I've owned my Fuji 3800 Since Dec of 2002 and love it. I took pictures for our local fire department to the camera was used a lot and not always in the best conditions...like the rain or extreme heat situations. Took a lot of waterball pics so it got wet but I never had any trouble with it. Upgraded to a Fuji S9000 earlier this year for longer zoom and higher pixels but still use the 3800. I would only ever do business with Fuji.

When I got this camera in late 2002 it was the only 3 + megapixel cameras with 6x optical. Daylight pictures were great and color resolution were spot on. No cameras in this price range including canon and nikon could touch this camera! It still takes great pictures after 3 years. The eye piece came in handy for very bright scenes and saves battery life in general and much more accurate than other view finders on other cameras. The bad is that it only has 1 film speed iso 100 and shutter lag was intolerable approx .3 to .5 seconds. That is really slow. Night long shots are only great if you rest the camera on something and use the timer, but it will give you a great night shoot! :-) Other than that this camera takes very crisp shots.

I left the camera sitting around for about a year since I had bought a couple of new ones and was having the same problem as everyone else when I pulled it out of mothballs. I was going to take it to a repair center and left fully charged batteries in over night and when I tried it the next day (late in the day) it was working fine. Maybe letting it charge for awhile does help.

I was very pleased with the combination of features, size and price when I first purchase the Fuji 3800. The first pictures printed printed only confirmed my initial impression that I had made great decision. However the camera was in light use for less than 2 years before it began having intermittent lines across the screen when taking a picture, and soon the screen went completely black. I see that Fuji is repairing other lines because of defective Sony CCD's but not the 3800. Well I won't buy another Fuji. Too many other good cameras out there now...

Camera lasted only 2 years and I'm getting the distorted screen problem. Called up for repair and its going to cost me 150.!! What!!.. Bad CCD..I'm very disappointed in this camera.. Not worth the money. I think Fuji SHOULD stinking recall this camera..

I purchased the Fujifilm 3800 because a buddy had the 2800, and he just loved it. I used it for 2 years, but then the same trouble snubbed me as many others. I originally thought the re-chargable batteries I purchased for my camera where dying out, so I bought some traditionally batteries. Sure enough, the same problem...my camera powers on, I assume does the power on self test, then powers itself off. I am frustrated with the price I paid back in 2001, and that Wolf and Ritz Camera want an arm and a leg to fix it. Fujifilm won't get my business again, and I plan to "round-robin"the problem so that my family and friends don't either.

when I 1st bought this 3800 I was excited.. about 3 mths ago it just all bad... I can only turn it on when I have the lens facing down. When I try to lift it up to take a pic ...it shuts off ?! I can take pix facing down but how many shots can I take of pp;s feet ?

I'd like to send it in to get it repaired but @ what cost... Guess Im movin on to Olympus or Canon

I'm trying to salvage my dead camera, which died the same death as everyone else's who's reported this here. I'm trying to follow G.M.'s advice, but I'm having trouble locating a DC conversion device that will give me 5V and 4 W, which is what this requires. Radio Shack didn't have it. Once I find this and plug it in for a couple of days, as G.M. recommends, will I still have to do this forever? Also, I did take apart the back, the way G.M. recommended, and saw the internal battery, which had a smattering of brown flakes around it. But I can't figure out how to remove it, as it's clipped in tight and the clips look like they're soldered on from the underside of the circuit board. I hope G.M. comes back to this review posting and tells us how his experiment turned out. He seems to be the only one who has concrete advice on how to salvage what, in effect, is a piece of garbage at this point. I'm also going to write to Fuji and bitterly complain. Maybe I might get a $100 credit on a new Fuji, although I'm extremely leery of buying anything from Fuji again.

After 3 yrs and no problems, I'm in the same situation as most others writing reviews. The LCD screen and electronic view finder have white line through them and the camera pictures look the same. Very very disappointed after reading all the reviews and seeing lack of support from Fuji. Always thought they were a good reputable company...doesn't seem that way. Don't they realize they need to step up to the plate and remedy this? I purchased mine through Bestbuy along with a 4 yr protection plan. Bestbuy says the camera is serviceable....well we'll see what kind of luck they have. Good luck to others with this camera. Remember...ask yourself, would I be a repeat customer???

