| Digital camera lens repair is as common as LCD | | | | a digital signal that the camera can record. |
| repair, but it's #2 on my list because it's harder to | | | | There was a very large CCD recall by Sony over |
| repair and there are so many different types of | | | | the past few years that covers many |
| lens problems whereas a broken LCD is a broken | | | | manufacturers and not just Sony, as Sony |
| LCD no matter how you look at it. | | | | provided the CCDs to many others for their |
| Here are some basic tips to avoid breaking your | | | | cameras. The defective CCD's cause the camera |
| lens: | | | | to take solid black photos, or purple/pink "dripping |
| - Do not leave the batteries in your camera in the | | | | paint" photos, or they have repeating white |
| camera bag. The power button can be pressed | | | | horizontal or verticle lines on the images. If your |
| accidentally causing the lens to extend and get | | | | camera does this, call the manufacturer and tell |
| jammed because it cannot open properly inside | | | | them you want a repair under the CCD recall no |
| the bag. | | | | matter how old your camera is! IF it's on the list, |
| - Try not to drop the camera with the lens | | | | you might get your camera repaired for free. |
| extended. | | | | Got spots on your images that get bigger and |
| - Don't ever pull or twist on a lens that is not | | | | smaller as you zoom in and out? Most likely there |
| working 100% properly, you will just break it. | | | | is a spec of dust on your CCD. You will need to |
| I would have to write a book to fully explain lens | | | | remove the lens and then remove the CCD from |
| problems fully (hmm.. maybe a good idea!) so I will | | | | the back of the lens and clean it off. Don't lose |
| try and keep it simple and informative. | | | | the gasket that goes around the CCD, don't get |
| The lens is made up of many different parts... | | | | any other dirt inside the lens and don't leave any |
| Let's start with the several pieces of glass | | | | fingerprints! Tall order I know, sorry, I'm |
| referred to as the lens elements. | | | | demanding. =) |
| The outer lens element is prone to being | | | | Let's see... what else? Your lens is part way out, |
| scratched and scuffed, and usually has a special | | | | stuck at an angle becuase the camera was |
| coating on it that you DO NOT want to clean off | | | | dropped while turned on. Now please read that |
| with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), or Windex | | | | carefully; the lens must be stuck part way out or |
| or something similar. It's not the end of the world, | | | | all the way out, and one section of the lens MUST |
| and don't worry about it if it's missing. Just keep | | | | be stuck at an angle. The lens must not move |
| the lens clean (why are there fingerprints on your | | | | freely at all for this section to apply, and you may |
| lens anyway??) and scratch free. | | | | follow this advice AT YOUR OWN RISK. The |
| The inner-most lens element is responsible for the | | | | following repair trick works, but I am not |
| fine focus and resides directly in front of the CCD. | | | | repsonsible for your actions or anything you do to |
| When you press the shutter button half way | | | | your camera. |
| down to focus, this part moves forwards and | | | | Ok, it's stuck at an angle. Hold the camera with |
| backwards till it's in the correct position and your | | | | the angled part of the lens resting against the |
| image is in focus. You won't be messing with this | | | | edge of a table, and the rest of the camera |
| part of the lens... unless you feel like removing the | | | | hanging over the side. Do not place the camera |
| lens from the camera and then tearing down the | | | | facing down with the "Canon Zoom Lens..." |
| lens to get at it's 'guts'. It's kinda fun the first | | | | chrome ring section flat on the table. The rounded |
| time, but uh... I wish you luck getting it back | | | | edge of the lens must be what makes contact |
| together properly. The tearing apart stuff is fun, | | | | here. Now... here is the tricky part... press the |
| the putting it back together is a drag! | | | | angled part of the lens back into alignment by |
| The lens has two small motors with their own | | | | pushing down on the lens on the edge of the |
| gears that connect to the two main parts of the | | | | table. Put your fingers on the LENS below the |
| lens. The larger motor drives the lens barrel in and | | | | angled part to support it and press firmly but still |
| out when zooming. The smaller motor drives the | | | | gently (how do I do that? I don't know.. you just |
| fine focus element mentioned above and controls | | | | do it) and the lens will either POP!! back into place |
| the focus. If you get ONE GRAIN of sand in | | | | and work perfectly or it won't budge and no |
| these gears, they will jam and the lens will "error | | | | harm will be done, -OR- one of the "guide pins" |
| out" as we like to say. Open it up and clean it out | | | | that run inside a small track in the lens barrel will |
| if you like, but it's not easy. Typically the main | | | | break off and you have just destroyed the lens. |
| motor of the lens has 5-6 different gears that | | | | I told you it was at your own risk!! Camera repair |
| must be set and aligned properly to function. But | | | | is fun... right? |
| hey, your lens is already jammed, why not see | | | | Ok, how are we feeling about lenses? I think we |
| how it works, right? | | | | have covered most of the basic problems, and I |
| Then there is the CCD, "charge-coupled device" | | | | hope this helps you to get your camera repaired |
| which translates the light that enters the lens into | | | | more quickly and cheaply! |