Canon PowerShot A85 Digital Camera - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Sounds like the camera was adjusted for flourescent lighting. The PowerShot should have a menu with various Lighting scenarios such as natural, outdoor, nighttime, sepia, etc. I would check this first. It should be easy to find. If you can't adjust the color properly with these pre-set options, there may be an RGB adjuster although I doubt it. You can certainly use a photo editor on your computer easily as well to adjust the color balance easily. If you don't use Photoshop there are free online photo editors such as http://www.gimp.org. You want to look for Color Balance and an RGB slide bar, it is quite fun to play around with.

This camera is 'broken' - repair will be expensive, so replacement may be better, especially as technology has moved on somewhat

You might as well replace the camera, they do not fix these. If you send it in to Fuji you get an exchange camera from Fuji, the cost is fairly high

You're seeing the histogram. Press the DISP button to cycle through the different views of your picture.

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries. Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

Take a look at this.

Press the FUNC/SET button. Use up/down to select Drive Mode (the rectangle, third item from the top). Use left/right to select the desired delay and press FUNC/SET. Start the self-timer by pressing the shutter release button as usual.

Try the procedures in this tip.

You don't need a driver.The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

Format the memory card and then insert in the camera. After that try to take photos. If not working then camera firmware fault. Go for repairing . Repair cost not more than 30$.

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Having gone over a month without a response to my query, I assume my suggestion to use a card reader solved the problem.

Turn the camera on. Press the MENU button. Use cursor-left/right to select the wrench-and-hammer icon. Use cursor-up/down to select the speech-bubble icon. Use the cursor buttons to select "English" and press the SET button.

The display being blank can be due to failure of the LCD of the monitor or the CCD which is the optical sensor of the camera. So to confirm check the older picture to be seen on the display. Confirm this by checking the card on your PC. If the display is not seen, then the LCD can be faulty, fault on the linking cable or the control board.

However if the older images are seen well then the LCD is working correctly and the fault can be failure of the CCD- charge coupled device in the camera. If you have accidently exposed the camera directly to high intensity light / sunlight, then it is possible that it is damaged. Remove the battery and keep the camera aside to reset and try as a last resort. Get estimate before you decide. It will be good to have it checked at the authorised service as you do not have to run around for spares.Thank You for using fixya

You can download copy of the user manual for this camera from this links, just click HERE or HERE.

But how about newly taken pictures with this problem, are they also black? If so, this sounds like it might be a defective CCD imager, and is a known defect for your particular model camera.. If so, Canon should fix this for you for free if you live in the US, Canada, and a select few other countries. If you live outside the US, contact Canon support for your country to see if they'll still honor the advisory (some still will, especially if you stress you knowledge that this is a known defect of the camera). They may also include free shipping both ways (free shipping varies with countries). This is regardless of your camera's warranty status. Please see this link for more info.

This sounds like it might be a defective CCD imager, and is a known defect for your particular model camera.. If so, Canon should fix this for you for free if you live in the US, Canada, and a select few other countries. If you live outside the US, contact Canon support for your country to see if they'll still honor the advisory (some still will, especially if you stress you knowledge that this is a known defect of the camera). They may also include free shipping both ways (free shipping varies with countries). This is regardless of your camera's warranty status. Please see this link for more info.

Hi,

This problem might be due to a defective CCD image sensor.

Regardless of warranty status, Canon will repair the camera free of charge and also cover the cost of shipping and handling in connection with this repair.

For more details, please refer to the Canon product advisory by clicking here.

Thanks for using FixYa.

Unfortunately, many cameras that fall prey to e18 lens error problems can only be corrected by professional repair. But, here are some last resort troubleshooting steps that you can try that may correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty (or repair cost approaches that of the camera), they're worth that try.