Fix sand in camera (olympus)

Hi, it could be that the lens got some dust or even sand particles between the lens covers. You might need to take it in to your local camera repair shop for a more detailed answer, but I had the same issue with my lens cover that only closed half.

Hope this helps.

Regards

It sounds like the focus element inside the lens is stuck. This is usually either due to an impact knocking the elements out of alignment, or to sand/debris entering the focus motor's gear drive and preventing it from rotating. The buzzing sound you hear is the focus motor attempting to rotate, but buzzing up against some obstruction. When the lens extends, you hear a buzzing sound, and then the lens retracts - this is usually the cause of the issue. Unfortunately there is not much you can do externally to fix this problem. The camera will need to be taken apart and repaired by a professional or by the manufacturer. David Millier http://advancecamera.com/repair

Hi.

This error indicate that focusing ring got stuck or jammed. What you can try to do is spray some compressed AIR into the lens to try to free up any sand or dust that may have worked its way in. If that doesn't help, you can gently bump the camera to try to free the focusing ring.

or.......
You can try to turn camera ON at the table (facing it to the ceiling), don't put camera down face to the floor when opening.
Else your camera need to be disassembled to get at the focusing ring at Service Center.
Good luck and have a nice day.
Rating the solution is highly appreciated.

I recently experienced a similar problem with my Stylus Digital 800 where I got a black screen everytime I took a photo. The shutter could have been stuck in the closed position. This problem developed five years after I purchased the camera. I replaced the lens assembly (p/n VJ 946700) with a new one from Olympus Parts and this solved the problem.

Hi!
Hi!
The focus is stuck. Could be sand, dirt or something in the focus gears - well known problem for these lens. Contact your local Olympus service center, but if they ask too much, you can contact me at [email protected] and I will give you a good price.

Tom

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 following photo illustrates unseated guide pins that would cause a lens error.
or

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.

Lens errors (E18 errors on Canons) 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

Lens errors (E18 errors on Canons) 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

if the picture turns all white, then you might have a problem with the screen.
-or your're just aiming it at a bright object. (try covering the lens with your hand- dont actually touch it, just block out the light and if the screen goes dark then its still working)

if some sand or grit got inside your camera, then you have a serious problem, as sand is very abrasive,and could damage the internal mechnisims.

you should seek professional help on getting the inside cleaned out.

Press the power button on and hold it down while extending and twisting the telescopic zoom lens. It might fix your problem. In any case it could not make it worse Good luck!