Potential issue w/X100 startup time?

andrew00

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Ok so I'm just noticing this pretty weird issue w/my new X100 and it's startup, can anyone else investigate to see if this is a problem I've got or what.

When I turn the camera on it seems sluggish and I can hear the aperture blades opening up in stages, prob it takes 2 seconds from turning on to feeling the aperture is open (currently set to f2).

Worse though is that I don't get a OVF display for 11 seconds after turning on. There are very faint lines in the OVF before that but certainly I can't take any pictures or focus etc - basically the entire camera is dead for those 11 seconds and only then does everything come on and I can use the thing.
Bit concerned about it tbh as I'm off on Sat so am running out of time to deal with the problem.
 
Give it a good hard bang on the desk ... perhaps not?

Seriously, I agree ... contact Fuji.
 
Update to this - I took the memory card out to see if it had the same issue and it was quicker to turn on - around 3 seconds. I tried another memory card - 3 seconds. I formatted the first memory card in another camera (GRD3) and then put it back in the X100 - 3 seconds.

So it looks like it was/is a memory card issue. Thing is, both are Transcend 16gb sdhc class 10 cards so not sure what the deal is there, but still.
 
Reformat card if from another camera

Reformat card if from another camera

I had exactly the same problem.
I transferred a 32GB cf card from my Panny GF1 without formatting it first for the Fuji, leaving the Panasonic file structure in place on the card. Putting it in the X100, it was taking up to a minute for the camera to start. i tried another unformatted card, with the same result, then formatted the card in the Fuji, and the startup time came to well within spec.

I suspect the camera was spending ages trying to read a folder/format structure it didn't like, locking itself up in the meantime. Hope this is of some use.

Cheers,

Mark
 
I wouldn't use a card larger then 8gb. I think you're asking for trouble. Cards do go bad. The larger the card, the more of a chance a read/write issue can occur. At least that has been my experience and some friends of mine as well. I would go bloody crazy if a nearly full 16gb card malfunctioned!

To keep your card functioning "clean", make sure you more then just delete files from it. Download the whole card to your computer or device and reformat it in the camera it was being used in after every download. I have had cards functioning properly for more then 5 years + in doing this simple step.
 
I use 8gb Sandisk SDHC Extreme Pro and I get switch on in less than a second. Can it really be the card having this much of an effect?
 
Yeah I formatted it in camera before shooting, but it's weird that it went like that after 50 or so shots taken with it.
 
I use 8gb Sandisk SDHC Extreme Pro and I get switch on in less than a second. Can it really be the card having this much of an effect?

Those are excellent cards. The type of card you use can have a great effect on how your camera functions - startup, read/write, etc.. There is a small bit of firmware that is read by your camera on the card every time you start it up. Use a card with fast data transfer and always reformat after downloading your files. Don't just delete and stick the card back into the camera. It is also a good idea to routinely rotate cards to keep everything fresh and clean. It is better to use multiple smaller gb cards then one large one. If and when there is a failure, days of shooting can be lost!

Cards are easier to carry then film canisters. No reason not to carry 1 or 2 extra when you are out shooting.

:)
 
Worse though is that I don't get a OVF display for 11 seconds after turning on. There are very faint lines in the OVF before that but certainly I can't take any pictures or focus etc - basically the entire camera is dead for those 11 seconds and only then does everything come on and I can use the thing.
Bit concerned about it tbh as I'm off on Sat so am running out of time to deal with the problem.

Was your lens cap on when you switch on the camera? I noticed this phenomena with my lens cap on. They adjust the OVF brightness according to how much light goes into the lens. Once I took it off, it was back to normal brightness.
 
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