s400 from Dell

[andmmy]

Hi,

I ordered the s400 from Dell on the Thurs. the 17th and received it on Monday the 21st. Pretty good delivery time considering all the delays some others have experienced from Dell.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned. My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is totally below and to the right of the center box. The only time it is touching the center box is when it is in Macro. Even at 3 ft away at wide angle it already is totally out of the box. Forget it at 5 - 6 ft! I can still take the picture eventhough it hasn't locked focus but I can't help but to think that the picture could be much sharper/focused if the AF light was able to lock on it.

I know this subject was discussed awhile back and I've read through most of the posts on the subject. While I hate to "beat a dead horse" was there any consensus as to if this is just a "quirk" on the S400 and I should just learn to live with it? When the AF light is not aligned are your pics as sharp as you like it to be? Maybe I should call Dell and try to swap for another one and just hope that the second one will be better.

Andmmy

 

[Kenstee]

Maybe I should call Dell and try to swap for another one and just hope
that the second one will be better.

You just paid $400 for a camera it should be perfect. Send it back. Call their Cust Service and they will let you know how its done,

 

[A Owens]

The alignment will vary depending on distance but if its that far out and not aligning at any distance except macro then send it back.

Hi,

I ordered the s400 from Dell on the Thurs. the 17th and received it
on Monday the 21st. Pretty good delivery time considering all the
delays some others have experienced from Dell.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box. The only time it
is touching the center box is when it is in Macro. Even at 3 ft
away at wide angle it already is totally out of the box. Forget it
at 5 - 6 ft! I can still take the picture eventhough it hasn't
locked focus but I can't help but to think that the picture could
be much sharper/focused if the AF light was able to lock on it.

I know this subject was discussed awhile back and I've read through
most of the posts on the subject. While I hate to "beat a dead
horse" was there any consensus as to if this is just a "quirk" on
the S400 and I should just learn to live with it? When the AF light
is not aligned are your pics as sharp as you like it to be? Maybe
I should call Dell and try to swap for another one and just hope
that the second one will be better.

Andmmy

 

[Dan26]

Hey andmmy, Im just wondering where you live and if you got the standard free shipping because I also ordered one from Dell on Thursday. Just want to see if mine will get here this quick! Thanks.

Hi,

I ordered the s400 from Dell on the Thurs. the 17th and received it
on Monday the 21st. Pretty good delivery time considering all the
delays some others have experienced from Dell.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box. The only time it
is touching the center box is when it is in Macro. Even at 3 ft
away at wide angle it already is totally out of the box. Forget it
at 5 - 6 ft! I can still take the picture eventhough it hasn't
locked focus but I can't help but to think that the picture could
be much sharper/focused if the AF light was able to lock on it.

I know this subject was discussed awhile back and I've read through
most of the posts on the subject. While I hate to "beat a dead
horse" was there any consensus as to if this is just a "quirk" on
the S400 and I should just learn to live with it? When the AF light
is not aligned are your pics as sharp as you like it to be? Maybe
I should call Dell and try to swap for another one and just hope
that the second one will be better.

Andmmy

 

[andmmy]

I live in NYC. I just called them to get a replacement and was told it would be here in 5 - 7 days

Hi,

I ordered the s400 from Dell on the Thurs. the 17th and received it
on Monday the 21st. Pretty good delivery time considering all the
delays some others have experienced from Dell.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box. The only time it
is touching the center box is when it is in Macro. Even at 3 ft
away at wide angle it already is totally out of the box. Forget it
at 5 - 6 ft! I can still take the picture eventhough it hasn't
locked focus but I can't help but to think that the picture could
be much sharper/focused if the AF light was able to lock on it.

I know this subject was discussed awhile back and I've read through
most of the posts on the subject. While I hate to "beat a dead
horse" was there any consensus as to if this is just a "quirk" on
the S400 and I should just learn to live with it? When the AF light
is not aligned are your pics as sharp as you like it to be? Maybe
I should call Dell and try to swap for another one and just hope
that the second one will be better.

Andmmy

 

[dmv]

Can someone show me step-by-step how to check to see if my AF light is out of alignment or not? I just bought a S400, too, but I do not know how to check for the AF light being aligned or not. Thanks in advance for a prompt response!

DMV

Hi,

I ordered the s400 from Dell on the Thurs. the 17th and received it
on Monday the 21st. Pretty good delivery time considering all the
delays some others have experienced from Dell.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box. The only time it
is touching the center box is when it is in Macro. Even at 3 ft
away at wide angle it already is totally out of the box. Forget it
at 5 - 6 ft! I can still take the picture eventhough it hasn't
locked focus but I can't help but to think that the picture could
be much sharper/focused if the AF light was able to lock on it.

I know this subject was discussed awhile back and I've read through
most of the posts on the subject. While I hate to "beat a dead
horse" was there any consensus as to if this is just a "quirk" on
the S400 and I should just learn to live with it? When the AF light
is not aligned are your pics as sharp as you like it to be? Maybe
I should call Dell and try to swap for another one and just hope
that the second one will be better.

Andmmy

 

[indulis]

Can someone show me step-by-step how to check to see if my AF light
is out of alignment or not? I just bought a S400, too, but I do
not know how to check for the AF light being aligned or not.
Thanks in advance for a prompt response!

I had the same question...

Go into Menu and turn AiAF off, so you can now see the centre focus square on the viewfinder. Turn on the AF beam in the menu. Exit the menus.

Push the flash mode button until you get the night portait mode (person with star behind them). This seems to turn on the AF beam, even if it turned off in the menu!

Now, in a darkened room, choose a wall to focus on from about 6ft/2m away, set the lens to wide angle, and half-press the shutter. You should see the red dot appear in the middle of the square. Or at least the red dot should be in the square! If not I think you have a problem.

