[Buckster]

thanks Yelvertoft.

an update for you all - Jessops are being very helpful and I've sent the camera off to them to see what they can do - 10/10 on Jessops I have to say - complete step change vs atitude from Fuji.

I wrote to the MD and received a prompt reponse via email this evening - in summary it said that the Customer Services manager had specifically gone through the case with the MD, and they had both felt that the appropriate conclusion had been met - IE the 25% discount (still 450 pounds repair cost!) was justified and more than fair. They reminded me that even though I'd highlighted that the fault had occurred before warranty end - just I hadn't spotted it - that the onus was completey on the customer to spot failures in a timely manner and within the warranty period.

In summary I've replied and this is my genuine feeling - that I'll never buy another Fuji camera whether they bring out the best DSLR ever - as to me I just can't treat an expensive DSLR as a 12 month /throw-away item (practically).

Buyer beware.

Mark.