General
May 16, 2012

Taking Apart the Fuji X100

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3871/fuji_x100_take_apart.jpg

Goodbye old young friend.

Let me give you all a piece of wisdom that I recently learned the hard way.  If you go on a fishing trip called 'Hit em' Hard' and the captain tells you that you should take your bag off and put it in the 'dry container', what he really means by 'dry container' is a place that will fill up with seawater after he accidently clogs the drainage pipe, soaking you and your friends cameras, bags, wallets and cellphones for over an hour in salty seawater.

Better yet, just never go on a fishing charter with a name like 'Hit em' Hard.'

Needless to say, the next step of taking the camera apart was obvious.  If you own this camera you know how much it hurt to do.  It is a beautiful piece of machinery that I loved dearly.  For everyone that talks about the quirks of this camera, they are right, it does have quirks, but it also had insane image quality, all the way up to ISO 3200, it was extremely portable and it was silent.  It is the perfect compliment for when you want a light, invisible camera.  I loved this camera.  I have portfolio pieces shot at ISO 3200, printed large, and they look stunning.

But if you think the X100 is beautiful on the outside, it is breathtaking on the inside.

I have never taken a digital camera apart, and I was never one of those kids who took apart things for fun (although I now know what I was missing), so this was an eye-opening experience.  Everything was packed together intricately.  No millimeter was left unused.  The precision was incredible.  You don't create a camera of this image quality at this size by leaving space unused.

The camera is a giant puzzle of miniscule parts.  There were hundreds of hidden, miniature screws, rods, tape and dabs of glue holding it together.  It was difficult to take apart to the point where it turned into a game.  I'd stare at the thing for 10 minutes until I found that one screw hidden behind something that held everything together.  It would be absolutely impossible for me to put this thing back together. 

So without further ado, the Fuji X100 taken apart in all of its glory.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3817/fuji_x100_take_apart-2.jpg

Screws were hidden everywhere.  In total I counted about 130 tiny screws and I probably missed a few.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3821/fuji_x100_take_apart-3.jpg

You can see the salt damage that covered every inch of this camera.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3825/fuji_x100_take_apart-7.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3827/fuji_x100_take_apart-4.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3829/fuji_x100_take_apart-6.jpg http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3831/fuji_x100_take_apart-5.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3833/fuji_x100_take_apart-8.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3835/fuji_x100_take_apart-9.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3837/fuji_x100_take_apart-10.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3839/fuji_x100_take_apart-11.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3841/fuji_x100_take_apart-12.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3843/fuji_x100_take_apart-13.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3845/fuji_x100_take_apart-14.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3847/fuji_x100_take_apart-15.jpg

Notice the salt crystals forming on the inside of the lens.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3849/fuji_x100_take_apart-16.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3851/fuji_x100_take_apart-17.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3853/fuji_x100_take_apart-18.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3855/fuji_x100_take_apart-19.jpg

The lens and the viewfinder.  My two favorite parts of this camera.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3857/fuji_x100_take_apart-20.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3859/fuji_x100_take_apart-21.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3861/fuji_x100_take_apart-26.jpg

The lens taken apart.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3863/fuji_x100_take_apart-22.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3865/fuji_x100_take_apart-23.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3867/fuji_x100_take_apart-24.jpghttp://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3869/fuji_x100_take_apart-25.jpg

The viewfinder taken apart.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3873/fuji_x100_take_apart-28.jpg

Over 130 screws.

http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3809/fuji_x100_take_apart-27.jpg

Taken apart (for the most part.)  Click to view a larger version of the last photo.

130 screws.  50 pieces of tape.  152 parts (from just what I actually took apart.)

Next step - to create some sort of abstract camera-mutant sculpture out of the parts.

 


*If you like the photos in this post please help me spread the word by sharing. Thanks.



