S2 died at wedding!!

[Lou Cohen]

I got my S2 last July 3rd, 2002, and have been using it heavily since, primarily for weddings. I estimate about 20,000 exposures so far, and I've been absolutely delighted with the camera, as I've said so many times before here. The Fuji S2 gives me GREAT JPEGs right out of the camera, and lessens my post-processing tremendously.

I had one occasion to take it to Fuji service in NJ last year, where I met a wonderful technician named Tom. He was the one who advised me to switch the focus from the shutter release to the ae/af lock button on the rear upper panel, which completely eliminated my focus problem!

When the S2 died tonight, I switched to my S1, and was able to finish the job seamlessly. It underscored what a great improvement the S2 is over the S1!

Now, the problem is: I have another wedding Friday night (the 25th), AND, I'm leaving for a Canadian Rockies vacation the very next morning! I'm going to BRING the S2 to Fuji Monday morning, and hopefully, they'll be able to have it ready for Thursday afternoon. I've found Fuji to be particularly responsive to professional photographers, and that is one of the reasons I'm such a heavy promoter of this camera and Fuji itself.

I'll keep you guys posted, but I'm SURE Fuji will come through!

Happy Shooting!

Lou

 

[John Fulton]

Hi Lou,

Like a Pro you did have a backup. Fuji should fix your camera or give you a loaner til yours is fixed. You did not mention what died meant ? Please let us know the outcome. I'm going on 75,000 captures and I know time is now runnin against me.
JHF
http://www.pbase.com/s1procam

 

[Evan Effa]

Sorry to hear of your failure..

Could you eloborate more on the focus lock change & how you did it?

Thanks & good luck with the servicing..

-evan

I got my S2 last July 3rd, 2002, and have been using it heavily
since, primarily for weddings. I estimate about 20,000 exposures so
far, and I've been absolutely delighted with the camera, as I've
said so many times before here. The Fuji S2 gives me GREAT JPEGs
right out of the camera, and lessens my post-processing
tremendously.

I had one occasion to take it to Fuji service in NJ last year,
where I met a wonderful technician named Tom. He was the one who
advised me to switch the focus from the shutter release to the
ae/af lock button on the rear upper panel, which completely
eliminated my focus problem!

When the S2 died tonight, I switched to my S1, and was able to
finish the job seamlessly. It underscored what a great improvement
the S2 is over the S1!

Now, the problem is: I have another wedding Friday night (the
25th), AND, I'm leaving for a Canadian Rockies vacation the very
next morning! I'm going to BRING the S2 to Fuji Monday morning, and
hopefully, they'll be able to have it ready for Thursday afternoon.
I've found Fuji to be particularly responsive to professional
photographers, and that is one of the reasons I'm such a heavy
promoter of this camera and Fuji itself.

I'll keep you guys posted, but I'm SURE Fuji will come through!

Happy Shooting!

Lou

--
Fuji S2 etc.

http://www.pbase.com/eheffa

 

[Marty Megapixel]

I'm very interested in this too. I have too many focus issues and I'm waiting for Fuji to get back to me when they have a loaner available to I can send my S2 in to them to be checked.
Marty

Could you eloborate more on the focus lock change & how you did it?

Thanks & good luck with the servicing..

-evan

I got my S2 last July 3rd, 2002, and have been using it heavily
since, primarily for weddings. I estimate about 20,000 exposures so
far, and I've been absolutely delighted with the camera, as I've
said so many times before here. The Fuji S2 gives me GREAT JPEGs
right out of the camera, and lessens my post-processing
tremendously.

I had one occasion to take it to Fuji service in NJ last year,
where I met a wonderful technician named Tom. He was the one who
advised me to switch the focus from the shutter release to the
ae/af lock button on the rear upper panel, which completely
eliminated my focus problem!

When the S2 died tonight, I switched to my S1, and was able to
finish the job seamlessly. It underscored what a great improvement
the S2 is over the S1!

Now, the problem is: I have another wedding Friday night (the
25th), AND, I'm leaving for a Canadian Rockies vacation the very
next morning! I'm going to BRING the S2 to Fuji Monday morning, and
hopefully, they'll be able to have it ready for Thursday afternoon.
I've found Fuji to be particularly responsive to professional
photographers, and that is one of the reasons I'm such a heavy
promoter of this camera and Fuji itself.

I'll keep you guys posted, but I'm SURE Fuji will come through!

Happy Shooting!

Lou

--
Fuji S2 etc.

http://www.pbase.com/eheffa

 

[Robert Harrington]

Don't recall your mentioning it before - what exactly do you mean by "switch the focus from the shutter release to the ae/af lock button"?

