20 Most Recent Canon PowerShot SD890 / IXUS 970 IS Digital Camera Questions & Answers

Press the playback button (right-pointing triangle). Press and hold the FUNC/SET button and press the menu button. Use the cursor keys to select the language and press the FUNC/SET button.

The instructions are in the "Setting the Display Language" section of the manual (page 15 in my copy). If you need a copy of the manual, you can download one from the manufacturer's web site at
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/digital_cameras/powershot_sd_series/powershot_sd890_is#BrochuresAndManuals

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 card may be corrupted and unusable. Try with a new SD Card. If that doesn't work, you need Canon Service. Try formatting it in the computer, add images and see if you can see the images in the camera.

If the batteries are the same age as the camera, they are probably worn out. Try replacing them.

What did the error prompts?

Settings menu to off the option

So the pics vanished from the memory card, right? Perhaps you can insert the card to your computer and try a photo recovery tool on it. Give this app a try if you're a Mac user. Recover Digital Photo Music and Video on Mac OS

Try doing a factory reset.

The wrist strap has a thin loop on one end. Thread this thin section (like threading a needle) through the strap hole. (It's on the left side of the camera. There are two openings with a bar over the top of the center of them at the bottom corner of the camera body.) Start threading from the middle of the body of the camera and push the strap towards the bottom of the unit. You may need to twist the loop to narrow it and keep it tight. Once you have this narrow loop through the camera, open up the loop and slide the thick material through the center of this thin loop. Pull the wrist strap until the thin loop tightens around the bar. This is shown on page 12 of the D30 manual. The manual is available from Canon support on the Powershot page: http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0300013985/02/psd30-cu2-en.pdf. The direct link to the manual is http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/5/0300013985/02/psd30-cu2-en.pdf . I hope this helps. Cindy Wells (Many lanyard straps for electronic gear work the same way. Threading the narrow section under that bar does require decent near point vision. People who are far-sighted may need to wear bifocals or ask someone younger to assist.)

Reduce the quality in the menu

Get a card reader for your computer, if it doesn't already have one. The card will then appear as another hard drive, and you can transfer photos the same way you transfer any other kind of files. Using a card reader is also likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer/

Each attempt to do what ?

Do you mean when playing video back on the camera? If so, when the video is playing, press on the top of the wheel, the part with the triangle pointing upwards (up-arrow). You should see the small volume level indicator get an increasing number of bars and the volume will increase.