79 Comments for "Taking Apart the Fuji X100"
Steve says:
May 16, 2012 11:10
James, you are a better man than I. I may have tried to throw the captain overboard and would have needed to be heavily sedated to keep from totally falling apart. Your equanimity is quite impressive, must be part of what it takes to be a great street photographer!! Is the gear insured? Nice pictures, btw.
James Maher says:
May 16, 2012 11:16
Yeah I was pissed. It was insured but with the yearly deductible I got less than half back. As long as I have the SLR though I'm fine.
Kevin says:
May 16, 2012 11:59
James I really feel for you man. I have an X100 too and I would have been crushed. I really appreciate you sharing this with us and it makes me appreciate my camera even more. Like Steve said, I think I would have tempted to throw the captain overbaord too. Maybe put that half payment towrds a new one or even the limited all black version? Again sorry for the pain of it all, you have my sympathy.
Lucy says:
May 16, 2012 12:31
Oh no, that's awful! I stupidly misinterpreted your reply to Steve, forgetting that in the US pissed means annoyed. I had visions of you being very drunk on your trip! :0/
James Maher says:
May 16, 2012 12:48
Thanks Kevin. Appreciate it. Eventually, I'll get a replacement although I'm going to save some money and wait awhile to see what happens next, I think.
James Maher says:
May 16, 2012 12:49
That's so funny Lucy. Not pissed but definitely had a few beers :)
Lucy says:
May 16, 2012 13:08
Ha ha I'm glad I didn't offend with my Englishness!
CHRISTIANOBOOS says:
May 16, 2012 16:02
que hiciste¡¡¡ o.O siempre me decia mi madre despues de dejar los juguetes asi xD
Steve says:
May 16, 2012 17:31
I would think that Hit'em Hard charters should have business insurance that would cover your and your friend's losses. Any pics from Key West?
James Maher says:
May 16, 2012 21:17
I wish Steve. It was the risk I took when I took it onboard. Despite the captain's screw-up, he's not responsible for that.
Ratty says:
May 17, 2012 03:12
I would have sent it back to Fuji and requested warranty work.
Tim says:
May 17, 2012 06:58
Horrifying and fascinating in equal measure!
James Maher says:
May 17, 2012 08:08
Ratty there was no hope - every crevice of the camera was covered with dirt and salty seawater. If they were able to fix it I'm sure I would have paid a fortune for a camera that probably would still not be back to new.
Paul says:
May 17, 2012 08:23
Drown it immediately in an alcohol solution. Worked for me once with a cell phone and seawater.
Gunnar Kelly says:
May 17, 2012 12:01
1) Looking forward to the Fuji X-100, putting it back together. 2) How much for the lens cap? Sorry for your woes. Keep calm, carry on.
PWL says:
May 17, 2012 12:23
I hope you asked Mr. "Hit 'Em Hard" Macho Man to reimburse you for messing up your camera.
Mark Garbowski says:
May 17, 2012 12:30
What a horrible accident and story but wonderful project.
Steve says:
May 17, 2012 14:41
17 comments and counting! James, I think you're on to something- a compelling story line attached to explanatory pics make for a winning combination!
James Maher says:
May 17, 2012 16:33
I tried for 5 minutes Gunnar. Not gonna work. Do you really want the lens cap?
James Maher says:
May 17, 2012 16:33
Thanks Mark, tried to make the best of the situation. Steve I should just start taking apart all of my electronics. I'm sure if I purchased a Leica M9 and took it apart that would make the internet go crazy.
Ratty says:
May 17, 2012 17:08
Yes I know. Just kidding.
Andoman says:
May 17, 2012 19:38
Man that really sucks about that camera. The breakdown was quite interesting though, I've never seen the inside of one of these things. You should maybe put this post up on a few camera forums.
Andy8400 says:
May 17, 2012 21:53
I usually stay out of other people's threads but I was really fascinated by your photos and wanted to say so. Adds new meaning to the sticky aperture blade problem... Your chip and battery should be good after cleaning perhaps. Go treat yourself to an X-Pro1. You deserve it.
Mark J P says:
May 18, 2012 04:06
Ouch, that's got to hurt. What an absolute nightmare. :( It does make for a really interesting blog post though, so I guess every cloud has a silver lining etc. ;)
