I think I KILLED my FinePix A800

[dragonfly_mum]

Okay, I've been thinking about getting a newer more sophisticated camera but after yesterday's mishap I am reconsidering.

I was downloading my photos onto the computer when the kidlets ran by and knocked it off the desk. It rammed (but really not terribly hard) into the leg on the desk and I'd grabbed the USB wire and lowered it to the ground where it spent the night. I went to take a shot this morning and now my pictures have this most horrid purple aura (well, the look purple on the LCD screen before I autofocus...which looks like crap and then the actual picture is greenish with a purple aura). Is there anyway I can save this camera?

There's no way I can justify going out and getting myself a nice new camera if I KILLED my old one!!

[SmartWombat]

Sounds like the knock has damaged the camera.
Can you post an example?
Since the camera has an extending lens, it might be in that mechanism.
Does it make any new noises (clicks, grinding) when you turn it on and the lens comes out?
A mechanical problem is more likely to be fixable than an electronic one.

This is one reason why I don't load pictures from the camera.
I use a cheap card reader and just slip the card in there.
Leaving the camera "safe" upstairs by the bed where the cat treats it as a toy

[dragonfly_mum]

No, it doesn't make any unusual noise when it is turned on. When it is turned on the LCD screen/viewfinder thingy is a eerie shade of pink/purple. When I auto focus it the viewfinder then turns a most lovely shade of greenish.

This is the resulting picture.



Beautiful, is it not?

Yeah, a card reader....that's an idea, eh?

[SmartWombat]

I'm sure that cat could be beautiful, but it's bum leaves a little to be desired

Unfortunately I think the camera is destined for the bin.
I think you have an electronic fault. Even if it's only a connector that's come part unplugged faults like this are usually uneconomic to fix.
Electronic faults are usually straight lines, or shifts in the image.

Also it seems you have a lens issue as well.
You have curved lines in a barrel shape which makes me think something's shifted inside the lens. It may be the purple/green is also related to a lens problem, if it had shifted upwards at the rear (or down at the front). Very likely if the lens was out at the time it hit.

Looks like the clock in your camera is out of whack "Digitization Date/Time = 2007:01:30 21:45:55 though that's probably not related to your other problems.

[dragonfly_mum]

Aw, that's what I figured (that it'd cost too much to repair...considering I was planning on getting a new camera anyways and you can by the thing new for like 120 dollars now).

Yes, she is a beautiful cat (we have several gorgeous kitties). Sorry, you didn't get the best view of her. I was freaking a little, you know, what with the purple screen and all!!

So yeah, I guess I might be in the market for a new camera (though it will now by significantly more difficult to convince my loved one *lol*). I'm thinking the 300-500 dollar price range (I personally don't mind the upper range). I'd love something that I can manually focus that has a relatively high optical zoom. Besides that it doesn't need a million other bells and whistles.

I basically take photos for my own personal use but I am interested in getting more involved in it (hense wanting to upgrade (not trash) from the FinePix A800. I've certainly reached the limit of what I can do with it. Right now, my main subjects are my two children and my cats. We are moving to a most beautiful area so I suspect that nature will soon become another favorite. I refuse, refuse to take posed pictures so I need something that is decent for taking kids on the go.

I'll post another topic for this as well if that is okay so maybe I'll get more responses.

Thanks for your reply though I was hoping you'd say "well, if you knock it three times on the right side then turn it on and then off again it will work fine" *lol*

[SmartWombat]

I was hoping you'd say "well, if you knock it three times on the right side then turn it on and then off again it will work fine"

If you decide to write it off then it's at the point where wiggling the lens as you switch it on and off, and yes perhaps a little percussive maintenance might not make it worse.
Or if you're feeling brave, a set of tiny screwdrivers and some careful investigation.

I managed to fix my old Casio 2800 three times after dropping it before finally one of the switches sheared off the circuit board, taking the copper track with it. Even then a bit of epoxy and some careful soldering and it limped along for another couple of months.

[dragonfly_mum]

Well, I certainly won't be paying to get it fixed and I don't know anyone any better at meddling with things than I am. We (my family) are known to tinker with things before giving up on them so yeah, that's likely where I'll be for the next little while (though the vast majority of the time we tinker then toss!!!)

[SmartWombat]

Good luck with the tinkering !

[dragonfly_mum]

Hey, I tinkered and LOOK!!!

I'm liking the nice soft look of a dirty lens!!

[Cathathome]

Nice tinkering!

If you're still looking for an excuse to upgrade, you can always consider this one a good camera for the young'uns (since it's already been banged up) and get a newer one for yourself...

Ta,

Cath

[SmartWombat]

Well done, did you hit it, or open it up and fiddle ?

[dragonfly_mum]

Opened and tinkered....