Three issues with my X-T3: related or independent?

My Fuji X-T3 has, over the course of a month, developed three issues:

1. First, I started getting brief EVF/screen blackouts when zooming with a particular lens (the 70-300mm). Camera-lens contacts are clean and the lens works fine on other cameras
2. Shortly after, I started getting a "Turn off the camera and turn on again" when shooting with the mechanical shutter (initially only on portrait orientation, then on landscape as well)
3. Finally, the camera refused to turn on. I've taken out the battery and SD card, and regularly see if it comes back to life, so far with no luck

Can these three issues have the same root cause? They don't appear related, but it would be quite the coincidence to have three different problems pop up within one month, particularly in a camera that has so far worked flawlessly for 90,000+ shots.

Is there anything I can try to get the camera working again? Is it worthwhile to send it for repair?

Many thanks,

Julesvernex2 wrote:

My Fuji X-T3 has, over the course of a month, developed three issues:

1. First, I started getting brief EVF/screen blackouts when zooming with a particular lens (the 70-300mm). Camera-lens contacts are clean and the lens works fine on other cameras
2. Shortly after, I started getting a "Turn off the camera and turn on again" when shooting with the mechanical shutter (initially only on portrait orientation, then on landscape as well)
3. Finally, the camera refused to turn on. I've taken out the battery and SD card, and regularly see if it comes back to life, so far with no luck

Can these three issues have the same root cause? They don't appear related, but it would be quite the coincidence to have three different problems pop up within one month, particularly in a camera that has so far worked flawlessly for 90,000+ shots.

Is there anything I can try to get the camera working again? Is it worthwhile to send it for repair?

Many thanks,

Just a guess, but any exposure to excess humidity, or have you been shooting near salt water? The progression of issues sounds a bit like possible moisture damage or corrosion. If it were me I'd at least pay the money to send it to Fuji repair for an estimate. However, I know how much used X-T3's are selling for locally, so if the cost for repair was too much I wouldn't do it. Disheartening I know, but these things aren't bullet proof

Edit: forgot to ask if the firmware on both camera and lens are up to date?

Julesvernex2 wrote:

My Fuji X-T3 has, over the course of a month, developed three issues:

1. First, I started getting brief EVF/screen blackouts when zooming with a particular lens (the 70-300mm). Camera-lens contacts are clean and the lens works fine on other cameras
2. Shortly after, I started getting a "Turn off the camera and turn on again" when shooting with the mechanical shutter (initially only on portrait orientation, then on landscape as well)
3. Finally, the camera refused to turn on. I've taken out the battery and SD card, and regularly see if it comes back to life, so far with no luck

Can these three issues have the same root cause? They don't appear related, but it would be quite the coincidence to have three different problems pop up within one month, particularly in a camera that has so far worked flawlessly for 90,000+ shots.

Is there anything I can try to get the camera working again? Is it worthwhile to send it for repair?

Many thanks,

The three issues together point to a camera issue, probably a stuck shutter.  If when you remove the lens you see the shutter or part of it rather than the full sensor that would confirm this.  If you don't see the shutter, try a different lens though this is a long shot.  If it's not the lens then, unfortunately, your camera needs to be serviced.

Morris

sshapiro wrote:

Julesvernex2 wrote:

My Fuji X-T3 has, over the course of a month, developed three issues:

1. First, I started getting brief EVF/screen blackouts when zooming with a particular lens (the 70-300mm). Camera-lens contacts are clean and the lens works fine on other cameras
2. Shortly after, I started getting a "Turn off the camera and turn on again" when shooting with the mechanical shutter (initially only on portrait orientation, then on landscape as well)
3. Finally, the camera refused to turn on. I've taken out the battery and SD card, and regularly see if it comes back to life, so far with no luck

Can these three issues have the same root cause? They don't appear related, but it would be quite the coincidence to have three different problems pop up within one month, particularly in a camera that has so far worked flawlessly for 90,000+ shots.

Is there anything I can try to get the camera working again? Is it worthwhile to send it for repair?

Many thanks,

I had some strange behaviors with my X-T3 as well. They were like what you have with items 2 and 3 in your list. In my case, it turned out to be a failing SD card. I suggest you try using a different card (or two) for troubleshooting purposes.