Tim says:
May 18, 2012 06:37
You just created your own version of the tv show "How It's Made". I always tear old. broken things apart just to see how they work. It's AMAZING how they build things.
Photozopia says:
May 18, 2012 08:31
What gets me is that everything is so tiny, neat and miniature ... apart from the whacking big bedspring in the middle of the lens assembly!!!!!
James Maher says:
May 18, 2012 09:35
Yeah seeing all of the interest in this has definitely been a silver lining. Photozopia that huge bedspring scared the crap out of me when it popped out. So funny.
John says:
May 18, 2012 10:48
The stuff of nightmares. I would be very sad if something like that happened to mine. I will be interested to know what you get as a replacement.
Muratti says:
May 18, 2012 12:13
hi, 7D must be your next camera, check it here on youtube with digitalrev tv http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCT-YMgjm9k
artem says:
May 18, 2012 17:41
i would try washing it with distilled water (plenty of it, 5-6 gallons) blow dry w/o heat... get a new battery and an the memory card,,, LCD and CMOS are airtight to keep dust away, so the are most likely alive (if the unit was not under a great deal of pressure)... switches most likely got some salt inside too, so either get new ones or open them and wash.... i would've tried to put it back just for fun...
James Maher says:
May 18, 2012 18:49
I tried putting parts of it back together for 5 minutes and then gave up. I might have tried more but the salt made some of the screws stick and I had to dig a couple out and ruin them.
Victor says:
May 18, 2012 21:50
I love my Fuji x100. Looking at one damaged by sea water and being taken apart brings pain to my heart.
r00fus says:
May 18, 2012 22:29
I wonder how much it would help, in future situations, if you put relatively small tech items like cameras and phones into doubled up ziplock freezer baggies...
James says:
May 18, 2012 23:40
I am the only one, or do other people find it funny that right in the middle of the high tech optics and electronics, there is a great big old fashioned spring?
James says:
May 18, 2012 23:40
I am the only one, or do other people find it funny that right in the middle of the high tech optics and electronics, there is a great big old fashioned spring?
Spring says:
May 19, 2012 01:15
James, who are you calling old?
Naina says:
May 19, 2012 04:56
So sorry to hear about your loss James. I have an x100 - I bought one for my Dad too - and I don't even know what I would do if something like this happened to me. I have a ocean visit coming up in November and I will carry ziplock bags. In any case, it rains a lot during the monsoons here in India and I always have some for of plastic bag on me. Very interesting to the see the innards of the camera from your viewpoint - must have been insane each second of the dismantling. I know how delicate some of the things are - especially tiny screws, which are hard to get. I'm tying this comment and smiling at my X100 sitting next to my keyboard on my table. I hope you get a new one :) Maybe Fuji will give one to you. Who knows :) Thanks for sharing James. #respect
Naina says:
May 19, 2012 04:59
...some *form of... I'm *typing this...
zygfryd says:
May 19, 2012 07:43
if it was Leica for 10. $ for sure it would be worth to call them for service ;-)
Steve says:
May 19, 2012 08:32
James, which lenses and settings did you use for these photos?
Roël says:
May 19, 2012 08:50
WOW. Reading your post (with photos) kinda ripped my heart out of my chest as I love my little X100. It was fascinating though to find out how much hardware goes into this little camera. Thanks for sharing this, it was an eye opening experience.
akula says:
May 19, 2012 11:51
@r00fus: Or, dry bags are pretty cheap. I'm kinda anal about electronics & water. They don't go on a boat w/out being in my own dry bag.
-S says:
May 19, 2012 15:05
I gave a hug to my X100 after seeing that. Nice work.
Dave Tong from iPhot says:
May 20, 2012 02:11
Ouch James, real ouch... shared this story on my site already... ouch.. :( Dave iphotocourse.com
Tweakmax says:
May 20, 2012 02:19
