Fuji FinePix s304 - Zoom error problem

WARNING! Do not attempt to disassemble a digital camera unless you are competant with intricate devices and electronics! This work should be done by a qualified service engineer. I accept no responsibility for damage or harm resulting from the use of the information on this page. Note: If you don't allow plenty of time for discharge you may get a shock from the flash circuit even when the batteries are removed! Do not take apart any device which is under warranty as you may void the warranty terms.

Zoom Error!

We bought a Fuji FinePix s304 (Similar to the current FinePix s3000) in Nov 2002, and it failed in Aug 2005 with a message of "Zoom Error" whenever we tried to take a picture. The zoom mechanism seemed to be jammed. I searched the web but could find nothing conclusive to fix this fault, so I decided to disassemble it with a set of jewlers screwdrivers and see what was going wrong.


The Fuji FinePix s304

First try

My first impressions upon opening the s304 where that it was well built, but really complicated! You have to remove 2 or 3 layers of circuit board just to get to the zoom mechanism.


Inside the camera


The zoom and CCD assembly removed from the camera

The first time I took apart the camera I left the gear box assembled because of the fear of not being able to find where all the gears went when putting it back together. When I re-assembled the camera, the zoom moved a little bit, but then jammed fast in the extended position!


The zoom gear box removed

Second attempt

A few days later I had time to take the whole thing apart again. This time I even disassembled the gear box. I took close-up photos of the gearbox so I could remember how it all sat together. And I placed the gears on the bench in the order they came out.


The gear box disassembled.


Under a bright light I could see some particles of grit on one of the tiny plastic gears which seemed to be preventing the gearbox from turning smoothly.
I carefully scraped the grit off with a really tiny screw driver and re-assembled the camera. This time, success!! The zoom error problem had gone away and I was taking crisp, clear photos again.

The mechanism seems a little bit noiser than when it was new, so I'm not sure how long it will continue to work for, but for now, so far so good! I'm guessing we'll probably get another year or so out of it.

Update, 29 March 2007: The camera is still working perfectly a year and a half after my repair. I'm glad I didn't just throw it out!

Anthony