F30 cracked lcd, worth getting fixed?

[barryodriscoll]

Hey lads, I've been a proud owner of an f30 for just over a year now. Used this site to pick it out and its been an amazing performer. Easy to bring around and great for catching moments in low light. It was so good I even bought one for my mother! But sadly my girlfriend just called me last night to say the screen cracked in her bag when she was out. Now I'm trying to debate whether I'll attempt to get it repaired or if I'll just take it on the chin and try a new model.

Has anyone got experience with fuji film repairs in Ireland/Europe, how much does it cost will they get it done in a week or two? I didn't buy a warranty with the camera and its over a year so I don't expect Fuji to cover it.

As much as I loved the F30 if I were to buy again I think I'd like to try a new camera out. The negative review of the F50 has put me off and I really like the look of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ3, but I'm not sure if it can match the F30's low light performance. Are there any other cameras out there that do match it and will fit in your pocket?

Well thanks for reading, I'm off to ring Fuji Film repairs. I think I'll take out an extended warranty next time I buy

[Bynx]

A) How much did the camera cost?
B) How long have you had it?
D) How much will it cost to get it fixed?

A-B= C) Devalued camera value.
A+D=E) Fixed camera final cost.

Is it worth it now?

[tim11]

Panasonic and low light shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence to form desirable result. It might do if you only do small prints and web posting.

How much will it cost for replacement? You should find out from Fuji. As you have already suspected, it will be hard to find a replacement for it.

As for F50fd, even DCRP review is not yet out, there are enough shots from here and there to expect what's to come. I love Fuji F-series camera a lot since the F10 introduction and then couldn'd resist buying the F30, however this F50fd will get my thumb down. That 12MP kills the superCCD.

[The Mangler]

A) How much did the camera cost?
B) How long have you had it?
D) How much will it cost to get it fixed?

A-B= C) Devalued camera value.
A+D=E) Fixed camera final cost.

Is it worth it now?
What do you use for "B"? (Months, years, a percentage?)

[Bynx]

B is just to help you arrive at a guesstimate on how much the camera has devalued in the time you have owned it. Having the camera over a year it isnt worth what you paid for it. The bigger the number (time) the lower the value.

[The Mangler]

B is just to help you arrive at a guesstimate on how much the camera has devalued in the time you have owned it. Having the camera over a year it isnt worth what you paid for it. The bigger the number (time) the lower the value.
I got that, what I meant was how do you assign a number to the length of time?

What number would you subtract from the original cost after, say, one year to get the depreciated value? Surely you wouldn't subtract 1, or even 12 - the number would have to be much higher than just the number of years or months since you bought it. (10% per year, or something along those lines maybe.)

[SpecialK]

B is just to help you arrive at a guesstimate on how much the camera has devalued in the time you have owned it. Having the camera over a year it isnt worth what you paid for it. The bigger the number (time) the lower the value.


However, if it takes excellent pictures or has special desirable features, then even old cameras may be worth repairing even if actual resale value is minimal. If the cost of repair is more than 1/2 of new cost, I'd replace it.

Even with an extended warranty, make sure a cracked LCD is covered, as they are not, normally - especially for cameras you squish into a pocket.

[The Mangler]

I have two cameras with broken LCDs. One (a Canon A520) has a cracked LCD - I think I'm going to just replace the whole camera, although I'll still keep it around. It still works fine, you just can't use the LCD - any changes (in the menu) have to be made with it hooked up to a TV.

The other (a Canon 350D), the LCD just stopped working one day. I'm not really sure what's wrong with it. It comes on, turns black, then turns white and stays that way. This one will get sent in to the Canon service center after the holidays.

[Spinning]

I went through this same issue last year. I had the fuji s5100. The battery door broke. I did the duct tape but it didn't always make a good connection and the pictures weren't turning out. I loved the camera.....thought long and hard about fixing it.
But then I did the same thought pattern as Bynx typed....and decided it wasn't worth being fixed.
I don't know how much you paid for your camera or how much it is going for but to me...if it is under $350 to buy a new one...then buy I would buy a new one. I went with the s6000 don't regret it one minute. Every year cameras improve.

[P_Schneider]

I would get the estimate, see how much that is and then see if you can pick one up for around the same price, or the F31 which I consider in the same class.

The one thing that is intangible but still comes into play is the fact that you have the "cream of the crop" so to speak in the F series. How much does that weigh into the decision? Quite a bit in my book but that's just me.

Oh BTW if you do get another F30 or get this one repaired, I would recommend a silicon case for it if your GF is going to have it in her purse; it comes with a shatterproof LCD guard. Just google "silicon case F30". My wife has one and it works great.

Good luck

[Dave Dilks]

For a rough estimate of what a repaired F30 would be worth, used F30s in mint condition look to be selling for about $225 on eBay.

[jkloni]

F30s are selling for $280 - $300 on ebay right now and an f31fd is $499.95 if you can find it:eek:.

I think we are going to go with an f40fd to replace our f30 that was damaged a couple of weeks ago.

Another post on the Fuji board helped us decide that because we take lots of low light pics. It is 'the best of the bunch for low light compacts' says David Metsky. The f40 gets 300 pics per battery while our f30 got almost 600! We LOVED that f30!! :(

[tim11]

---- It is 'the best of the bunch for low light compacts' says David Metsky. ----

To that I wholeheartedly agree. But since I own one people will think I'm biased. In fact, I bought a Fuji F because it's proven to be the best and not the other way around. The F40fd is F31fd stripped off most manual controls and since F31fd is discontinued, F40fd takes the crown for lowlight.

If the LCD cracks, I think I will have mine fixed.

[stever06]

My father was charged around $90 USD plus s&h to replace his F20 LCD in 10/06. If it is still in good condition, it'd be worth it. IMO

[jkloni]

We bought a F40fd for Christmas. Within 2 days the screen is cracked. I didn't know what it was at first. It looked like a spider web. It was not dropped or stuffed in a purse. There's not a scratch on the camera.

We bought it from Beach Camera thru Amazon. I read the return section and it doesn't look like it can be returned for a replacement. I'm so disappointed. Now we have a broken camera that still takes pictures, you just can't see them very well on screen.

I may just look for another F30 like I should have done in the beginning.:(

Any suggestions?

[AndyfromVA]

We bought a F40fd for Christmas. Within 2 days the screen is cracked. I didn't know what it was at first. It looked like a spider web. It was not dropped or stuffed in a purse. There's not a scratch on the camera.

We bought it from Beach Camera thru Amazon. I read the return section and it doesn't look like it can be returned for a replacement. I'm so disappointed. Now we have a broken camera that still takes pictures, you just can't see them very well on screen.

I may just look for another F30 like I should have done in the beginning.:(

Any suggestions?

The F40fd comes with a manufacturers warranty. Fuji should fix it with little or no charge.