I agree with the comments from the majority of reviewers on the S3800 Fuji Finepix camera. While a good camera for those starting into digital picture taking, its reputation has been ruined by a poor design decision to incorporate the memory back-up battery into the 'innards' of the camera, rather than making it accessable from the outside. This decision has meant that the camera becomes virtually useless over a 2 to 4 year period, depending on use. Perversely, those that used their cameras frequently were rewarded with extended life out of the camera, as the internal back-up battery was being frequently recharged - hence the glowing reports by those that were taking hundreds if not thousands of pictures from their sturdy little cameras. However, if the user was, like me, using the camera infrequently then the internal battery would eventually discharge beyond the ability of the camera's internal circuitry to recharge the battery during the small periods it was actually turned on. Hence the battery fails after 15 months to a couple of years or so depending on the frequency of UNUSE! Paradoxical, I know, but that's the way of it. To think the designers at Fuji, and other manufacturers of early digital cameras didn't spot this one beggars belief, but I 'spose you can't win 'em all the first time around. What concerns me is that they don't seem to have provided as yet in their new designs is a little screw release button cell like one had on the bottom of the old film cameras like the Pentax or Canons. Its got to happen as, from what I see here, the complaint level is rising rapidly.

One way that you may be able to restore this battery, and this is just a guess for me, is to get a mains adapter DC plug in for the camera, so that it can be fed from the mains and not the internal main AA cells - in fact take the cells out before continuing. Then turn the camera on to camera, not playback, mode and just leave it there for a couple of days. Hopefully this will recharge the internal memory back-up button cell enough so that it starts supporting memory again.

The other way, which is what I have adopted, is to remove the screws which hold on the back of the camera and then gently remove the screws holding on the top two circuit boards. Don't actually remove the boards as they are still connected by thin film connecting strips, but now they are loose enough to allow the third board to be revealed. On the bottom left hand side of the board one will see a small button cell with tabs attached. This is the memory back-up button cell. Using my trusty old 25W soldering iron with a 3.2mm tip (any tip between 2mm and 5mm width ought to do)I removed this battery.
It measured about 1.12V on removal. But I am pretty sure it is a 3V lithium cell. It showed the brown corrosion deposits on its outside indicative of a totally discharged and damaged cell. In short anything that knackered probably started out at 3V full charge - and that means lithium for a single button cell.

Where to get a new one? I read that these can be obtained directly from Fuji as a spare part. Although I am seriously thinking of putting in a tabbed CR2016 lithium cell. Its twice the diameter and holds about five times the charge of the little 10mm diameter cell taken out. In short, if I can fit the CR2016, and there seems room enough to do this, then I'll never have to worry about a dud memory back-up again.

This is a project in mid-swing as it were and I'll write and let you know how it turns out.
G.M.

I bought the camera about 2.5-3 years ago for about $300. It was really nice initially but after about an year it had problems with its batteries. The camera would sudddenly shut off (specially the flash mode) leaving an impression that the batteries are weak. I then bought rechargable batteries but only after few shots, the camera would shut off. Now the flash mode doesn't work at all for some reason and also the screws came off from the lens extender and it got seperated from the camera. So now I can only operate in to see the pictures in my camera and cannot shot any ! It has disappointed me in the last few tours we had. Really bad product from Fuji.

Just past the warranty (1 year and one month), slight usage overall, CCD was dead, at first white lines cross the picture, then black without any picture. I paid $399 from DELL and took about 100 pics. So every pic costs about $4. I will NEVER buy FUJI product any more. Sometime before, total 6-7 Japan digital camera maker recalled some products due to the defective CCD made by SONY. I think this model EXACTLY should be recalled too. But FUJI did not list this one. Too disappointed!

