Canon PowerShot S3 IS Digital Camera Logo

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Anonymous Posted on May 22, 2012

How to remove lens to clear dust canon powershot s3 is

How to remove dust inside the lens

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Anonymous

  • Posted on Sep 27, 2008

SOURCE: sd card error on canon powershot s3

I am just thinkng the problem is alot worse than just the memery card I think the device that reads it needs to be repaired and now wondering how much will that cost me to be repaired

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t00nz

CameraR

  • 4738 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 15, 2009

SOURCE: Canon PowerShot SX 100 IS lens error

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's some things that you can do to try to correct it. They only seem to work for less than 50% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty, they're worth a try:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

Anonymous

  • 5 Answers
  • Posted on Jun 27, 2010

SOURCE: lens error, restart camera canon powershot

The best thing to do is to first try restarting the camera. Do not push or pull on the lens as this will often cause other issues. Do not blow air in the lens as this generally moves any dirt or dust to the back and it sits on your imaging sensor, you'll end up with poor photos after that. The best thing to do is to have it serviced so it is fixed correctly and working the way it should be. The site that is great for the Powershot Models is: www.CamerasAndParts.com They only specialize in these Powershots and they have your exact lens error problem right on the site. Try them for help. They tend to be the best deal plus they're service is wonderful. You'll pay $89 for the repair, all of the service for that model and the return shipping back to you included with them. They'd be the place for help with this one, best of luck.

Anonymous

  • 11967 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 10, 2010

SOURCE: Clicking noise when PowerShot S3 lens extends and retracts

Save this for the future if and when a "lens error" appears: 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 Canon's, 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.

t00nz

CameraR

  • 4738 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 09, 2011

SOURCE: Canon PowerShot S3 IS shutter problem. Shutter

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open). To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

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Camera is saying lens error restart camera

Problem: dust in the gaps near lens which makes it jammed. Effect: the sceen shows blk color. Solution: just blow over it or vaccum it.
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Was shooting with Canon PowerShot S3 IS and the lens won't retract,screen says lens error,restart camera. I have restarted camera, changed batteries etc... still nothing. You can hear a clicking sound like...

The lens mechanism had probably got some dust, sand or grit jamming it and stopping it from retracting. Sadly the lens will be difficult to repair yourself as it needs to be completly stripped from the camera. Find a good repair shop and get a quote locally.
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Who found the mold? The lens cannot be disassembled by you. It must be done at a Canon service center and it will be expensive.
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If the camera has recently been dropped you may have lens damage that will require professional repair. If it has not been dropped, your problem is likely due to weak/worn out batteries or corrosion on the battery contacts inside the camera which can prevent the full power of the batteries from flowing into the camera. Try this free fix before you do anything else: remove the batteries and wipe the camera contacts firmly with a dry cloth (heavy corrosion may require cleaning with a wire brush, steel wool, or sandpaper). Remove any residue that may have fallen into the battery compartment during cleaning, then wipe both ends of the batteries and place them back in the camera. This cleaning clears the problem about 90% of the time. If it doesn't work for you, your batteries may need to be replaced or the camera may require professional repair.
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Need to remove lense on Powershot 870 to clean dust out

I wouldn't advise that you do it yourself unless you did your homework and know how to take it apart. I would buy a air can dust blower and try to get rid of it like that, followed by a lens brush to clear away extra dabre.

If nothing works, take it in for a service by your local camera store or into Canon.
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Powershot s3 is

clean off all fo your contacts on the inside and the battery door, even try puling up on the connectors so that they get a good connection
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