HS50 EXR Aging Issues

[ChuckE2]

Last month marked the 10th year I’ve had my HS50EXR and I started thinking perhaps it’s time to replace it. But after looking, reading and asking questions, I’ve decided to keep the old s.o.b.

As so often happens, a couple of years ago the camera went through the sticky body syndrome. I tried a couple of the suggested remedies found online but ultimately just kept using it as is. Now the surface isn’t sticky. Maybe it’s dried up some. Certainly, by looking at it, you can tell it’s picked up a lot of dirt, dust, etc. and I’m sure that helps. Doesn’t look very attractive but who cares so long as it still works?

That brings me to my two questions:

• A couple of times, the lcd monitor has gone black while in use. I was too far away from the EVF to have caused it. The weather wasn’t a factor; it wasn’t too humid or rainy. I’d close the EVF and usually it’d be fine when reopened although there were times when I’d have to do that more than once. My guess is it’s a problem with the ribbon cable. Has anyone encountered this and what possible solutions might there be?

• The rubber piece on the body where one’s thumb rests has started to detach itself from the body. I’ve cleaned out the old adhesive and used Scotch 924 tape (a.k.a. snot tape) with limited success to try holding it in place. Any suggestions?

Thanks very much.

 

[darobin1]

I was able to salvage both HX50 cams purchased new years ago, one with my son, one is mine. Used a combination of rubbing alcohol, Purple Power, and an orange-based cleaner. This succeeded in removing most if not all of the sticky surface and preserved the rubber, at least for now. HS50 is a great camera, one of the fastest super zooms, together with SONY IV, Fuji XS-1, Samsung NX-1

 

[Tim Murphy]

Dear ChuckE2,

I've cleaned an HS-50, a Nikon N80, and a Canon Elan all of which had sticky gummy coverings.

I tried alcohol, as well as commercial cleaners and restoration products and was ready to give up. I could hold my HS-50 in my hand, open my hand and let my arm fall to my side and the camera stayed put it was that gummy. I found that works best is unscented gel hand sanitizer.

It's not a fast process but it isn't awfully slow or tedious. I simply applied the gel sanitizer to the bodies rubbing it in with my fingers. I'd wait a couple of minutes and then start slowly rubbing the gummy stuff off with a piece of white cotton T-shirt. Stubborn spots took more than one pass, but I cleaned all 3 cameras about a year ago in about an hour. So far, they remain goo free!

My other caution is that the black residue that you take off with the T-shirt can be transferred to clothes or other items if you aren't careful.

Give the sanitizer gel a try, I'll bet you'll be pleased with the results.

Regards,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg PA

 

[OutsideTheMatrix]

Last month marked the 10th year I’ve had my HS50EXR and I started thinking perhaps it’s time to replace it. But after looking, reading and asking questions, I’ve decided to keep the old s.o.b.

As so often happens, a couple of years ago the camera went through the sticky body syndrome. I tried a couple of the suggested remedies found online but ultimately just kept using it as is. Now the surface isn’t sticky. Maybe it’s dried up some. Certainly, by looking at it, you can tell it’s picked up a lot of dirt, dust, etc. and I’m sure that helps. Doesn’t look very attractive but who cares so long as it still works?

That brings me to my two questions:

• A couple of times, the lcd monitor has gone black while in use. I was too far away from the EVF to have caused it. The weather wasn’t a factor; it wasn’t too humid or rainy. I’d close the EVF and usually it’d be fine when reopened although there were times when I’d have to do that more than once. My guess is it’s a problem with the ribbon cable. Has anyone encountered this and what possible solutions might there be?

• The rubber piece on the body where one’s thumb rests has started to detach itself from the body. I’ve cleaned out the old adhesive and used Scotch 924 tape (a.k.a. snot tape) with limited success to try holding it in place. Any suggestions?

Thanks very much.

I love the HS50 but it's been showing aging issues for me too. The mode dial "spins'"-- that is whatever mode I set it to, it wants to move around and set itself to something else. I see this is a common problem with this camera but I haven't found a solution for it-- Fuji repair told me they no longer service consumer cameras?

 

[ChuckE2]

Thanks for the contributions. Rubbing alcohol worked very nicely on the clean-up.

I've been able to get the node at the end of the thumb pad to stay in place but have yet to find a way to stick the rest of it to the body.

 

[PeterRivo]

I have the same exact issue with the settings changing.

I am not sure what to do about it.

Perhaps I will try manual mode.

 

[OutsideTheMatrix]

I have the same exact issue with the settings changing.

I am not sure what to do about it.

Perhaps I will try manual mode.

The mode dial picks up dirt and dust and it causes the mode to change on its own. I've started exclusively using aperture priority mode, it's the only position on the mode dial where this problem doesn't happen.