Robert

I got my S2 last July 3rd, 2002, and have been using it heavily
since, primarily for weddings. I estimate about 20,000 exposures so
far, and I've been absolutely delighted with the camera, as I've
said so many times before here. The Fuji S2 gives me GREAT JPEGs
right out of the camera, and lessens my post-processing
tremendously.

I had one occasion to take it to Fuji service in NJ last year,
where I met a wonderful technician named Tom. He was the one who
advised me to switch the focus from the shutter release to the
ae/af lock button on the rear upper panel, which completely
eliminated my focus problem!

When the S2 died tonight, I switched to my S1, and was able to
finish the job seamlessly. It underscored what a great improvement
the S2 is over the S1!

Now, the problem is: I have another wedding Friday night (the
25th), AND, I'm leaving for a Canadian Rockies vacation the very
next morning! I'm going to BRING the S2 to Fuji Monday morning, and
hopefully, they'll be able to have it ready for Thursday afternoon.
I've found Fuji to be particularly responsive to professional
photographers, and that is one of the reasons I'm such a heavy
promoter of this camera and Fuji itself.

I'll keep you guys posted, but I'm SURE Fuji will come through!

Happy Shooting!

Lou

 

[Dan Christenson]

Robert,

Check your manual for CSM settings, if I remeber correctly you can change the function of that button in the settings.

Dan.

 

[Robert Harrington]

That's right, Dan, it's no. 9 and there are 5 possible settings. I'd like to know which one Lou chose and what focus problem was solved by it.

R.

Robert,

Check your manual for CSM settings, if I remeber correctly you can
change the function of that button in the settings.

Dan.

 

[Peter69322]

I can speak for Lou here, I shoot weddings with him/for him time to time. I actually suggested this to him first but he only listened when he heard it from Fuji ;> )
You can set the rear AF-AE button to AF only in CSM 9 (last choice). This takes

AF away from the shutter. One source of focus error is when you lock a focus with the shutter and try and hold the 1/2 press while you reframe. If you release tension and reengage it, you change focus. The advantages of using the rear AF/AE as AF are that in cont focus you can keep focusing moving subject right through the shutter release by holding this button down. In single servo, you can focus, let go, and reframe, or just hold it down if framed the way you want it, but either way you eliminate the accidental change in focus that can occur by subtly releasing the shutter button and reengaging it. For me, it's the only way to go. Best....Peter

R.

Robert,

Check your manual for CSM settings, if I remeber correctly you can
change the function of that button in the settings.

Dan.

 

[Venicia L]

I can speak for Lou here, I shoot weddings with him/for him time
to time. I actually suggested this to him first but he only
listened when he heard it from Fuji ;> )
You can set the rear AF-AE button to AF only in CSM 9 (last
choice). This takes
AF away from the shutter. One source of focus error is when you
lock a focus with the shutter and try and hold the 1/2 press while
you reframe. If you release tension and reengage it, you change
focus. The advantages of using the rear AF/AE as AF are that in
cont focus you can keep focusing moving subject right through the
shutter release by holding this button down. In single servo, you
can focus, let go, and reframe, or just hold it down if framed the
way you want it, but either way you eliminate the accidental change
in focus that can occur by subtly releasing the shutter button and
reengaging it. For me, it's the only way to go. Best....Peter

Peter,

That is a GREAT suggestion. I never would have understood the change in operation described in the manual (and hadn't until now). Using the AE-AF button on the back to focus, leaving the shutter release to . . . um, release the shutter . . . is far superior to the combined focus/shutter default action of the shutter release button.

VL

 

[Peter69322]

Venica- You can still get a bit more out of that shutter release. Make sure CSM 5, AE lock is on. Then a 1/2 shutter locks exposure. So if there is a neutral grey in the environment, you meter that (in spot or central meter mode), hold the 1/2 press, frame the shot and go. Or if you want to meter for highlights, do the same by metering the highlight, 1/2 press and hold, and frame. Basically you get AF lock and AE lock separated in a more user friendly way. Best....Peter

I can speak for Lou here, I shoot weddings with him/for him time
to time. I actually suggested this to him first but he only
listened when he heard it from Fuji ;> )
You can set the rear AF-AE button to AF only in CSM 9 (last
choice). This takes
AF away from the shutter. One source of focus error is when you
lock a focus with the shutter and try and hold the 1/2 press while
you reframe. If you release tension and reengage it, you change
focus. The advantages of using the rear AF/AE as AF are that in
cont focus you can keep focusing moving subject right through the
shutter release by holding this button down. In single servo, you
can focus, let go, and reframe, or just hold it down if framed the
way you want it, but either way you eliminate the accidental change
in focus that can occur by subtly releasing the shutter button and
reengaging it. For me, it's the only way to go. Best....Peter

Peter,

That is a GREAT suggestion. I never would have understood the
change in operation described in the manual (and hadn't until now).
Using the AE-AF button on the back to focus, leaving the shutter
release to . . . um, release the shutter . . . is far superior to
the combined focus/shutter default action of the shutter release
button.

