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Non Tool Forum => The Shutter Shop => Topic started by: Syncop8r on February 17, 2019, 10:38:08 AM

Title: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: Syncop8r on February 17, 2019, 10:38:08 AM
I dug out my cheap little point-and-shoot Fujifilm Finepix AX560 to see if I could find out what is wrong with it as it stopped working for me a year or so ago. With fully charged batteries in it, the low battery warning flashes and the camera turns off.
A search on the internet has turned up ideas such as adjusting the battery contacts, but today I noticed that when I turn it on with the play button (which only looks through the photos and menu/settings and doesn't activate the lens) the battery shows (correctly) as fully charged.

Any ideas what the problem could be?  :dunno:
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: jaya_man on February 17, 2019, 10:48:52 AM
Extreme weather such as cold weather maybe the cause... happened to my dslr once during our trip to Japan during winter
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: dks on February 17, 2019, 10:50:10 AM
Try with regular AA alkalines - sometimes cameras are sensitive to voltage. I have a Canon that does that.
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: Syncop8r on February 17, 2019, 10:59:02 AM
Some people say to use Lithium batteries.
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: Mechanickal on February 17, 2019, 11:31:24 AM
The activation of the lens uses extra battery power (more amps).

The voltage of the batteries might still be ok, while the max output of amps dropped down completely  (read: batteries are worn).

Try some brand new ones that have a high amp rating.
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: Syncop8r on February 17, 2019, 11:48:31 AM
That sounds like a good explanation.  :tu:
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: Mechanickal on February 17, 2019, 01:00:08 PM
:hatsoff:

Our alarm panel batteries do the same thing.
After a few years of use, the max amp output is too low and the battery gives a fault error on the alarm panel. When taken out, the voltage measures ok, sometimes leading to discussions with clients who don't get the difference between Volts and Amps.

Alot of devices calculate the battery status by a voltage measurement instead of an amp measurement.
Which works perfectly, unless the battery is worn.
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: Syncop8r on February 18, 2019, 07:18:43 AM
I bought some Lithium batteries today...

The good news: The camera works now!  :nanadance:
The bad news: They are really expensive.  :td:
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: hiraethus on February 18, 2019, 09:01:53 AM
Cheaper than a new camera.  :tu:
Title: Re: Camera malfunctioning - any ideas?
Post by: Syncop8r on February 18, 2019, 09:22:25 AM
But almost as much as rechargeables.  :cry: