TheSkySearchers

I got a good deal on an old Fuji X-A2 (ebay). The seller warned me that it had been "exposed to water" and the sensor had "problems" but still worked.

I managed to convert from normal to modded. I did some AP with it. the water damaged showed up because some pixels were creating an off-center smudge. I could work around it in processing. But it was far from ideal. So I decided to use this camera for an experiment -- convert it from color to B&W.

Total failure. The glass epoxied over the sensor was harder to remove than anticipated. Commercially, they remove it with some nasty chemicals. I was not interested in exposing myself to any HF acid... so I tried to cut the glass (first pix) and then break it.




So I broke the glass -- and it did not break according to plan... To put it mildly. NOT a clean break. Anyway, after I broke the glass cover and turned on the camera: this is what I saw on the LCD screen and this is a picture of a soapstone table ornament (with a carved giraffe showing):





I knew I was in trouble. The camera would power on, but the sensor was already damaged. That was BEFORE attempting to remove the CFA on the sensor.

Having already bungled the project (probably inevitable given the procedure I was using), I proceeded to try and scrap off some of the CFA. That just made matters worse.





The following is a picture of a set of camera lenses (only one appears on the right of the image because the left side of the sensor is damaged beyond repair).




BABO

BABOafrica wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:37 pm I was not interested in exposing myself to any HF acid...

Very wise. Some of our engineering labs use HF. When I was working in that department, it creeped me out to even walk by those labs, especially after a postdoc accidentally got some on him.

Wow that was major failed surgery indeed. Did you do it without taking the camera apart and the sensor out?

Is the X-a2 sensor the same as the X-a1? I just noticed that the X-a2 has a gphoto driver while my X-a1 does not. Just in case I ever want to modify one more, that way I can control it with Ekos.

"It's dead, Jim!"

You are braver than I am, Babo. At least you have a source of spare parts.

Wow !
I feel your pain here...I have had similar "educational" experiences. Always learning something.
Thank you Joe for sharing your experience.

SkyHiker wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 3:32 pm
Did you do it without taking the camera apart and the sensor out?

Is the X-a2 sensor the same as the X-a1?

Yes and Yes.

If you do manage to control an X-A2 with EKOS, I'd be VERY interested.

Thanks,
Joe

KathyNS wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 3:49 pm "It's dead, Jim!"

You are braver than I am, Babo. At least you have a source of spare parts.

Well, the camera only cost me $40. And, as you said, it good for spare parts. The only thing damaged is the sensor.

I may just buy a new sensor ...

BABO

BABOafrica wrote: ↑Sat Feb 06, 2021 4:00 pm

KathyNS wrote: ↑Fri Feb 05, 2021 3:49 pm "It's dead, Jim!"

You are braver than I am, Babo. At least you have a source of spare parts.

Well, the camera only cost me $40. And, as you said, it good for spare parts. The only thing damaged is the sensor.

I may just buy a new sensor ...

BABO

Are you sure? You got the black part right, the white just needs a little work, lol.

Since I don't have an X-a2 and the electronics of yours still work, you should be able to try a gPhoto client on Linux. If you search for it, it look like it is readily available without having to install Ekos. Ekos is cool though, trying to control my T6 was fun except I forgot to learn how to save the pictures before using it.