Life expectancy of a digital camera

It seems reasonable to expect a digital camera to last more than two years. So, even if it is outside of warranty, you can reasonably demand that the manufacturer contributes toward the cost of that repair.

I know this is a stupid question, and I shouldn't really be asking it, but if you use rechargable batterys, have you tried either a new set, or useing the standard alkaline ones, as my fuji602 flatly refuses to operate if the batterys are anything below parr. Apart from that,I can't beleive that the life expectancy of digial cameras could only be a couple of years. I would certainly get in touch with Fuji.
PHONE No 01234 218388 ,as there apears to be several offices/workshops if this is not the correct No for tec. support they will give you the correct one
alternately their digital only support e-mail address is:- fujitec@fuji.co.uk
Give them a blast and see what they have to say.I would also be very intrested in what they have to say/outcome, as my S602 is wel over two years old and I would be a bit annoyed if it was comming to the end of it's life, My prefered camera,a Pentax MX [ got rid of the Nikon fm2's both,film wind on lever/ on switch kept poking me in the eye bl--dy awful design] must be 30 years old at least ,and is still as good as new.
oldie

Modern stuff is built to break as soon as possible - simple fact of life.

That said, my 2000 vintage Olympus digicam still works well enough. I don't think digital cameras and portable audio devices are very well made at all these days unfortunately...

I dropped my Nikon Coolpix 3100 just a year after I bought it. It became immediately that the case is just thin plastic. My old Olympus OM2 hoverer has been kicked across a floor, dropped many times, and also fell onto the road when driving off not realising I had left it on the boot (in its case). A few dents, but never missed a beat. For convienience though, there is no going back now.

I dread to think what would happen to my aforementioned Olympus if it got dropped (it's only a 1.3mp, but it was a "prosumer" jobbie

I just wish that that "vapourware" digital camera back for the Nikon F301 had come out - I need to get back into using that camera

What!!!!! Digital camera back!!
What a wicked idea! Is this for real?

Oldie,

its not the batteries that are the problem It the display. When using the viewfinder nothing is clear and the photo taken is equally distorted.

Before anyone asks it hasn't been dropped. The camera works perfectly in video mode though.

Regards


NB

Rasher,

quote:

What!!!!! Digital camera back!!
What a wicked idea! Is this for real?

Yup, these widgets have been available for years.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_camera_back

Although backs have been made for specific 35mm camera models, most digital backs available today are designed for medium format kit.

Très expensive, these backs.

NB -- It's probably not worth repairing your Fuji unless it's pro-level kit, and maybe not even then. Digital photography advances the way computer tech does -- no matter how good the kit, in a few years it's not worth much. A Nikon D1 in 1999, for example, was more than $5k. Today, a used D1 is worth less than $500.

Joe

That's a shame Nigel. My Fuji 4700 is four years old and still working well.

As others have commented though; it's probably beyond economic repair.

If my Fuji crapped out, I'd buy a Sony DSC-W1. Click on the camera and you can get a 360 degree view of it.

Cracking compact camera with a huge preview screen for about £250.

John.

John,

thanks for that.

We are very dissapointed in the Fuji as we don't use it that often.

The Sony looks very good and we shall certainly check it out,

Regards

NIgel

It can't hurt to send it back for a quote. Is it one of the more expensive ones?

It cost about £300 two years ago, repairing starts at £100 but for £200 we can have an equivilant new camera.

Regards

NB

Well it's not for me to say, but in your position I'd bung it. EOS 350D is hitting the streets about now - might turn the 300D into a right bargain - FWIW.

Cheers

Harry

Yes, Pc world have knocked £200 of the 300D!

It could hit £450 or under. I'm going to have a poke qround in bath next week - Hell could do with a new camera.

Good luck with it.

Harry