I too invested almost $700 in this camera and accessories. Right away it started eating batteries. As this was my first digital camera I thought this was normal. Then I discovered the "real" problem. The terminals in the battery compartment were getting very corroded. I tried cleaning them both with chemicals and an eraser, a time tested computer repair trick. They continued to deteriorate. I also suffered from the random shutdown problem. The write speed to the xD cards is so slow that any action shots are totally useless. I took it to an airshow only once. I'm back to using my old 35mm camera. It works every time, I know what it will do each time I get it out and repairs are reasonable. I'm retired and on a fixed income. Would I buy another Fuji, hell no!!! Obviously they don't need my money and with the attitude they seem to exude they are not going to get it ever again.

Good points: Fine sharp clear images when camera is working.
Bad points:
Camera randomly doesn't function at all- no image in view finder.
Memory back-up battery ran out in less than 2 years.
Flash never has functioned reliably.

Now I have the same problem(s) as others — the black screen, an intermittent blinking green light and an intermittent "noise". I was so excited when I first purchased this camera along with extra memory cards and camera case thinking that I had years of great picture taking ahead of me. It was easy to use, etc., etc. and now I'm very, very disappointed.

After enjoying my camera..Suddenly the pics were all runny..Sent it for repairs with teh form off fujifilm..The camera was gone for 3 months..also sent numerous emails asking about it..no replies..then one day my camera suddenly shows up in the mail..no repairs and no reasons why..I have since bought a canon..so far it is great..

After 2 years I have the same problems as the others. Nothing but lines. I am out $400 and no camera

I have taken over 16,000 pictures with my Fuji S3800 and it is still working fine. For what it is I feel it was great value for the money. Sorry to hear that others had such problems with theirs. On my recommendation a friend also bought one and has had good luck with his as well. Hope it lasts another 16,000 pictures!!!

The problem with it's predecessor the S3800 has not been remedied. A screw around the lens extender ring backs out, falls into the camera, and comes in contact with the circuit board, thus shorting out some system in the camera. In my case this flaw caused my flash to become inoperative. I finally removed the screw as it surfaced in the memory card slot. The camera is just slightly out of warranty. Just can't can't wait to here what the repair cost will be. I will probable not buy another Fuji, as the flaws in this second generation camera had not been fixed.

Hi,
I'm facing exactly the same problem as described above.
After 2 years, the camera (which was good) is dead.
Right, lets go for a Canon or a Nikon...

I paid $400.00 dollars for this camera after reading good reviews and recommendations from PCMagazine. 18 months after I purchased the camera it failed due to poor manufacturing. Screws inside the camera that had held the lens ring in place became loose and short circuited the camera. I searched the internet and found that this was not uncommon for this to happen !

I got the same problem of the fuji 3800 black screen. I took care the camera very well. And not use it much ( 2 birth days about 120 pictures). If you think about buying this fuji... I rather say "DO NOT EVER THINK ABOUT IT"

I,m not ever going to buy anything with Fuji on it. Not only did I buy the fuji 3800 but the carring case and wide angle and telephoto adapter lenses. A total cost of about $750.00. Consummer reports rated it as a best buy and it took very good pictures but they didn't have a clue at the beginning as to the short period of time this camera would work. Shame on Fuji for not standing behind their products. I'm certainly going to tell everyone I can about this ripoff. Fuji should respond to these problems over the internet with a recall program for all the numerous victums.

Camera lasted only 2 years and I'm getting the black screen problem. I'm very disappointed in this camera if it doesn't last longer than 2 years. Not worth the money.

I have had it for 4 years and it still works well. It's very comfortable. I have taken it every where and no matter what I take a picture of it comes out good.

I barely used the camera and its been broken for 2 years after my warrenty expired I got lines across the screen. I can not find anyone close by to fix it. I lost 400. Gateway sold the camera to me. I am done with Fuji and Gateway.

