Really like my X100 but...

sar-photo · 03-30-2012

I'm having to send it back to Fuji because of the sticky aperture problem. This will be the third time it has been returned for the same problem in 9 months. The previous two times Fuji replaced the lens but the problem keeps on coming back.

I've asked that the Customer Services Manager give me a call on Monday as I'm not happy with them replacing the lens for a third time and I'd like to know what my options are - replacement, refund etc

What do you think I should do?

I really like the camera - I just wish it was more reliable!

Cheers
Simon

bgb · 03-30-2012

Ask for a new camera as there is somthing very wrong with the one you have. I'm guessing that the warranty will run out one day soon and you need to get it sorted before then.

Richard G · 03-30-2012

Mine was returned twice for the shutter speed selector staying at 1/4000s and not activating A when turned to that. On the first return it had a new lens and worked well until it failed some weeks later. On the second return they had changed the whole top of the camera. After a few days the EVF was non-functional as the OVF blind had stopped coming down. My expert dealer rang me yesterday to say that he has negotiated with Fuji to exchange mine for a new recent build date camera. Pretty fair deal from my point of view. There must be lots of them with no problems. I am having to make do with an M9 in the meantime.

gb hill · 03-30-2012

Ask for a new one. No..I take that back...Demand a new one!

Spyro · 03-30-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G

My expert dealer rang me yesterday to say that he has negotiated with Fuji to exchange mine for a new recent build date camera.

Would that be Lachie by any chance?

Mine has been returned twice, once with the OVF blind stuck halfway down and once with the whole shutter button assembly destroyed by a soft release

Both times Fuji fixed it under warranty. Now the warranty has expired and having bought the XPro1 I'm not sure if I want to keep both, or which one. In many ways I still prefer the 100 (pocketability, silent shutter and MUCH bigger OVF-almost double), but the 1 has that awesome lens collection.

clicker · 03-30-2012

Humm, Maybe Fuji might be well served to extend their warranty coverage for let's say two years.

Keith · 03-30-2012

I think a known problem like these sticky aperture blades will have to be a gimmee from Fuji outside the normal warranty period. It's the one real re-occuring fault with an otherwise great camera.

gavinlg · 03-30-2012

I had the lens unit on mine replaced last year in later October if I'm remembering correctly. I've used it since then pretty much every day - I'd say 5000 or so frames later and it's been flawless since.

jsrockit · 03-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by gb hill

Ask for a new one. No..I take that back...Demand a new one!

Yes, yes, yes!

Richard G · 03-31-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spyro

Would that be Lachie by any chance?

Mine has been returned twice, once with the OVF blind stuck halfway down and once with the whole shutter button assembly destroyed by a soft release

Both times Fuji fixed it under warranty. Now the warranty has expired and having bought the XPro1 I'm not sure if I want to keep both, or which one. In many ways I still prefer the 100 (pocketability, silent shutter and MUCH bigger OVF-almost double), but the 1 has that awesome lens collection.

Hi Spyro. Yes Lachie indeed. I have been very tempted by the X-Pro 1 having loved the X100, but it might have been the end of my Leica usage and having indulged in the M9 to forestall that, I can't justify the new system let alone the expense. But those lenses do look good.

FalseDigital · 03-31-2012

Just curious, those of you with X100 problems did you buy your camera when it was first released?

I'm just wondering if the newer builds are more reliable.

sar-photo · 03-31-2012

Mine is quite an early one - S/N 824.

I'm hoping the newer ones are more reliable.

Simon

Richard G · 04-07-2012

Fuji not only completely replaced my X100 but have provided a further 12 month warranty. The new one is recent build and is working perfectly.

umcelinho · 05-26-2012

...but a few days ago i got the sticky aperture blade issue.

at least the warranty is valid worldwide, i got mine in the US but live in Brazil. expected turnaround for fixing it can be up to 90-120 days for cameras not bought in Brazil... which sucks, really.

v_roma · 06-11-2012

I am getting really discouraged by the whole sticky blade issue. In particular, by the fact that Simon had to return his camera three times. My understanding is that the repair for the sticky blade issue was to replace the lens assembly entirely. So, unless they didn't do this for Simon's camera, there is no reason for it to keep happening other than that they still haven't figured out how to solve the problem even with newer production.

