20 Most Recent Kodak Easyshare M580 Digital Camera - Page 3 Questions & Answers

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 intreriors). 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 particals 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.

You can do that in the setup menu.

Your camera is not writing to the card because you used the internal memory. You must format the internal memory while your card is out of the camera to completely erase it. Then, your card should work.

DEAR SIR,

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer can be done by two means....

1.INSTALL THE SOFTWARE C.D GIVEN ALONG WITH THE CAMERA IN YOUR NOTE BOOK....
THEN SWITCH ON YOUR CAMERA AND CONNECT THE CAMERA TO YOUR P.C VIA U.S.B CABLE,AND WAIT FOR FEW SECONDS FOR THE P.C TO DETECT YOUR CAMERA,ONCE THE CAMERA IS DETECTED IT WILL ASK YOU,WHETHER TO COPY YOUR CAMERA IMAGES TO YOUR P.C


2..Remove 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.

thank you..take care

Press the Menu button. Use left/right to select the Setup tab. Use up/down to select "Date & Time."

An SD card must be formatted in the camera it is to be used in. This will erase the card so download any pics first.

You may be doing nothing wrong, however the camera is either having trouble with the focusing circuitry/lens assembly, or you're not holding the camera still enough, with a solid focusing object (not likely, but happens). I suspect that some aspect of the focusing circuitry (while zoomed) isn't functioning. While that can be a microprocessor problem, it's rare and not likely. Most likely there is debris (dust, sand) in the lens assembly, and needs to be blown out with compressed air. If that doesn't work, you can try to zoom, then hold the camera with the lens facing up, and bump it gently with the palm of the hand, on an area without switches. The focusing ring inside the lens assembly is sometimes stuck, or jammed by debris, and can be freed by compressed air. Bumping the camera tries to reseat the focusing ring, so that it works correctly, from the cpu signals, and focusing detector. If these suggestions don't work, it will have to be serviced. Make sure you get an estimate first- the cost of repair often exceeds replacement cost of a new camera, on sale. Good luck!

The codec on mac does not recognise your file....try using a different player....vlc....gom player...mx player...instead of the one iTunes insist on chaining everyone to.

You may download the user guide at http://www.fixya.com/support/r13011856-lens_error and the extended user guide at http://www.fixya.com/support/r13011856-lens_error

Move it back again. Did you do any editing in the computer ? If so, the camera will no longer recognise the images on the card.

I have a Z981 myself. I just set my camera as you did (to "A") but did not experience the issue you mention? Just to be clear, remember that setting the camera to "A" means "Aperture priority", meaning that you can control the lens aperture (with the "jog dial" on the top of the camera) and the camera will automatically set the shutter speed to create a proper exposure. "A" does NOT mean automatic exposure control. You must use "P" (Programmed) mode to make the camera make all the decisions about shutter speed and lens aperture. I am including a web link to the User Guide for the Z981. You might want to revisit the Guide to make sure you are using the correct settings for your pictures. BTW, I like my Z981 quite a bit, especially the zoom. I've taken some great pictures with it. http://resources.kodak.com/support/pdf/en/manuals/urg01118/Z981_xUG_GLB_en.pdf

Surely this information is included in the technical specifications at the rear (probably) of the camera manual ?

Sounds like your screen is toast and time to find a new camera. They are not cost-effective to replace on a lower-cost camera.