Camera Repair, Part I

Dropped your camera? It's not working? Maybe you can fix it. Here's how. Part 1 of 4.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• digital
• camera
• repair

[BridgitBorderCollie]

I have a casio exilim, and while videoing my dog, it fell off the stand, and fell on the back, flat on the screen. Now, nothings wrong with the screen, but the lens got jammed. I made a stupid choice of shoving them back in, and now it'll come on, an let me view my pictures, but the lens will not come out, and I cannot take pictures. I even have the video of when it fell LOL. Anyways. Is there any way you think I can fix this?

thanks ^.^

Beca

[ThomasHardmanJr]

@BridgitBorderCollie Yikes. The mechanical elements of the lens assembly -- the part that makes the lens go in and out -- are very precision made and extremely delicate. Trying to force these mechanisms is a really bad idea, it's almost guaranteed to ruin them.

I have run into a comparable problem with my Canon ZR-80 mini-DV camcorder. I foolishly tried to speed up the loading of the tape with a little pressure, and it's busted for real, about $200 will get it repaired. New camera time. ;)

[kae258]

So you probably get a lot of these camera questions, and I completely understand if you don't reply tot hem, but I figured I would try my luck asking you a question anyway. My Kodak Easyshare camera will not turn on. After attempting (with no luck) to charge it, I tested the battery and the continuity for the charger, and my next step is to start taking the camera apart. Do you have any advice for what I should look for?

[ThomasHardmanJr]

@kae258 If you take it apart, start looking for tiny ribbon cables that have their connectors popped loose from sockets. I've had two different cameras, one a camcorder and one a digi-cam, and both got dropped and both were fixed by pressing a cable terminator back into the socket. It sounds to me as if perhaps the connector to the charging plug might be loose. Also, rechargable batteries do have limited lifespans, it's possible that the internal battery has reached the end of lifetime. Replace.

[GomezVendable]

umm i put the wrong charger in my camera and now it wont turn on can i fix it?

[ThomasHardmanJr]

@GomezVendable Probably you can't fix this. Usually there's a charging circuit on a chip, you would have to find out which chip and then replace that. When you use the wrong charger, especially if it reverses polarity and applies excess voltage, a tiny diode on the chip goes *pop* and that means the chip is dead.

[myworld1112]

i have a hitachi hdc-1409ep camera and i am from the UK i dropped the camera and the lens has jammed in so it is wonky at the side and when i turn it on the lens doesnt move or make a noise but the camera turns on makes the 'on' noise and the mode button flashes then it turns back off :( please tell me what i can do. p.s the camera is insured

[paulomoreira007]

@Tu2woley2k You must get the original Panasonic batteries. My Lumix GF2 does the same time to time, just turn it on and off and it starts working.

[catsblood15]

@BridgitBorderCollie smack it on your palm a few times but make sure the "dock hole" is the spot hitting your palm.

[FunnySkatersPuga]

i dropped my a520 and lens is not coming out plz heelp youll save my 400$ plzzz

[andychace]

Followed this video, and I was able to fix my Kodak mx1063. Thanks!

[Tu2woley2k]

Dropped my Pana DMC-LX5 and broke the LCD. Camera still took pictures, as I could view them on my PC's cardreader. I purchased a new LCD from Panasonic Parts and it was simple to install using downloaded service manual. PROBLEM: When I turn camera on the LCD works fine and previews the last picture taken, then within seconds it goes dark and says: "This Battery Cannot Be Used" and shuts off. Got another OEM battery, same problem. If I'm fast, 3 sec, I can get 1 pic. Your expert Advice!?

[devil0710ful]

@devil0710ful brand is nikon

[devil0710ful]

i use my aunt one,the lens jammed