Fuji S4500 will not stay on mode that is selected constantly switches between auto/SR auto/SP/P shooting modes meaning that by the time it decides what mode I want it set to I have missed the shot.

Sounds like a loose internal connection somewhere. Service centre, I'm afraid.

No good working auto focus can have many causes.
Like the camera is in Macro mode, or manual focus. The best thing to try, is to switch your camera to the auto mode. The camera logo on your mode dial. And then shoot some pictures. There should be enough light and contrast in the frame, on the place you want the camera to focus on. Sometimes you have to chose an object, with enough details and contrast, on the same distance as the object you want to take a picture of. Then press the shutter half way, till the camera is in focus. the indicator lamp next to the mode dial glows green. Then frame the picture like you want it taken end only than press the shutter completely.
If the camera does focus correct in the auto mode, then you can check, why it did not focus before.
Check page 19 of the manual, to see how to use the shutter release button, for correct focus.

The priority modes often give you more control over more features than auto mode does. In auto mode, the camera is deciding your white-balance, and may not let you select a white balance setting even if you wanted to. In aperture priority, your camera will give you control over white balance. Switch to aperture priority, then check your white-balance (wb) mode. You should still be able to select "auto" within these settings if you'd like, but feel free to play with the various settings to get your ideal photo. Good luck!

Depending on the SUBJECT of your SHOOT you can select the PRESET settings on the camera as the aperture is set accordingly.
So decide on and select from the mode to be set.
The Auto Mode will take care of all this automatically and is ideal for amateurs. Just be careful to wait to focus and adjust before you shoot.

if u select mannual mode u have to press flash button,whitch is on left side below flash unit,if u select auto mode, flash itself elect when u half press the click button.

ISO can be changed in P, S. A and M mode only.
You cannot change the ISO in AUTO or SP mode.
Press Menu/OK and use < and > to select ISO. Use
up and down arrow to change the ISO. Press OK

Hello,
To solve this problem you need to use the SP shooting mode.
Replace battery with new High power ones. and switch ON keeping pressed the PLAY Button.
If still does not retract disable the flash and repeat the operation without the XD/SD Memory Card inserted. It will then close the shutter magic.
Regards,
PDG

In 1990s Sony camcorder records movie in analog format so playing in digital camcorder like DCR-TRV730 doesn't mean it will be converted in digital format and you can not import file in PC for editing purpose. You will get analog signal while playing back old cassettes.

Regarding SP, LP speed, its decided at time of recording. Camera sens SP or LP automatically in playback and set itself accordingly.

If you want to convert old cassettes into digital format, connect our camcorder to DVD recorder and burn DVD which is digital format, copy DVD files in to PC and do desired editing.

My mode awitch detached.
A fuji fix cists $130.
Where can I get help with assembly?

Alan

In order to shoot "HI" TIFF images first set the Image Size option to either "5M 2592x1944" or "3:2 2592x1728." Next, choose "HI" as the Image Quality option. "HI" is only available in one of the manual exposure modes (P, S, A or M) and is not available in the "Auto" shooting mode. If "HI" is selected and the camera is switched to "Auto" the Image Quality will automatically switch to "FINE" mode and a JPEG image will be recorded. Additionally, "HI" is only available in "S" Single frame Continuous shooting.