The screen on my pentax optio 50L will show pictures i have previously taken and will also show all information of camera settings and menus. But it will not show any live views and if i take a picture it saves on the memory card as a completley black image. Would appreciate some advice please, Thankyou John

SOURCE: I have wo black bands across the screen on my Pentax Option 550

have you tried changing the camera's settings back to default? in the camera's menu, find 'reset settings' or 'factory settings' or something like that to reset the camera settings.. you might have messed with some settings, otherwise it may be hardware failure, may be the LCD of your camera.. hope not so.. lol

SOURCE: Pentax Optio 50L Lens Error

I have the same problem, which is not one but only a symptom : this problem occurs if the camera doesn't appreciate the batteries you feed it with ! use another brand, another model, or if rechargeable use another set of fully charged batteries...
I consider this problem coming from faulty design of the camera which consumes batteries very fast AND is very sensitive to the battery type you're using :-(

SOURCE: i have a pentax optio 50l and when i turn on the

Usually "lens error" means that the lens can't be telescoped out, and it's not a good sign. You'll probably need to send the unit to tech repair.

If the unit does not make any noise at all, it could just be a loose motor connector (but it could just as well be a fritzed motherboard or a dead coil in the motor - which would require a unit replacement).

It could also mean that the internal electronics got stunned or the battery pack hasn't enough juice. So, before trying anything else, get a fully powered battery pack (or external power supply) and retry after leaving the camera "cold" with no battery for a couple of minutes.

If possible, try getting a battery with a slight overvoltage (e.g., replace rechargeable batteries with nonrechargeable ones, just this once).

If there is a grinding noise reminding of plastic cobs snapping together, that's probably exactly what it sounds like - the drive train of the lens broke, and again you'll have to get it replaced.

A very short grinding noise, immediately aborted, could mean you get incredibly lucky - there's a grain of sand or something like that in the telescope, and is wedged hard enough to immediately stop operations before the drive train gets damaged. Try looking with a strong light between the "rings" that make up the telescoping lens, and inspect the outside of the rings (if possible) for scratches. If the obstacle is visible you might be able to dislodge it with a hard plastic sheet (those used in OHP) used edgewise. Also try blowing air in the ring gaps.

You could also try to "help" the drive train by GENTLY pulling on the lens and pressing the power button, or keep the shutter button pressed while powering on (this should run the autofocus retraining and lens extension together).

This happened to me often on Casio cameras which are really good, but have the "rings" not packed close together enough, so that unless you keep them with great care, dirt will find a way to wedge in.

SOURCE: pentax optio x-lens malfuntion

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.

SOURCE: no image/sound mesage when I try to view pictures taken

I would try formatting the card, and trying with new pictures. If that does not work, you may need a new main board. The main boards on that model are prone to problems. You will have to decide if it is worth fixing, if formatting does not fix it. If you want to sell this camera, contact me at: mrfixitmark at comcast dot net I can use this camera for parts.