Condolences. My fujifilm s2 pro fell into the sea nine years ago. Had the same feeling as u but did not have the courage to dismantle it
Ranford Stealth says:
May 20, 2012 07:01
I say we grab the torches and pitchforks and pay this captain a visit...who's with me??
Steve C says:
May 20, 2012 12:51
Has anyone pointed out yet that you now have a Fuji Ex-100? ... Sorry. Thanks for sharing the upside of this misadventure. Fascinating photos.
-Adnan says:
May 20, 2012 14:30
Can you check (and report) if there is any model number on the sensor? The sensor was supposed to be Sony's 12 MP .. it might be small text somewhere
Steve says:
May 20, 2012 15:36
"Next step - to create some sort of abstract camera-mutant sculpture out of the parts." James, how about photoshoping some small people climbing around the stacked parts? ;-)
Paul says:
May 21, 2012 04:21
I can only imagine how gutted you must have felt. As an owner myself it would have broken my heart to have had that happen to my beloved X100!!. Thanks for this though - makes me in even more awe of this fantastic camera. Is the skipper ok?... :)
MiTaka says:
May 21, 2012 07:54
I feel sorry for the accident, but this is a good excuse to buy the x pro-1, or the next x camera. The Sony sensor is evident on this picture http://www.jamesmaherphotography.com/images/0000/3843/fuji_x100_take_apart-13.jpg IMX038, so at least You confirmed this from first hand.
James Maher says:
May 21, 2012 16:22
Steve I don't remember exactly, but a wide-angle zoom and a macro. I just used a gary fong lightsphere on my 580ex flash and bounced like light all over my white walls and ceiling. Super simple/quick.
James Maher says:
May 21, 2012 16:26
Ranford It was hard not to flip out. I managed to keep my cool though, somehow. Would love the X-Pro1, but I may get another X100. I got enough insurance to cover some of the costs at least and the size/silence/image quality of it was really what made it so value to me.
James Maher says:
May 21, 2012 16:27
Adnan, on the back of the sensor it says IMX038C00 and 0022487. That's all the text on it though.
Marcus says:
May 21, 2012 22:17
Two words. Pelican. Case. I accidentally lost a Pelican over the side of a dive boat in Thailand and it had $30,000 worth of gear in. Floated along behind - we circled around, grabbed it with a boat hook and hauled it back in. Now I even tie the cases to a boat fitting using paracord and carabiners!! Good job taking it apart though. I see a sculpture coming on...
Milton Figueredo says:
May 21, 2012 22:26
Buen Tiempo Buena Mar
Joe Wong says:
May 24, 2012 02:26
James Maher, i'm interest your parts and full package, can i get it? thanks!
Miguel Martinez says:
June 03, 2012 12:50
El desguace de esta cámara, me trajo a la mente que una de las primeras cosas que hice en mi vida con un destornillador en la mano, fué desbaratar una KODAK BROWNIE HAWKEYE, propiedad de mi padre. A los 5 ó 6 años de edad me parecían sumamente curiosos esos lentes que tenía la cámara. Por supuesto nunca fué capaz de volverla a armar. Fue mi principio como ingeniero y causa que ahora quiera arreglarlo todo!.
Drew says:
June 04, 2012 02:24
James - /terrifically/ sorry for your loss. The only suggestion I have is perhaps you could encase the entire assembly in Lucite/Perspex as the mother of all x100 exploded diagrams?
cletux says:
June 19, 2012 18:28
camera is a work machine, buy one more and no cry
Fiona says:
June 23, 2012 02:34
James thanks for sharing your heartbreaking story and allowing us to see how intricate our x100's are. I got stopped on the street when I was taking a photo by an ex-100 user. His was stolen, I could see the devastation/jealousy in his face. Feeling for you mate!
Jojo says:
July 03, 2012 11:02
Since I got some beer spilled over my X100 just yesterday, I was wondering on whether you could assess how easy it would be for fluids to enter through the shutter, exposure and power dials. The camera seems to working fine, just the power knob sometimes feels a little stiff.
Magali says:
July 08, 2012 15:55
I just ordered an X100 for myself & some googling brought me here. I'm very sorry for what happened to your camera, I would have been devastated!
Frankie says:
