Canon PowerShot G11 Digital Camera - Page 2 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Hi, I've seen that issue before with the G11, it's due to faulty wiring on the circuit board and can only be fixed by a Canon authorized repair shop as fixing that issue is very involved.

Turn the dial next to the screen to the right until it goes away (the one with the func. set button in the middle)

Have the camera at a repair shop as soon as possible. Leaving the moisture in there can cause further issues, especially if it's salt water. The place that is wonderful for the Powershots (that's all they work on) is: www.camerasandparts.com They don't charge much at all and they do wonderful work on these cameras. That's where a lot of people go for help with these cameras. Good luck.

But you can take pics? When you transfer this pics at pc... they are blank too? Could be a problem with the LCD screen viewer or CCD Image sensor go to bad. In both cases this isn't a job that you could solve yourself; this wrong include distorted images or abnormal colors, scratchy purple lines, blank or black pictures, and/or black videos with good sound being recorded on the camera's flash card.

I suggest check THIS LINK for additional details in this previous solutions for an Defective CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and next contact your Canon service. I strongly suggest (taking into consideration the age of your camera) to evaluate the cost of repair versus the cost of a new camera with similar features, before making a final desicion.

If your camera have some "anti-vibration" setup, check if this is activated, or its possible that this system is go to bad or need to be recalibrated.

Hope this helps.

The G9 has a design defect with screws that loosen, fall out, and short out the camera. I don't think the G11 has this problem, but it is most likely the fuse on the DC/DC board that has 'blown' causing there to be no power.

I'm not sure how much the part costs, usually about $30-40. We repair the no power problem for the Canon G9 for $85 incl parts, installation and return shipping of the camera.

Thomas Drayton
Owner, Darntoothysam.com
Affordable Digital Camera Repair

hi,it is mainly wrong with your camera shutter button and shutter flex. it is very vital for you to replace them immeditaly,or it will effect their normal working.the following is something related to canon g11, there is some shutter flex and shutter button.

cindy

http://www.digitalcamera-parts.net/

www.skiliwah

MSN:[email protected]

Receiving no response to my query in over two months, I assume my suggestion to use a card reader solved the problem.

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

Your lens does sound like it needs to be replaced, but I would recommend dealing directly with Canon. If your camera is still in warranty they may do the repair for free, if not they will replace the lens for a flat rate charge of $159. It's a little expensive, but it will be done right, using a brand new lens.Thomas

Try setting your camera mode to Smart Auto.

Try 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 Canon ZoomBrowser or any other photo cataloging program.

Try 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 ( http://picasa.google.com ).

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous interiors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particles that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

The time of charging dosen't matter if your battery dead. Try to use another one

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 iPhoto or ZoomBrowser or any other photo cataloging program.

Consider NOT plugging your camera into 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.

Go to the Canon website, search for the G11 and look for "Camera User Guide". At least for now, this link should take you to the site.

There is two ways to view your "taking picture" with the LCD and with the viewfinder, you can shut the LCD off to save battery power and use the viewfinder and that is what I think has happened. a touch of the DISP button and it will switch from the LCD to the viewfinder. here is a diagram

Diagram

With you saying the LCD is working for functions but not for taking pictures this is what I suspect is the problem.

It could be a bad battery. Try using AC power or getting a new battery. What is the temperature. if it's cold try bringing the camera slowly up to room temperature.

Hi Rania. If you go with a place that knows what they're doing, the camera will be perfect again, sometimes even better as they'll service it all up at the same time. A site that a lot of people go to for help with the Canon Powershots is: www.camerasandparts.com They just do service exclusively on the powershots and they are wonderful if you need help with one of these. Try them, it runs $89 for everything with the repair and the service for the camera included. They're the place if you need help with a model like this. Good luck.