Fuji X-T3 malfunction: I took delivery yesterday of an X-T3 and promptly took it to an exhibition of the Dale Chihuly blown glass work at the Biltmore in Asheville. It was awe...

binsjohn

I took delivery yesterday of an X-T3 and promptly took it to an exhibition of the Dale Chihuly blown glass work at the Biltmore in Asheville. It was awe inspiring and I took a couple of hundred beautiful shots with a 35mm f/1.4 on it. The day, however, was not without incident. Twice in the course of shooting the camera froze up. It showed the live view image coming through the lens, but wouldn't actuate the shutter and none of the buttons or controls were operative. In fact, I couldn't even shut the camera off. With the power switch set to OFF the screen still showed whatever the lens was pointed at. The only way I could reset and start shooting again was to remove and reinstall the battery. After the battery reinstall everything functioned as it should again, though it severely degraded my confidence in the camera.

I'm going to call the Fuji tech people today, but I'm hoping to get some feedback from some Hogs before calling. Thanks in advance for any help you might have for me.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Calling Fuji is a smart move. Even being able to turn the camera off and on again shouldn't be necessary. Removing the battery is a definite annoyance. Two failures out of one hundred shots is a 2% failure rate - not acceptable on a new, high class camera. Let us know how this turns out.

sergiohm

Install the latest firmware
http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/x/xt3/index.html

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

sergiohm wrote:

Install the latest firmware
http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/x/xt3/index.html

Yep, when you get a new camera you should always check to see if there are any updates for it, 1st thing.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

binsjohn wrote:

I took delivery yesterday of an X-T3 and promptly ... (show quote)

There was a "lock up" issue with some of the earliest T3's. These two videos might highlight your own issue ......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfW8Tl0h108

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYxRMgLspec

If this is your issue, then there has been a rapid Fuji "fix", and, as mentioned by another contributor, you need to update the firmware to body version 1.01.

You can do that here ...... http://www.fujifilm.com/support/digital_cameras/software/firmware/x/xt3/index.html#

binsjohn

Well, I watched the videos you suggested, then checked the firmware version (1.00) and downloaded and installed v1.01. Now I have to go out and take enough photos to gain confidence in the fix. Of course, I'll posted my findings once I come to a conclusion. Meanwhile, thanks for the help.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I don’t know where you bought the camera,but I know for B+H ifyou call within 30 day they will give you a return authorization then you can get another camera.
Fuji service is excellent. My eyepiece came off my XE-2 I brought it in to Fuji they repaired it and cleaned the camera no charge.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

I don’t know where you bought the camera,but I know for B+H ifyou call within 30 day they will give you a return authorization then you can get another camera.
Fuji service is excellent. My eyepiece came off my XE-2 I brought it in to Fuji they repaired it and cleaned the camera no charge.

magpix Loc: St. Michaels, MD

Relax. The firmware upgrade solves the problem. I’ve already shot thousands of images with my XT-3 without a problem.

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

magpix wrote:

Relax. The firmware upgrade solves the problem. I’ve already shot thousands of images with my XT-3 without a problem.

That's the thing about Fuji that I most appreciate - they continue to supply firmware upgrades. some of them quite significant. The company listens to its users.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

jerryc41 wrote:

Calling Fuji is a smart move. Even being able to turn the camera off and on again shouldn't be necessary. Removing the battery is a definite annoyance. Two failures out of one hundred shots is a 2% failure rate - not acceptable on a new, high class camera. Let us know how this turns out.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

binsjohn wrote:

I took delivery yesterday of an X-T3 and promptly ... (show quote)

First, check for firmware update and install.
Second, make sure you have the fastest SD card in the capacity of your choice, such as the Sandisk Extreme Pro - Flash memory Card - 64 GB - SDXC UHS-II.

Earlier editions of the XT2 experienced the freeze up as described when in "CH" (continuous shutter X3). The buffer was backing up and the camera heated up and required the cold boot you described. Very few examples experienced this I am told, however, my copy did. The change of firmware and SD card remedied the issue. Hope this helps...

Cheers!

binsjohn

Quick update. I last reported updating the firmware to v1.01. I haven't shot much with it since the update, but last night while watching the Yankees get trounced by the Red Sox I was doing some work on the menus and it locked up without even taking a shot. Hm.

Then today I called Fuji's tech support on Long Island and the only relativity they had to offer was that they had not as yet heard back from anyone who called with lock up issues and who they (the Fuji tech guys) had recommended using fast SD cards. They had suggested a minimum speed of 120-150MB/S. Unfortunately, they didn't specify whether that applied to the read or write speed. Not much help. They did say that the big guys at Fuji's headquarters were inquiring as to how many calls the tech guys have fielded on the subject. My guess is it's a widespread problem and we'll see another firmware update sometime soon. Just sayin'. ;-)

magpix Loc: St. Michaels, MD

Sorry to hear that you still have a problem. I just shot another few hundred images with it, and I haven't had a problem. If you're in the vicinity of NYC, you may want to have the Fuji techs at PhotoPlus Expo (10/25-27) check it out. I had them check my XT-2 last year, and they found a problem I didn't even know existed. They took in for service and shipped it back in a week....like new. BTW, the XT-2 also had a problem locking up when shooting CH, and it was supposedly caused by using slow cards. Not true....eventually they released a firmware update that solved it. Anyway, good luck and let us all know how things turn out.