I have owned my 3800 for just over a year..Seemed great took great pics and was easy to handle..but was going to take some pics and see that there is a problem..after reading other reviews and taking the camera to a camera shop feel it is a ccd failure..was going to send it to vancouver for repairs but what it will cost could be the price of a new digital camera...yikes.Over all I am pleased with the camera..no other problems

My first Fuji 3800 was defective & returned
immediately. My second Fuji 3800 was good for 30 months, now I get rapid lines across the the viewing surface and no pictures. I will not send it to Fuji for repair, too costly. Does this problem sound familiar to you guys?

very dissapointed in this camera as i am an average user and after just one short year (maybe 5x use) i am also getting the black screen issue. terrible camera, also more difficult to navigate and adjust. loved the big optical zoom....but if the screen is black that doesn't really matter now does it?? :(

I have had this camera for several years and taken hundreds of pictures. Overall I have been extremely pleased. For a lower end digital it has taken some amazing pictures. For an amateur it is relatively easy to use. I mostly use the auto mode and do any clean ups on my computer. This mode seems to do great in most any situation without me having to spend any time deciding what settings would be best. Who has time for that? The only draw back I would note is the battery life. I have learned to remove the batteries between uses or they will be dead every time. I have recommended this camera to 2 family members, both of which have been very happy with their Fujis. I am now looking to upgrade and will definitely purchase another Fuji.

The first year the camera was great for the money—easy to use, decent quality for family shots—then problems began. The camera started shuting off at will which was very irritating. Now I'm afraid it's about to bite the dust completely. The LCD is black when I turn it on until I hold it up to a bright light. Lines flicker accross the screen and then the picture appears. It'll work fine until the next use. While waiting for a response from Fuji and reading the newest reviews I'm afraid this good little camera just wasn't meant to last. I'm very dissapointed in Fuji and won't buy another.

I read many reviews on this camera before I bought it. I knew its positives (6X optical zoom, excellent picture quality) and negatives (poor low light performance), and my experience proved out those characteristics. Overall I thought it was a great camera, although the poor low light performance bothered me more than I thought it would.
I took the camera out recently and noticed intermittent horizontal lines visible on the screen and through the view finder. It looks like interference on a TV. When I got home and downloaded the images, the lines were visible, making most of them unacceptable. After checking with a repair shop, they seemed to know the problem immediately, and I quote: "Usually, on that model, when you get the funny lines on the screen and/or in pictures, it's the main PCB in the camera that is faulty. Unfortunately, Fuji's parts costs are out of this world." They recommended that I contact Fuji to see if they will give me a flat-rate repair quote. This story is not over, because I have not yet contacted Fuji, but based on this failure alone, I will not again purchase nor will I recommend Fuji digital cameras.
Unlike one who might view a camera as a tool, I view it as a relatively valuable personal asset that I expect to last.

At first I was so pleased with my Fuji 3800, but after 16 months, it no longer works. I turn it on, and sometimes I can get a picture or two shot before it turns off, and sometimes it turns off immediately. The camera was taking wonderful pictures and then - boom - it has this automatic shut down problem. Research on the internet indicates that this problem is happening to others too. It appears the camera is only good for about a year. WHAT A RIP!!!!!

I paid $400.00 dollars for this camera after reading good reviews and recommendations from PCMagazine. 18 months after I purchased the camera it failed due to poor manufacturing. Screws inside the camera that had held the lens ring in place became loose and short circuited the camera. I searched the internet and found that this was not uncommon for this to happen ! I sent the camera to Fuji for repair along with a letter to customer service stating what had happened and that my repair experience with this camera would dictate whether or not I would be purchasing any more Fuji products. I sent two letters one to the repair facility and one to Customer service. I received no correspondence from Fuji . I received only a computer generated repair tag estimate for the repairs at $118.00. Needless to say I will not be purchasing anymore Fuji Products.

Buyer beware of Fuji.

I am active certainly don't baby my cameras. I view them as tools. If the it's in the manual not to do it to your camera I've probably done it. After three years and 40,000 pictures it finally wore out. I usually go through a medium range digital in about 2 years. So I'm buying another one!