I am in a conundrum myself. I had an early model with the sticky blade. Sent it in for repair last year and it had been working fine since. Unfortunately, I dropped the camera a month or so ago and had to send it in for repair. It was unrepairable so they offered to replace it with a new dealer stock unit, for which I paid ~75% of the cost of a new unit. However, within a few days of receiving the new unit, I noticed that it had the sticky aperture issue. I sent it to Fuji but have not heard back. The warranty on repairs is only 3 months so I'm not sure I feel comfortable keeping the camera or if I should ask for a refund (assuming I have that option) and move on. It's a sad situation. It takes such great pictures.

bhop73 · 06-11-2012

I just got mine back from my second time SAB repair... I considered selling it off when it got back, but I ended up really missing it while it was gone, so as long as Fuji is willing to fix it, i'll just keep using it. The turnaround for repair was literally one week, shipped there and back.. not a big deal.

v_roma · 06-11-2012

That's generally been my thinking as well. However, unless Fuji extended their warranty, I would be getting back a camera with a 3-month repair warranty. Best case scenario they give me a new 1-year warranty. Neither, to be honest, makes me feel all that secure given the history with this camera (my own personal history and what I read from others). Without an official statement or policy on Fuji's part, if the camera fails from the sticky blade outside the warranty period, I may be out of luck. I don't have an endless source of money to keep pouring into this camera no matter how great it is. I don't mean to sound bitter (although I am somewhat), I'm just honestly torn about what to do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhop73

I just got mine back from my second time SAB repair... I considered selling it off when it got back, but I ended up really missing it while it was gone, so as long as Fuji is willing to fix it, i'll just keep using it. The turnaround for repair was literally one week, shipped there and back.. not a big deal.

bhop73 · 06-11-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by v_roma

That's generally been my thinking as well. However, unless Fuji extended their warranty, I would be getting back a camera with a 3-month repair warranty. Best case scenario they give me a new 1-year warranty. Neither, to be honest, makes me feel all that secure given the history with this camera (my own personal history and what I read from others). Without an official statement or policy on Fuji's part, if the camera fails from the sticky blade outside the warranty period, I may be out of luck. I don't have an endless source of money to keep pouring into this camera no matter how great it is. I don't mean to sound bitter (although I am somewhat), I'm just honestly torn about what to do.

I read on some forum, can't remember where, that fuji told someone that they'll still do the repairs for this after warranty. I might double check on my own, since I doubt i'll pay to have it fixed considering i've seen quotes as much as $700... I can buy a nice user M3 for that.

btgc · 06-11-2012

Making note for myself - looks like a camera to buy new not used...because of warranty.

Paul T. · 06-11-2012

I believe under EU consumer law, if a fault is due to an inherent problem, rather than wear and tear, manufacturers are obliged to make it good for well beyond one year. I suspect the same will apply in practice in the US.

(It's for that reason I managed to get my dodgy MAcBook Air replaced at nearly two years old).

Still good advice to get one new though, as in general rights don't apply to subsequent owners.

steveniphoto · 06-13-2012

i shoot my x100 religiously and luckily have had no issues. i dont have proof of purchase either yikes. hopefully nothing goes wrong *knocks on wood*

luibargi · 06-14-2012

After two months of use and making a battery change, on mine the orange battery latch broke off and was lost in the grass. Looking at the remaining part I was surprised to see how poorly designed and manufactured this part is; the swivelling pin should be at least twice its current section from an engineering point of wiew. Anyway I won't ask for a fix under guarantee, closing the battery cover there is sufficient contact for the camera to work.
btw under EU laws, the guarantee period is two years if you are a private end user.