July 09, 2012 23:13
hi James. I own a x100 and love it with all my heart. I would cry my eyes out if this happened to me. My heart hurts looking at this post. All the best. Great blog.
Howard Freeborn says:
July 11, 2012 07:44
As a graphic designer I would consider, if I was you, doing a piece of art work... obtain a nice sized piece of wood, say pine or a maple laminated board and have it within a portrait format, add sides and then carefully layout the parts out in a creative manner (do not clean them, the salt is part of this) and then carefully glue them to the board (including all the tiny screws, even the damaged ones, use a needle and super glue for those) and then add a glass covering. Mount it on a wall with a discrete title, say 'A salty tale', sign it as the artist, photograph it and then put it up for auction on ebay with the cautionary tale attached. Send a photograph of it and a link to Fuji-film customer services (a nice letter...) hinting that it may look nice in the Companies headquarters foyer and then sit back and see what develops (excuse retro pun...)... you never know... I once did a sculpture of a deconstructed and mounted mis shaped burn out expensive toaster and got more for it on ebay than what it cost!
James Maher says:
July 11, 2012 22:36
Howard that's a very interesting idea. At some point I may do something like that. Although if you can get more than it costs on ebay then I'll let you do it and we can split the costs ;)
Steve says:
July 16, 2012 18:46
Thanks for posting all those pics James! Question- how hard is it to just get the back panel off? I have an x100 with lint trapped under the LCD glass. Doesn't see like it should be too difficult to pop off the back and blow away the lint. But not worth the risk unless I know it's safe and relatively easy. Cheers, Steve
James Maher says:
July 16, 2012 20:15
Don't do it Steve. It's not worth it.
Steve says:
July 18, 2012 13:57
LOL, that was easy! Thanks for the response, I will just forget about the lint. ;-)
sreejit sreedharan says:
July 23, 2012 02:13
It was painful looking at the images. You have a strong heart and good insurance :)
josh says:
August 28, 2012 19:08
Hey James, sorry about your camera. I don't want to sound callous, but my x100 needs some parts, is there any chance you'd sell any of your spare parts?
GregVDS says:
September 03, 2012 04:32
Hi, I'm sorry for your loss! Very informative pictures also. Can I ask you if it's possible to have a picture of the inside of OVF front window? I'm interested to know if it could be possible to somehow open, clean the dust, seal that front glass, and put back everything together. All the best and thanks again
Bob says:
November 24, 2012 23:14
Thank you very much for sharing your experience! (Are the front and back plates plastic or metal?)
Alan Morris says:
December 09, 2012 01:19
Less dramatic, but last summer while in Alaska P splashed a little coffee on the X100. I sent it to Fuji who said it was toast. Very little sealing and the viewfinder ceased to function. They offered to replace it for $800 but I passed.
David says:
March 02, 2013 18:39
Whoah....surely not. That's so painful to look at. To really make people shudder, dissect a X100S....so many people waiting on that one :)
gavin says:
April 23, 2013 21:15
Hello, Seems like you have a good knowledge of the inner workings and build of the x100. was wondering if you could tell me just how easy it is to take off the on/off switch? I am having some trouble with mine and want to try and tighten it a bit. Or maybe it's just better to have it serviced somewhere?
Deniz Boz says:
April 30, 2013 02:12
Hello. My X100's On/Off switch and shutter release button started being stucked, I always need to press it hard. Do you know why that may happen? What can I do?
Leigh Franks says:
April 30, 2013 15:52
That hurt looking at all those dismembered X-100 bits. As I scrolled through the pages I had to squint and wince but still I makes me feel a little.... nauseous. Thanks for sharing.
James Maher says:
May 01, 2013 10:01
Don't try to take the camera apart for anything. You will ruin it. I'd either send it in for repair, or if it's only a minor inconvenience then just live with it.