CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras

photobum · 17th March 2007

This morning, I contacted Fujifilm Service Centre to give me a price quote for basic CCD cleaning. Their reply was 'about $89 after GST'.

When I asked why so expensive compared to Nikon or Canon, they claimed this is the normal price, and it had been around for a long time. I asked do they have the intention to reduce the price since other competitors are charging lower now. They said it is up to their management to decide.

Folks, I feel that paying $89 for a routine CCD cleaning is way too much. I don't mind to pay a little bit more but not at $89! If only Fujifilm could match the price of other camera makers.

Cheesecake · 17th March 2007

it has been like this for quite a while.

most fujifilm DSLR users are of a niche group and fujifilm can charge any amount they fancy as its their own call.

they do however encourage owners to practise self cleaning of the sensors.

Fuji Olykon · 17th March 2007

Is cleaning FOC during warranty period?

If yes, can go down every fortnight...so can recover my cost $89 X 26 weeks

kajun_liu · 17th March 2007

no... i cleaned my S2 4 years ago(when my S2 still in warranty n i brought my warranty card also)...
they still charged me $80...

Witness · 17th March 2007

if i'm not wrong i remember there being some talk about fuji removing the ccd from the cam body before cleaning it hahahaha....

nikonrus · 17th March 2007

Why can't we try sending the cameras to Nikon for them to clean the ccds? Afterall, the S2,3&5 are basically still Nikon bodies.

titan7x · 17th March 2007

From what I know through conversations with Fuji staffs and staffs from other service centres, they really remove the CCD for cleaning for serious cases. And it may takes many hours or even more than a day for repeating check-dismantle-clean-assemble-check cycles.
Routine cleanings should be done DIY; together with careful handling of lens exchanges and regular blowing.

simon80 · 17th March 2007

thats really expensive

Azure · 17th March 2007

Sensor cleaning for the S2/S3/S5 Pro is best DIY'ed. It is cheaper and often cleaner. Of course, care should be practiced in your use of your camera. I do send in my bodies to Fuij Singapore annually for servicing/cleaning. And I usually clean them again when I get them back, as they sometimes (they have done so!) still leave behind a couple of stubborn specks.

After all, a cleaning kit of swabs and pecpads and the eclipse solution is not all that expensive. Once you factor in the convenience and cleaniness, it is really worth it. I still have 3 extra sticks, if anyone needs urgently. All you need do is buy a pack of pecpads (100pcs) and a bottle of the eclipse solution, and it'll last you for many cleanings.

BTW - that stuff is what Fujifilm uses.

wind30 · 17th March 2007

clean yourself lor.

I learnt CCD cleaning when I had my s3pro. It is REALLY simple and convenient. It is actually more convenient than sending down to service center whether they charge or not.

BTW, I bargained for my first cleaning FOC as I said my camera was like 1 week old after purchase and it is Fuji's responsibility to ensure the customers get a CLEAN camera to begin with.

Cheesecake · 17th March 2007

Originally Posted by nikonrus

Why can't we try sending the cameras to Nikon for them to clean the ccds? Afterall, the S2,3&5 are basically still Nikon bodies.

basically, Nikon Service Center won't touch anything that isn't a Nikon.

Kid Shotter · 17th March 2007

All 4/3 don't have this issue.

photobum · 17th March 2007

Sensor Swab is not cheap. Worst of all, if we scratch the CCD in our camera, we will end up paying more. It is not worth it.

If only Fujifilm could consider lowering their cleaning cost. This is more expensive than hiring a domestic cleaner (Just OTing).

madmacs · 17th March 2007

well..the manual does show you how to clean the sensor yourself. so i guess if you want them to do it for you they will charge you service charge.

sk318c · 17th March 2007

Originally Posted by wind30

clean yourself lor.

I learnt CCD cleaning when I had my s3pro. It is REALLY simple and convenient. It is actually more convenient than sending down to service center whether they charge or not.

BTW, I bargained for my first cleaning FOC as I said my camera was like 1 week old after purchase and it is Fuji's responsibility to ensure the customers get a CLEAN camera to begin with.

All equipments regardless of brands will and must went thru strict checking and packaging before distribute to the dealers. So it also might be due to dealers' fault by opening up boxes to demo/"play" (as what I often see).

Anyway, clean the sensor yourself. More economical and convenient. Also, you will grow to love your camera more, and learn to take care of it more because of the hardwork you put in to maintain the camera yourself.

wind30 · 17th March 2007

Originally Posted by sk318c

All equipments regardless of brands will and must went thru strict checking and packaging before distribute to the dealers. So it also might be due to dealers' fault by opening up boxes to demo/"play" (as what I often see).

ya but after I send it for cleaning, fujifilm tested my sensor on their own (to check cleaning) and found some pixel issue and replaced the whole sensor for me.... in my 1 week old s3pro.

Whether that is a good thing or not...

kajun_liu · 18th March 2007

forgot to add...
fuji need 1 week for cleaning my S2 CCD...:?

Incastasman · 19th March 2007

Ya..its very EX for jus a CCD cleaning..service is slow too.. hope Fuji Singapore can do sometin abt it..

sk318c · 21st March 2007

Originally Posted by kajun_liu

forgot to add...
fuji need 1 week for cleaning my S2 CCD...:?

