20 Most Recent Canon PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera - Page 7 Questions & Answers

Are you using a lens with macro capabilities?

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.

Set the camera to the shooting mode. Press the FUNC button. Use cursor-up/down to select the third item from the top along the left edge of the screen. Use cursor-left/right to select "B/W" and press the FUNC button.

For full details, refer to the "Shooting in a My Colors Mode" section of the Advanced User Guide (page 80 in my copy). If you need a manual, you can download one from
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/digital_cameras/powershot_g_series/powershot_s3_is#BrochuresAndManuals


http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/
consumer/digital_cameras/powershot_g_series/
powershot_s3_is#BrochuresAndManuals

no display,are u getting recorded in the memory card,if not it is problem of shutter,not functiong to form image,see a camera tec.

I'm not 100% sure, but it sounds like low batteries.
Use good Alkaline batteries. Wipe the battery terminals with a clean dry cloth before inserting.
Also try keeping the camera in a dehumidifier for a day or two. Batteries seem to die quickly in cameras with moisture.
By the way, do you operate it in cold weather?
Let us know the results, and thanks for using FixYa!

I would imagine a part has broken in your camera. The best advice I can say is to get it professionally serviced and don't take it apart on your own. Many times with these products when you take them apart, more damage can be done and you'll often need parts anyway. If you go to this site: www.camerasandparts.com they just service the powershots exclusively and they are amazing for servicing these cameras. They don't charge much at all with there total service packages and your specific problem is on their site. It doesn't say what the cause is but to fix it and service the camera with shipping is $89. I can tell you from experience they are wonderful for service on these Canon cameras. Hopefully you can get it working nicely again since that is a really nice camera.

Hello

Thank you for using FIXYA!!!

This is a suggestion. If you do not feel comfortable trying it, you will need to take the unit to your nearest service centre. Feel free to let me know if you need any assistance.

The problem might be that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.

Use these at own risk as it may further damage the camera.

Firstly , try connecting your ac adapter or usb cable.

Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera.

Look at the lens , and if some of the lens 'circles' is misaligned or not concentric then try wiggling it (while holding camera lens down).

Try gently pushing or pulling the lens when it extends but this is risky as it may cause the lens barrel to slip out of its guidance system.

Another way to do this is to place the camera lens down on a hard surface and then power it up. Be sure to use a soft cloth or something similar as to not scratch your lens or casing. Let the lens push the camera up and down a few times and sometimes the little resistance provided by the camera is enough to get things going again.

Try hitting your camera near the lens on the body with the soft tissue on the palm of your hand.

Other than that , I would take the camera to a repair centre for a evaluation to see if it would cost more to repair than to replace the camera.

If it is still under warranty I would suggest you take it in before trying any of these steps and remove any off-brand batteries or accessories as some stores are really fussy about warranty repairs on camera's with non-brand accessories.

You can also have a look at THIS link.

Hope the advise is useful. please do not hesitate to let me know if you need any further assistance. Also, please be so kind to let me know if you found this helpful.

Regards
Andrea

Lens errors are fairly common. 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 ...
Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can try that may (or may not) 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. Some of the later steps do involve some risk to the camera, so carefully weigh your options before deciding to conduct them:

Had the same problem with my S3 is and couldnt find any help other than to junk it and buy another camera. WAY too expensive to repair (out of warranty)
I found a post and this worked for me...just fixed it about an hour ago. Mine would show a blank screen on the LCD nothing thru the view finder other than the menu screen. Found out the shutter was stuck and that seems to be a common issue with these cameras. This is how I fixed mine.
1. set the shutter speed to the longest setting you can. I put mine on the TV setting.

2. close the flash and set turn off all of the functions you can to conserve the batteries.

3. take a picture and within 5 seconds open the battery door. Then close it back and repeat. Your trying to interrupt the shutter reset process thereby "unsticking" the stuck shutter.

4. If this fails then try LIGHTLY tapping the camera against a piece of wood, again to unstick the shutter.

Sounds like a bad idea but considering I had tossed my camera in a drawer and already replaced it, I didnt really have much to lose. I was pleasantly suprised to see that after about 15 resets (steps 1-3) and a couple of light taps, the camera is working good as new again.

Good luck, hope it works out for you!

You can download the manual and more from the manufacturer's web site at
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/digital_cameras/powershot_g_series/powershot_s3_is#BrochuresAndManuals


http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/
digital_cameras/powershot_g_series/
powershot_s3_is#BrochuresAndManuals

Hi, Unfortunately the shutter has likely worn out, in that camera it can be fixed but costs upwards of $300 when you find someone who is able to fix it if you don't have warranty left on the camera. If you need more help let me know =)

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 ZoomBrowser or any other photo cataloging program.

The lens extends and re-tracts evertime it powers down....

Your previous diagnostic definitely indicates a mechanical problem, once the possibility that a false sensor signal to the main board as the cause by resetting all functions. It is very likely that there is a blockage or a broken internal part that is preventing the correct positioning of the lens which triggers the shutdown and error display.

Sounds like the Lens, Focus or Optical Image Stabilization drive motors are bound or broken. To fix this wrong will need disasemble the lens unit, focousing unit to do service; if needs, replace the damaged parts and assemble to run normally. Don't do this if your camera is under warranty.

The links below give additional step by step DIY instructions on troubleshooting and attempting to fix this problem. A Canon camera is used to demonstrate these procedures but, the lens structure of these compact cameras is the same so the examples do apply to this unit. These procedures are effective about 60% of the time. Click on or copy and paste the links into your browser. Pay special attention to the opening statement at the first link if there is any chance of warranty repair.

Here is a video of the normal power up sequence of the camera and there other moethods:
1. Here is the first alternate method
2. Here is the second alternate method

Additionally, check this links for additional details that could find in this article link: fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, many cameras that fall prey to 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.

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.

Welcome to Fixya

Sounds like the pictures are hidden. Take out the memory card of the acmera and plug it in to a computer that has a card reader. Click the file and folder options of your computer then click the box that says SHOW HIDDEN FILES AND FOLDERS. You should be able to view your pictures now using the computer.

Thank you for using Fixya! If you need further help, reach me via phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/elixirjose_00375ea24bd8141b

Lens errors are fairly common. 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 ... Unfortunately, many cameras that fall prey to this can only be corrected by professional repair. But, here are some things that you can do 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, they're worth a try.

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.

For this issue you just need to reinstall the software or driver for your camera. Then restart your Pc. Then you need to connect your camera again to check if the pc will recognized it. You may also try to check if the cable you're using to connect your camera to your pc is not damaged because usually the cable is the one causing the issue.

Hope this help you a bit. Have a great day.

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.