FinePix 3800 lens distortion -- or not?

[AndyA]

I'm having a problem with lens distortion in my FinePix 3800. The problem is visible in the picture on-line here (http://www.aaronoff.com/fuji/exampled.jpg). Notice the curvature in the right door jamb and the door. Neither are, in fact, curved.

I sent the camera back to Fuji in New Jersey for repair... twice. Each time I included a similar picture that, I thought, clearly illustrated the problem. Each time Fuji checked out the camera and sent it right back without any service to the lens, maintaining that there was nothing wrong with it.

I've since been on the phone with Fuji Tech Reps, who've told me that they've found that all Fuji cameras in the 3800 price range perform similarly.

I'd like to confirm with other users of low-to-mid-range Fuji digital cameras. If you take a picture of a doorway when right in front of it or just to the side of it without zoom, are the sides of the doorway and the door straight? If yes, can you point me to an on-line example so I can use it with Fuji to bolster my case? If not, how do you manage to take a picture that reproduces the straight lines that your eye sees?

Also, what is this kind of distortion called?

regards, Andy

[John_Reed]

I'm having a problem with lens distortion in my FinePix 3800. The problem is visible in the picture on-line here (http://www.aaronoff.com/fuji/exampled.jpg). Notice the curvature in the right door jamb and the door. Neither are, in fact, curved.

I sent the camera back to Fuji in New Jersey for repair... twice. Each time I included a similar picture that, I thought, clearly illustrated the problem. Each time Fuji checked out the camera and sent it right back without any service to the lens, maintaining that there was nothing wrong with it.

I've since been on the phone with Fuji Tech Reps, who've told me that they've found that all Fuji cameras in the 3800 price range perform similarly.

I'd like to confirm with other users of low-to-mid-range Fuji digital cameras. If you take a picture of a doorway when right in front of it or just to the side of it without zoom, are the sides of the doorway and the door straight? If yes, can you point me to an on-line example so I can use it with Fuji to bolster my case? If not, how do you manage to take a picture that reproduces the straight lines that your eye sees?

Also, what is this kind of distortion called?

regards, AndyIt's called "Barrel Distortion" Andy, and it's unavoidable with any camera at the extreme wideangle end. The only way to avoid it is to distance yourself further from your subject and shoot with some zoom cranked in. Look at any review on this forum of any camera, you'll find the same thing, to varying degrees. It is NOT a camera defect, though.

[AndyA]

It's called "Barrel Distortion"... and it's unavoidable with any camera at the extreme wideangle end.Thanks, John, for enlightening me. I'd never heard of barrel distortion. I'm sorta relieved (and sorry) to hear that it's normal.

regards, Andy