I think there are only 2 technicians in Fuji, need to be fair to all customers, they must service camera on a first-come-first-serve basis. Told normally takes around 5 - 7 working days.
Don't cut queue. Last time when I went there, saw a ya-ya-papaya guy demanding his camera to be serviced ahead of all other customers.

yowch · 22nd March 2007

Sensor cleaning is quite routine for DSLR users. I cean my own sensor. With Pec-pads and Eclipse. Pay about $40 for a set, and 3 years down, I am still doing it.

Similarly, you get a car, your car gets dusty, don't you clean it yourself? Even the engine lub can be changed by the user himself, quite costly to just bring it to service centre to change lub.

17th March 2007	#1
photobum Deregistered Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,080	CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras This morning, I contacted Fujifilm Service Centre to give me a price quote for basic CCD cleaning. Their reply was 'about $89 after GST'. When I asked why so expensive compared to Nikon or Canon, they claimed this is the normal price, and it had been around for a long time. I asked do they have the intention to reduce the price since other competitors are charging lower now. They said it is up to their management to decide. Folks, I feel that paying $89 for a routine CCD cleaning is way too much. I don't mind to pay a little bit more but not at $89! If only Fujifilm could match the price of other camera makers. Last edited by photobum; 17th March 2007 at 01:04 AM.

17th March 2007	#2
Cheesecake Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: I live in a haunted house!!!!! Posts: 12,853	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras it has been like this for quite a while. most fujifilm DSLR users are of a niche group and fujifilm can charge any amount they fancy as its their own call. they do however encourage owners to practise self cleaning of the sensors. __________________ You'll Never Walk Alone! 初恋的感觉杀很大!

17th March 2007	#3
Fuji Olykon Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: East, Macpherson Posts: 343	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras Is cleaning FOC during warranty period? If yes, can go down every fortnight...so can recover my cost $89 X 26 weeks

17th March 2007	#4
kajun_liu Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tanjungpinang, Bintan island Posts: 345	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras no... i cleaned my S2 4 years ago(when my S2 still in warranty n i brought my warranty card also)... they still charged me $80...

17th March 2007	#5
Witness Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,876	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras if i'm not wrong i remember there being some talk about fuji removing the ccd from the cam body before cleaning it hahahaha.... __________________ w maverick.photography

17th March 2007	#6
nikonrus Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 321	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras Why can't we try sending the cameras to Nikon for them to clean the ccds? Afterall, the S2,3&5 are basically still Nikon bodies.

17th March 2007	#7
titan7x Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 130	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras From what I know through conversations with Fuji staffs and staffs from other service centres, they really remove the CCD for cleaning for serious cases. And it may takes many hours or even more than a day for repeating check-dismantle-clean-assemble-check cycles. Routine cleanings should be done DIY; together with careful handling of lens exchanges and regular blowing. Last edited by titan7x; 17th March 2007 at 02:06 AM.

17th March 2007	#8
simon80 Deregistered Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,501	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras thats really expensive

17th March 2007	#9
Azure Deregistered Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: ClubSNAP community Posts: 2,783	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras Sensor cleaning for the S2/S3/S5 Pro is best DIY'ed. It is cheaper and often cleaner. Of course, care should be practiced in your use of your camera. I do send in my bodies to Fuij Singapore annually for servicing/cleaning. And I usually clean them again when I get them back, as they sometimes (they have done so!) still leave behind a couple of stubborn specks. After all, a cleaning kit of swabs and pecpads and the eclipse solution is not all that expensive. Once you factor in the convenience and cleaniness, it is really worth it. I still have 3 extra sticks, if anyone needs urgently. All you need do is buy a pack of pecpads (100pcs) and a bottle of the eclipse solution, and it'll last you for many cleanings. BTW - that stuff is what Fujifilm uses.

17th March 2007	#10
wind30 Deregistered Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,929	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras clean yourself lor. I learnt CCD cleaning when I had my s3pro. It is REALLY simple and convenient. It is actually more convenient than sending down to service center whether they charge or not. BTW, I bargained for my first cleaning FOC as I said my camera was like 1 week old after purchase and it is Fuji's responsibility to ensure the customers get a CLEAN camera to begin with. Last edited by wind30; 17th March 2007 at 07:12 AM.

17th March 2007	#12
Kid Shotter Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 250	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras All 4/3 don't have this issue.

17th March 2007	#14
madmacs Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 5,442	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras well..the manual does show you how to clean the sensor yourself. so i guess if you want them to do it for you they will charge you service charge. __________________ My Photos On Multiply

18th March 2007	#17
kajun_liu Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tanjungpinang, Bintan island Posts: 345	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras forgot to add... fuji need 1 week for cleaning my S2 CCD...:?

19th March 2007	#18
Incastasman Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: central Posts: 1,299	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras Ya..its very EX for jus a CCD cleaning..service is slow too.. hope Fuji Singapore can do sometin abt it..

22nd March 2007	#20
yowch Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Singapore, Redhill Posts: 1,063	Re: CCD cleaning at Fujifilm for the S2, S3 and S5 Pro series cameras Sensor cleaning is quite routine for DSLR users. I cean my own sensor. With Pec-pads and Eclipse. Pay about $40 for a set, and 3 years down, I am still doing it. Similarly, you get a car, your car gets dusty, don't you clean it yourself? Even the engine lub can be changed by the user himself, quite costly to just bring it to service centre to change lub.