Regrettably it doesn't seem to make a difference, as the issue persists with any card (or without one).

Lettermanian wrote:

Julesvernex2 wrote:

My Fuji X-T3 has, over the course of a month, developed three issues:

1. First, I started getting brief EVF/screen blackouts when zooming with a particular lens (the 70-300mm). Camera-lens contacts are clean and the lens works fine on other cameras
2. Shortly after, I started getting a "Turn off the camera and turn on again" when shooting with the mechanical shutter (initially only on portrait orientation, then on landscape as well)
3. Finally, the camera refused to turn on. I've taken out the battery and SD card, and regularly see if it comes back to life, so far with no luck

Can these three issues have the same root cause? They don't appear related, but it would be quite the coincidence to have three different problems pop up within one month, particularly in a camera that has so far worked flawlessly for 90,000+ shots.

Is there anything I can try to get the camera working again? Is it worthwhile to send it for repair?

Many thanks,

Just a guess, but any exposure to excess humidity, or have you been shooting near salt water? The progression of issues sounds a bit like possible moisture damage or corrosion. If it were me I'd at least pay the money to send it to Fuji repair for an estimate. However, I know how much used X-T3's are selling for locally, so if the cost for repair was too much I wouldn't do it. Disheartening I know, but these things aren't bullet proof

Edit: forgot to ask if the firmware on both camera and lens are up to date?

Yup, firmware is up to to date on both the camera and the lens.

Good point, water damage could indeed explain the chain of events! I've taken good care of the camera and it never has been in extreme environments, but it is nevertheless a well travelled camera. As you say, these things are not bullet proof: perhaps it has seen one hike or one plane trip too many...

Morris0 wrote:

Julesvernex2 wrote:

My Fuji X-T3 has, over the course of a month, developed three issues:

1. First, I started getting brief EVF/screen blackouts when zooming with a particular lens (the 70-300mm). Camera-lens contacts are clean and the lens works fine on other cameras
2. Shortly after, I started getting a "Turn off the camera and turn on again" when shooting with the mechanical shutter (initially only on portrait orientation, then on landscape as well)
3. Finally, the camera refused to turn on. I've taken out the battery and SD card, and regularly see if it comes back to life, so far with no luck

Can these three issues have the same root cause? They don't appear related, but it would be quite the coincidence to have three different problems pop up within one month, particularly in a camera that has so far worked flawlessly for 90,000+ shots.

Is there anything I can try to get the camera working again? Is it worthwhile to send it for repair?

Many thanks,

The three issues together point to a camera issue, probably a stuck shutter. If when you remove the lens you see the shutter or part of it rather than the full sensor that would confirm this. If you don't see the shutter, try a different lens though this is a long shot. If it's not the lens then, unfortunately, your camera needs to be serviced.

Morris

Ahhh, indeed, the shutter is closed, and changing the lens makes no difference. Is there a DIY way to "unstuck" the shutter (wouldn't mind using only EFCS and electronic shutter to prevent it from happening again), or is this strictly a repair centre affair?

I can't offer any suggestions on how to try and fix it yourself.

I did check on MPB and they seem to like around $880 for a used body is good++ shape. That would make me say if it was me and I was unable to get the shutter to operate normally I'd send it in for an estimate. If repair was close to $300-350 I'd pay it.

Good luck with your camera.

Morris:   good call. I'm impressed. I hadn't thought of that.

mcshan wrote:

I can't offer any suggestions on how to try and fix it yourself.

I did check on MPB and they seem to like around $880 for a used body is good++ shape. That would make me say if it was me and I was unable to get the shutter to operate normally I'd send it in for an estimate. If repair was close to $300-350 I'd pay it.

Good luck with your camera.

Morris: good call. I'm impressed. I hadn't thought of that.

Thank you! No DIY solutions I could find (apart from the rather questionable method of giving the camera a few good smacks in hopes these will release the shutter), so service repair centre it is.

Here's a quick update, in case somebody with the same issue(s) finds this thread:

The problem was indeed a stuck shutter. Fujifilm Portugal charged 150€ all-in to replace it, which I think is very reasonable for a camera that goes for around 800€ in the used market.

Thanks to everybody that helped to pinpoint the issue!