VL

 

[Venicia L]

Venica- You can still get a bit more out of that shutter release.
Make sure CSM 5, AE lock is on. Then a 1/2 shutter locks exposure.
So if there is a neutral grey in the environment, you meter that
(in spot or central meter mode), hold the 1/2 press, frame the shot
and go. Or if you want to meter for highlights, do the same by
metering the highlight, 1/2 press and hold, and frame. Basically
you get AF lock and AE lock separated in a more user friendly way.
Best....Peter

Peter,

More good advice. Thank you.

I shoot almost everything in manual exposure mode of one kind or another, but your advice gives me additional control. I'll practice using it for a while.

VL

 

[Peter69322]

You're welcome, VL. I took a look at your prior threads, I must have been out of town when you joined the forum. Welcome! Great to have someone with your experience amongst us. I'll keep you in mind with my retouching questions for sure! Best...Peter

Venica- You can still get a bit more out of that shutter release.
Make sure CSM 5, AE lock is on. Then a 1/2 shutter locks exposure.
So if there is a neutral grey in the environment, you meter that
(in spot or central meter mode), hold the 1/2 press, frame the shot
and go. Or if you want to meter for highlights, do the same by
metering the highlight, 1/2 press and hold, and frame. Basically
you get AF lock and AE lock separated in a more user friendly way.
Best....Peter

Peter,

More good advice. Thank you.

I shoot almost everything in manual exposure mode of one kind or
another, but your advice gives me additional control. I'll practice
using it for a while.

VL

 

[Peter69322]

Give me a call, I think I can spare mine next weekend.....Peter

I got my S2 last July 3rd, 2002, and have been using it heavily
since, primarily for weddings. I estimate about 20,000 exposures so
far, and I've been absolutely delighted with the camera, as I've
said so many times before here. The Fuji S2 gives me GREAT JPEGs
right out of the camera, and lessens my post-processing
tremendously.

I had one occasion to take it to Fuji service in NJ last year,
where I met a wonderful technician named Tom. He was the one who
advised me to switch the focus from the shutter release to the
ae/af lock button on the rear upper panel, which completely
eliminated my focus problem!

When the S2 died tonight, I switched to my S1, and was able to
finish the job seamlessly. It underscored what a great improvement
the S2 is over the S1!

Now, the problem is: I have another wedding Friday night (the
25th), AND, I'm leaving for a Canadian Rockies vacation the very
next morning! I'm going to BRING the S2 to Fuji Monday morning, and
hopefully, they'll be able to have it ready for Thursday afternoon.
I've found Fuji to be particularly responsive to professional
photographers, and that is one of the reasons I'm such a heavy
promoter of this camera and Fuji itself.

I'll keep you guys posted, but I'm SURE Fuji will come through!

Happy Shooting!

Lou

 

[Brian Pamphilon]

How exactly did your S2 die? What happened? And is there any way of preventing what happended?

I got my S2 last July 3rd, 2002, and have been using it heavily
since, primarily for weddings. I estimate about 20,000 exposures so
far, and I've been absolutely delighted with the camera, as I've
said so many times before here. The Fuji S2 gives me GREAT JPEGs
right out of the camera, and lessens my post-processing
tremendously.

I had one occasion to take it to Fuji service in NJ last year,
where I met a wonderful technician named Tom. He was the one who
advised me to switch the focus from the shutter release to the
ae/af lock button on the rear upper panel, which completely
eliminated my focus problem!

When the S2 died tonight, I switched to my S1, and was able to
finish the job seamlessly. It underscored what a great improvement
the S2 is over the S1!

Now, the problem is: I have another wedding Friday night (the
25th), AND, I'm leaving for a Canadian Rockies vacation the very
next morning! I'm going to BRING the S2 to Fuji Monday morning, and
hopefully, they'll be able to have it ready for Thursday afternoon.
I've found Fuji to be particularly responsive to professional
photographers, and that is one of the reasons I'm such a heavy
promoter of this camera and Fuji itself.

I'll keep you guys posted, but I'm SURE Fuji will come through!

Happy Shooting!

Lou

 

[Lou Cohen]

Hi Lou,
Like a Pro you did have a backup. Fuji should fix your camera or
give you a loaner til yours is fixed. You did not mention what died
meant ? Please let us know the outcome.