The AF assist seems to be most effective only to about 6 ft/2m away. Don't forget that the AF uses vertical lines to focus on (or horizontal ones if you've got the camera at 90 degrees rotation).

All of this is just my opinion... as there seem to be no specs about the AF assist beam.

Cheers,

Indulis

 

[Kenstee]

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the new one is dead center!!!

 

[andmmy]

Thanks, I hope I'll have the same good fortune as you did. I've seen some posts where people say that as long as the pictures are good then don't "nic pick" about the misaligned AF light, but since obviously there are s400s out there with a dead centered AF light (like yours) then we should demand no less. After all it's not like this is some cheap disposable.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

 

[jianjun]

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement today, it have the same problem (even worst).

 

[mahjungpan]

Hi ! All S400 owners: I am thinking to buy a S400. Could you tell me how much you pay for yours and where you got it ? Thank you very much ! MJ

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement
today, it have the same problem (even worst).

--
MJ

 

[James_MG]

From Dell for about $410 (10% off 499, plus a $40 instant coupon)..i've seen cheaper from a few online vendors, but wanted to pay a bit extra and go with a name i knew.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement
today, it have the same problem (even worst).

--
MJ

 

[Kenstee]

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement
today, it have the same problem (even worst).

Shipped from Jonestown, PA. Came via Airbourne overnight. I submitted my complaint on Thursday 7/17. It arrived on Tuesday 7/22. They will also be shipping me a prepaid label to ship the defective unit back. I'm impressed -- But not enough to give up my Apple for a Dell!!!!

 

[andmmy]

Where was your replacement shipped from? My original s400 was shipped from Ingram Micro in Tenn.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement
today, it have the same problem (even worst).

 

[andmmy]

JJYe,

Where is your replacement shipped from? My original s400 was shipped from Tenn.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement
today, it have the same problem (even worst).

 

[Kenstee]

Where is your replacement shipped from? My original s400 was
shipped from Tenn.

Hmmmm. My first one with the misaligned AF light came from Tenn as well. The replacement (which is 100% on target) came from Jonestown, PA. Wonder if there was a bad batch of S400s in Tenn?

 

[andmmy]

Just got off the phone with Dell for the third time. First time Monday, second time Tuesday and just now again tonight regarding the replacement.

After I called on Monday the CSR said that I would get an email confirming the replacement order....no email received. Called Dell Tuesday regarding the lack of email and was told no replacement order was put through on Monday. Tuesday's CSR said he would put the order though and even gave me a case #. Still no email received by Wednesday. Called tonight and the CSR said a case # was set up but the replacement order was not put through. Tonight's CSR said he would put it through and gave me another case # and said that I should get a confirming email regarding the order within 24 hours. Oh, he also said that the replacement would be shipped out within 7 -10 business days. I guess I'll check my email tomorrow and see if another call to Dell is warranted.

Wish me luck.

Where is your replacement shipped from? My original s400 was
shipped from Tenn.

Hmmmm. My first one with the misaligned AF light came from Tenn as
well. The replacement (which is 100% on target) came from
Jonestown, PA. Wonder if there was a bad batch of S400s in Tenn?

 

[jianjun]

Where is your replacement shipped from? My original s400 was
shipped from Tenn.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement
today, it have the same problem (even worst).

My first one was shipped from CARROLLTON, TX and second one was from MILLINGTON,TN.

 

[andmmy]

Well, Dell came through with my second s400. The second one came from Jonestown, Pa. also and the AF assist light is perfectly centered. I'm able to get a focus lock from 6ft away in a totally pitch black room. What a difference from the first s400 I received! The s400 is so much fun and the pictures have made me a believer.

Dell processed my request on a Friday and I received my camera on a Tuesday morning. Not bad at all. Now if only they will send me the return form so I can return the first camera to them.

After I called on Monday the CSR said that I would get an email
confirming the replacement order....no email received. Called Dell
Tuesday regarding the lack of email and was told no replacement
order was put through on Monday. Tuesday's CSR said he would put
the order though and even gave me a case #. Still no email
received by Wednesday. Called tonight and the CSR said a case #
was set up but the replacement order was not put through.
Tonight's CSR said he would put it through and gave me another case

1. and said that I should get a confirming email regarding the order

within 24 hours. Oh, he also said that the replacement would be
shipped out within 7 -10 business days. I guess I'll check my
email tomorrow and see if another call to Dell is warranted.

Wish me luck.

Where is your replacement shipped from? My original s400 was
shipped from Tenn.

Hmmmm. My first one with the misaligned AF light came from Tenn as
well. The replacement (which is 100% on target) came from
Jonestown, PA. Wonder if there was a bad batch of S400s in Tenn?

 

[Todd Scheinoha]

Where is your replacement shipped from? My original s400 was
shipped from Tenn.

I'd played with a friend's s400 and was thoroughly impressed by the
camera and so decided to order one for myself, and now that it's
here I'm somewhat dissappointed by the AF light being misaligned.
My friend's was dead centered in his focus box while mine is
totally below and to the right of the center box.

I had the same mis-alignmnt problem. Just wanted to let you know I
just received a replacement S400 from Dell and the AF light on the
new one is dead center!!!

Where is your replacement shipped from? I just got my replacement
today, it have the same problem (even worst).

My first one was shipped from CARROLLTON, TX and second one was
from MILLINGTON,TN.

I just got mine from BestBuy yesterday and have noticed about half of my shots are blurry too. I just did the test in my dark bathroom. The red dot was about half way down on the sqare but centered. Do you think this could be my issue. The red dot is in about half of the sqare.
Thanks
Todd