Am I right to assume they should look basically identical on both camera bodies? The Fuji one appears bent at an odd angle compared to the 90 degree angle the Nikon body has. Can I bend this lever myself to approximate the Nikon one? Or would I risk snapping it off and I'd best leave this to an expert?

thanks mike

Carsten Pauer 2 · Mar 20, 2013

ProAc_Fan said:
( VR wouldn't work on the S3 anyway)

It's the Camera, You need a FinePix S3 Pro Firmware Update.

ProAc_Fan said:
The Fuji one appears bent at an odd angle compared to the 90 degree angle the Nikon body has.

Can You give us a Photo of this Lever ?

ProAc_Fan said:
Can I bend this lever myself to approximate the Nikon one?

Don't !

Regards: Carsten

ProAc_Fan · Mar 21, 2013

In a ill bit i'll add the photo. On my IPad it won't allow me to upload photos.

mike

simon · Mar 21, 2013

Hi Carsten,

Thanks for that detail / reminder about firmware update . . . . I have an S3 too but haven't updated mine for ages ;-)

Carsten Pauer 2 · Mar 21, 2013

ProAc_Fan said:
In a ill bit i'll add the photo. On my IPad it won't allow me to upload photos.

Upload the Photo from a PC or Mac Computer.

Here so looks the Lever from my FinePix S2 Pro:

ProAc_Fan said:
Thanks for that detail / reminder about firmware update . . . . I have an S3 too but haven't updated mine for ages ;-)

Yep same for the FinePix S5 Pro and some other DigitalCameras.

Regards: Carsten

ProAc_Fan · Mar 21, 2013

Sorry about the cellphone quality but I'm just in a rush. LOL

Mike

--
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AlbertTheLazy · Mar 21, 2013

On that last image the lever is definitely askew. On my Nikon FM2 the aperture shut-down lever looks like this.

Many moons ago I was in a company photo unit with absolutely no budget for new kit. Our Nikon F was getting a bit elderly and eventually had the same symptoms as you describe. That lever was bent, so I took the camera to a dealer, who 'certified' that it was beyond economic repair, which meant that, within the company rules, we could get it replaced.

Once the new camera was in our hands I took a pair of needle-nosed pliers and twisted the 'beyond repair' lever straight. That camera kept working in the studio for at least another 4 years.

This is NOT advice, just an anecdote!

--
Albert
Every photograph is an abstraction from reality.

Carsten Pauer 2 · Mar 21, 2013

ProAc_Fan said:
Sorry about the cellphone quality but I'm just in a rush. LOL

Yep, but please don't Post Images in the Signature, Thank's.

That is definitive a bend Lever and not OK.
There must be a massive Force on the Lever to bend this so much.

You should send the Camera back for a Refund or better Throw the Camera on the Sellers Head. :-x

Regards: Carsten

ProAc_Fan · Mar 21, 2013

Ok that issue solved with a set of needle nose pliers. It's back to normal now. BTW I bought camera and 24-120VR for $50 so I wasn't going to be upset with the seller. Lol. Trying to upgrade firmware now but don't have the AC adapter.Is there a work around or must you have the adapter? Seems odd you'd need an AC power supply for a 1 min job.

mike

nomad147 · Mar 21, 2013

hello, if they cant bend the lever back, the shutter assembly will have to be replaced, most likely this camera has other issues. i would return it .

Carsten Pauer 2 · Mar 22, 2013

ProAc_Fan said:
Trying to upgrade firmware now but don't have the AC adapter.Is there a work around or must you have the adapter?

That is a safety Protection.
(You can doing the Update with a set of full charged Accumulators).

I hope the Lever Position is really correct and no other Damage on the FinePix S3 Pro.
Otherwise You damage Your Lenses and or the FinePix S3 Pro again.

So check this first with a cheap Lens if You don't want to Repair the FinePix S3 Pro.

Regards: Carsten

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