20 Most Recent FUJIFILM FinePix JX250 Digital Camera Questions & Answers

Hello, Bjcefre - You need your camera settings to include a date stamp. Best wishes.

Do that in the setup menu.

When the computer says this, it usually means something has occurred to corrupt the card, OR if you are using an adapter (such as one of the ones that holds a micro-SD to make it the size of an SD card) is broken. If you're using such an adapter, get another to try, or try it in another computer. If not, try another computer. Also, if your camera can still read the card, but not the computer, try hooking up the computer cable from the camera directly to the computer and transfer the photos that way. Once you've transferred the photos off, have the computer go ahead and format the card (or use the camera to format it) and then see if it can read it. Some cameras are fine with computer-formatted cards (check your manual) and others, such as the higher-end Nikons, are not, and require camera-formatted cards. If the card continues to give you problems though, I would replace it. It's difficult to damage flash memory, but not impossible, and cards on sale are cheap. Check salescircular.com for local sales.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo management program such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

You should contact Fujifilm. They are your best bet for locating a replacement part. The Digital Camera Parts and Accessories phone number is 1-866-289-3854.

I just answered almost the same question. Just look for answers I already gave.

When your camera shuts off by itself, it has detected an error inside. Could be hardware failure, but also a software problem. So no use of switching it on again. Please when it shuts down again, wait till no memory access light is burning or flashing. Then remove the battery. The best thing before reinserting the battery is to charge it first. But if you are sure the battery is fully charged, wait a few moment before you reinsert the battery. Then when you have put in the battery switch on the camera. When you remove the battery for a few moments, the camera will have a "cold" start. So the program that makes your camera work, start from scratch. As long as the battery is in the camera, the program in the memory does not change. That is why you should the battery. If your camera has a hardware failure it won't be solved when you remove and reinsert the battery. If the switching on and of occurs while zooming, it could be the lens mechanism has a problem with the gear or motor. If this happens, you should visit a service centre, or buy a new camera. Then it could be the battery is charged, but not powerful enough to do all tasks. If the camera detects the voltage is under a certain level, the camera also shuts down. If every time the flash has to charge, or the zoom or AF motor needs to work, the camera shuts down, it could be the battery is on its end of life. But for that you should look on the display. Most cameras do have a battery level indicator.

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

Format the memory card. Press the MENU/OK button. Press cursor-left, then use cursor-up/down to select the wrench icon. Press cursor-right, use cursor-up/down to select "FORMAT" and press MENU/OK.

Remove the battery from the camera, put it into the supplied charger, and plug the charger into a power outlet. Full details are on page 5 of the manual.