Hi, John. What 'died' was the instant return mirror. It just completely stopped moving.
Lou

 

[Lou Cohen]

I can speak for Lou here, I shoot weddings with him/for him time
to time. I actually suggested this to him first but he only
listened when he heard it from Fuji ;> )
You can set the rear AF-AE button to AF only in CSM 9 (last
choice). This takes
AF away from the shutter. One source of focus error is when you
lock a focus with the shutter and try and hold the 1/2 press while
you reframe. If you release tension and reengage it, you change
focus. The advantages of using the rear AF/AE as AF are that in
cont focus you can keep focusing moving subject right through the
shutter release by holding this button down. In single servo, you
can focus, let go, and reframe, or just hold it down if framed the
way you want it, but either way you eliminate the accidental change
in focus that can occur by subtly releasing the shutter button and
reengaging it. For me, it's the only way to go. Best....Peter

Thanks, Peter.
That's exactly right!
Lou

 

[Lou Cohen]

Give me a call, I think I can spare mine next weekend.....Peter

Peter, you're the best!!! Thanks very much for your kind offer. I drove to Edison, NJ yesterday and gave them my S2 at 1:15PM. Today I came back to the studio to find an answering machine message from 12:30 TODAY.... My camera was READY! They had it less than 24 hours, and there was no charge! They fixed it under warrantee, even though the warrantee was up by some three weeks. Now THAT is what I call customer service!

Seems that the S2 is built in two pieces... The digital rear of the camera by Fuji, and the mechanical front of the camera, of course by Nikon. They simply replaced the front N80 part of the camera with a new one, and they then send off the old, broken mechanical 'front' to Nikon in Melville for repair.

And yes, it WAS Peter who originally suggested I change the autofocus activation away from the shutter release. But, its hard to take advice on technical stuff from someone of extremely advanced age, like Peter!

(Just kidding. Peter and I are within DAYS of each other's ages. I, however, look MUCH younger. )

Thanks again, Pete!

Lou

 

[Peter69322]

Great news, Lou. I also had a great experience with them back when I first bought the S2. I had too many stuck pixels, and they replaced the sensor. On return, the shutter failed, and they immediately replaced the body, as they did for you.

"(Just kidding. Peter and I are within DAYS of each other's ages. I,
however, look MUCH younger."

Now, too bad they don't fix delusional thinking as well as they do cameras;> )
best....Peter

Peter, you're the best!!! Thanks very much for your kind offer. I
drove to Edison, NJ yesterday and gave them my S2 at 1:15PM. Today
I came back to the studio to find an answering machine message from
12:30 TODAY.... My camera was READY! They had it less than 24
hours, and there was no charge! They fixed it under warrantee, even
though the warrantee was up by some three weeks. Now THAT is what I
call customer service!

Seems that the S2 is built in two pieces... The digital rear of the
camera by Fuji, and the mechanical front of the camera, of course
by Nikon. They simply replaced the front N80 part of the camera
with a new one, and they then send off the old, broken mechanical
'front' to Nikon in Melville for repair.

And yes, it WAS Peter who originally suggested I change the
autofocus activation away from the shutter release. But, its hard
to take advice on technical stuff from someone of extremely
advanced age, like Peter!

(Just kidding. Peter and I are within DAYS of each other's ages. I,
however, look MUCH younger. )

Thanks again, Pete!

Lou

 

[dave Duggan]

I can speak for Lou here, I shoot weddings with him/for him time
to time. I actually suggested this to him first but he only
listened when he heard it from Fuji ;> )
You can set the rear AF-AE button to AF only in CSM 9 (last
choice). This takes
AF away from the shutter. One source of focus error is when you
lock a focus with the shutter and try and hold the 1/2 press while
you reframe. If you release tension and reengage it, you change
focus. The advantages of using the rear AF/AE as AF are that in
cont focus you can keep focusing moving subject right through the
shutter release by holding this button down. In single servo, you
can focus, let go, and reframe, or just hold it down if framed the
way you want it, but either way you eliminate the accidental change
in focus that can occur by subtly releasing the shutter button and
reengaging it. For me, it's the only way to go. Best....Peter

Thanks, Peter.
That's exactly right!
Lou

Peter,

let me get this right. If I have the focus set using the rear AF/AE as AF I must press the AF/AE button every time I am ready to shoot? or are you saying only if I want to reframe I must press the AF/AE button.

Dave

 

[ResIpsaLoquitur]

I switched to using the AE lock buton to focus when I purchased a Sigma 180mm HSM Macro lens. This lens has no manual auto focus swtich, so using the rear button allows me to manually focus most of the time, but I can get a dash of autofocus if needed by hitting the rear AE lock button.

In fact using the AE lock button to focus has proved to be a much better way of working with other lenses. If you think about it, it is not very effficient to combine autofocus and the shutter release.

RIL