Camera Repair

[organicmama]

Okay. The ONE thing in the house that we didn't buy the year warranty on is NOW not working, 9 months later. Our camera won't open when you turn it on. I have a feeling it's something stuck in the lens. Does anyone know who can repair cameras around here? I've got a feeling it's one of those it's cheaper to buy a new one than to fix it, but our computer wasn't bad at all, so I am hopeful. Thanks so much in advance!

BTW, Image Computers rocks! He fixed my computer problem quickly and cheaply!

[kurt]

These days it's return to manufacturer or authorized service center and probably not worth it unless you paid more than a couple of hundred. Call customer service - sometimes there is a reboot procedure that might reset everything. but first take the battery out for awhile and then put it back in, that might reboot it.

[Smiling JOe]

You might check and see how you paid for it and the length of the original warranty. Typically, something like a camera will have a one year manufacturer's warranty. I know that with certain restrictions, American Express will double the manufacturer's warranty if you you purchased the item using their card. Visa or MasterCard may do likewise.

For extended warranties in general, I use Clark Howard's philosophy, and opt out for anything electronic. The price for electronics is cut in half every year for similar technology, and the technology doubles. Put that extra money in a savings account for the replacement. My camera now has a small dent in the sliding cover, after a kid dropped it, and when turning off the camera, I have to give it a solid tap to close the door completely. I don't think the designers thought that people would actually carry their cameras in their pockets every where they went. I do, and it gets plenty of wear and tear.

As Kurt said, sending back for repair outside of warranty will probably cost you $60 for them to look at it. Even more for parts and or repair, and they might tell you that it isn't repairable. What kind of camera is it? an SLR, or pocket cam?

[organicmama]

Thanks to both of you!

It's just a little Sony Cybershot. It was about $350.00. That's why I don't think it's worth sending it in, or even hunting through those dang files that I have needed to clean out since we moved down here.

I carry it in my pocket also. Another . It's probably got a piece of sand stuck in it somewhere. I took the battery out for a few days, but I will take the memory card out also.

I can get the couple of shots that are on it now out of it, which is good. I didn't loose anything. I've just had to resort to the camera phone lately.

[Smiling JOe]

Before deciding to ditch it completely, you might try blowing into the area which is supposed to open. I'm sure that there are warnings against doing so in the user guide, but if it will be trashed it is worth a try. It most likely is clogged up with something like a grain of beach sand or pocket lint. If blowing doesn't work, you might try a can of pressurized air, which is made for cleaning out keyboards and other electronic devices. You can find it at office supply stores and many other stores which may carry electronics or office supplies. The canned air is fairly powerful, and as you probably know, expanding air cools very rapidly, so you don't want to stick it directly up to the opening to start with. Hold maybe 6-8 inches away and see if that works prior to moving in closer with the can. You also might want to try bumping the camera against the palm of your hand to try to dislodge whatever might be making it stick.

[Bob]

Buy your camera at Costco. They will take back your camera at any time should it die, and will refund your purchase price.

[organicmama]

Before deciding to ditch it completely, you might try blowing into the area which is supposed to open. I'm sure that there are warnings against doing so in the user guide, but if it will be trashed it is worth a try. It most likely is clogged up with something like a grain of beach sand or pocket lint. If blowing doesn't work, you might try a can of pressurized air, which is made for cleaning out keyboards and other electronic devices. You can find it at office supply stores and many other stores which may carry electronics or office supplies. The canned air is fairly powerful, and as you probably know, expanding air cools very rapidly, so you don't want to stick it directly up to the opening to start with. Hold maybe 6-8 inches away and see if that works prior to moving in closer with the can. You also might want to try bumping the camera against the palm of your hand to try to dislodge whatever might be making it stick.

We've tried the blowing and it didn't work. Talked about getting the can of air for cleaning electronics but I forget every time I am out of the house. At least your thoughts are along the same lines, so I am not so crazy, I guess.

When I turn it on, the screen says "Access" the lens tries to open a couple of times and then the screen says "Turn the power off and on again." Actually, it does open but doesn't extend out the way it should.

BTW, the banging didn't work. If the can o' air doesn't work, I'm SOL.

Totally OT, I've got a small buddha baby wreaking havoc in a walker... He's the type that sticks his hands in the toilet, after driving himself straight into the bathroom without hitting a wall! Plus anything else he has in his hand goes into the potty. He pulls cords off counters and iron chairs over! He's gonna be a NASCAR driver when he's older the way he can manuever around corners like a madman AND make sure he hits your ankles or toes! I got a h***raiser on my hands!

[organicmama]

Buy your camera at Costco. They will take back your camera at any time should it die, and will refund your purchase price.

I miss Costco! We were members in Alpharetta. I think there's one in P'Cola. Sadly, this was bought at Wally World in PCB last summer while hubby was on camp duty. That's what I get for buying a camera at the place I love to hate!

[Smiling JOe]

When I turn it on, the screen says "Access" the lens tries to open a couple of times and then the screen says "Turn the power off and on again." Actually, it does open but doesn't extend out the way it should.

BTW, the banging didn't work. If the can o' air doesn't work, I'm SOL.

I had the exact same problem with an older camera, and quick bursts of blowing dislodged whatever was keeping the lense from popping out, and it worked fine afterwards. That beach sand is almost like glue, not wanting to leave whatever it is attached to. Try the short burst of blowing or canned air directly around the lense extenders, and maybe try bumping it between bursts. Good luck.

[Bob]

I miss Costco! We were members in Alpharetta. I think there's one in P'Cola. Sadly, this was bought at Wally World in PCB last summer while hubby was on camp duty. That's what I get for buying a camera at the place I love to hate!

Rejoin, because it's worth the drive! Unless you've got major money in this piece, shelve it, and buy a Canon brand camera from Costco. If you're into point/shoot/family stuff, buy an "A" series Canon that takes AA batteries and SD memory. The 45 dollars to join will be your warranty! Check out their excellent website!!!!

[organicmama]

Rejoin, because it's worth the drive! Unless you've got major money in this piece, shelve it, and buy a Canon brand camera from Costco. If you're into point/shoot/family stuff, buy an "A" series Canon that takes AA batteries and SD memory. The 45 dollars to join will be your warranty! Check out their excellent website!!!!

Bob, I your tar. Thanks for the Costco reminder!

We had just talked about rejoining this week. Between Costco, the co-op, World Market (my favourite wood furniture store!) and the fact that I have family there is reason enough to make the drive!

I wish I wasn't a point & shoot kind of gal right now, but I've got 3 kids ages 5 & under.... anything past remembering my name & how to brew a stiff cup of java is rocket science.

Photography is the "art" I get from both sides of my family. Not having a camera even to shoot the munchkins is tough.

[florida girl]

I read in the paper that there will be, or is a Sony Outlet in the Silver Sands Outlet Center. They would surely know what to do with it, or go online to get their number.

[organicmama]

I read in the paper that there will be, or is a Sony Outlet in the Silver Sands Outlet Center. They would surely know what to do with it, or go online to get their number.

Thank you!