I've been having this weird thing happen lately. When it's fairly sunny, and I have it on "auto" the picture comes out really light. If I put it on "sports" setting it's OK. But I've taken loads of pictures in the past, on sunny days, on "auto" setting and it's been fine. It's like the shutter is just a little slower than it should be.
I don't have a battery charger at the moment so I've been using regular batteries instead of the rechargables. Could that be the problem?? I've put in an example messed up picture. This was taking before 8AM today, so it wasn't all that bright outside. The second picture was taken with "sports" setting.     | phbaker wrote on Aug 23, '05, edited on Aug 23, '05  I've been using regular batteries instead of the rechargables  I have the same camera. It seems to work OK in sun or shade & all I use is the normal auto setting. I don't think it could be the battery, though. --- but, who knows? You can pick up four nimh batteries (that's the kind you should use) and a charger on sale for under $20. But if it's the batteries, I don't see why it would work right on the sports setting. |
| Does the camera indicate what mode it chose when you left it on auto? That information might be contained in the EXIF data in the JPG image file (have a look at whatever you use to manage your photos on your computer to see if there's a way to display EXIF data).
I'm not sure what the problem might be, but that could be a clue if it's selecting "low-light" mode or something. Just a thought. |
| jody wrote on Aug 23, '05 Well, I did a web search, and found out that it's a common problem with Fujifilm 550's. Not just the over-exposure problem, but the weird lines in the picture. And it is something that seems to happen after a few months of use. So I'm taking it up with customer support. |
| jody wrote on Aug 23, '05 Does the camera indicate what mode it chose when you left it on auto? That information might be contained in the EXIF data in the JPG image file (have a look at whatever you use to manage your photos on your computer to see if there's a way to display EXIF data).
I'm not sure what the problem might be, but that could be a clue if it's selecting "low-light" mode or something. Just a thought. I'm not sure how to look at EXIF data. I just use the Windows picture viewer or whatever it's called. |
| jody wrote on Aug 23, '05 I have the same camera. It seems to work OK in sun or shade & all I use is the normal auto setting. I don't think it could be the battery, though. --- but, who knows? You can pick up four nimh batteries (that's the kind you should use) and a charger on sale for under $20. But if it's the batteries, I don't see why it would work right on the sports setting. Well, my thought was that if the batteries weren't really up to snuff, the shutter might be going just a little slower than it should. Thus, normal light would be acting like "low light" and "sports" would act like normal light.
Yes, I know I can pick up a battery charger. We just haven't gotten around to it yet since arriving from England. We already have the rechargable batteries, just not the charger yet. After we get that, we can eliminate that as a possible reason.
Personally, from the searches I've done, I think there's something wrong with the camera. |
| baker wrote on Aug 23, '05 not camera related, but how cute are Kyla and Charlie going off to school?? |
| jody wrote on Aug 23, '05 not camera related, but how cute are Kyla and Charlie going off to school?? Aren't they? I'm glad I noticed that the first one didn't come out, so I knew to take a second one with the sports setting. |
| jody wrote on Aug 24, '05 Is the difference ALL the camera or did they change shirts between photos?? Huh? I can't tell if you're joking or serious. |
| jody wrote on Aug 24, '05 No, it's the same shirt. That's the point. The over-exposure on the auto setting washed everything out. |
| Well, I sent the camera back to Fujifilm (once I found the box that had the receipt in it.) I got a postcard with status on it and their diagnosis made me laugh. They said, "Weird horizontal lines and overexposure." Their words, not mine. Supposedly I'm going to get it back early this week. I hope it is fixed. I've really missed having my digital camera! |
 | my fuji e550 had, until recently, given outstanding results. the problem initially showed as overexposure but examination of shots revealed a heavy horizontal line streaking .have your similar problems been resolved. pls. advise . norm |
| jody wrote on Nov 26, '05 my fuji e550 had, until recently, given outstanding results. the problem initially showed as overexposure but examination of shots revealed a heavy horizontal line streaking .have your similar problems been resolved. pls. advise . norm I sent my camera back to the facility at Edison, NJ, and they fixed it and sent it back to me. It worked fine for me for a few weeks, and then the exact same problem reappeared. I called them and they said that they would send me a fedex sticker to send it back again. I haven't sent it in yet but I'm pretty unhappy with it.
It seems that this is a common problem with this camera. I'm just curious: do you remember when you bought it?
|
| jody wrote on Nov 26, '05 10th.february 2005 That's really interesting, because that's around the time I bought mine too. Also I was on a digital camera forum and a lot of people were having the same problem, and the ones who said when they got the camera said it was around the same time. I think that they are lemons! If I were you I'd call Fujifilm support at 1-800-659-3854 and tell them the problem and that you want the camera REPLACED, not fixed. Don't let them say that they don't know about the problem, because they do. If you do a web search for fujifilm e550 horizontal lines you will see a number of people having the problem. |
| recent return of e550 , repaired ; appears as originally which was & is great .for what it's worth the repair documentation indicates replacement of part :- F05203-100 LENS CONST E550 BF05203-103
I thank you for your initial disclosure of a problem that appeared to echo my own and hope you will receive a similar resolution .
norm.mccormick , brisbane
queensland ,
australia |
 | I am in desperate need of a receipt for a e550, my wife and I recently moved and cannot find it. We have had the camera about 9 months, as I bought it as an anniversary present for my wife. I sent it in and the guy said that it would cost about 200 dollars to have it fixed. Anyone that can help I would be greatly appreciative. My email is OUFan78@aol.com. |
 | Wow, I was searching to see if anyone could explain the problems my Fulfilm, e550 camera was having...and found a wealth of info from this blog. First off, I too bought my camera in Feb. 2005. I noticed the "brightness" for lack of a better term prior to the correct word..."overexposure" on photos taken in the "Auto" setting. I tried to adjust by changing the setting and ensuring the flash was not causing the brightness and found these were not issues. And just a month ago, due to paranoia and seeking a quick fix, I bought a new xD memory card in hopes of alleviating the problem ( I figured I needed a 512mb since the 256 was probably worn out from the vacation photos taken). (My camera is seldom used, has never been dropped nor left in fridged or overly heated conditions and I too use the rechargeable batteries).
I am very disappointed in the Fujifilm e550 digital camera and could not believe it took this long for me to realize it was indeed a manufacturing defect. I too researched this camera to be certain to choose the best one for me! I will take the great advice contained herein and seek a replacement as well as supply Fuji with the Part # that was used to address another's problem. Thanks for this blog...it really has been helpful to me. Jody...kudos to you! Your site was the first one I found when surfing to get answers. Enjoy your summer everyone...Jody, did you ever get your camera back in fixed or replaced condition? I have not had or noticed the shutter issue that other users mentioned elsewhere but has anyone else? Thanks, Mary marycross01@comcast.net |
| jody wrote on Jun 25, '06 Mary, The second time I had the problem I sent the camera back and they sent me a replacement one. Same model, but so far this one hasn't had the problem. (Although to be fair it's not my primary camera anymore so I use it less.) It is a KNOWN problem; however Fujifilm probably will still not acknowledge this. There is a camera forum here: http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/ where the problem is discussed. Just search for the camera model and you should find it. Many people have had the problem, but it doesn't occur with every E550. So if you can get Fujifilm to replace it you might not have the problem. The people who have the problem all seem to have bought the camera around the same time (Jan-Mar, 2005.) Good luck! -Jody |
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