Quick advice... Please! - DPChallenge Forums

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

11/15/2006 03:13:58 PM · #1

My aunt just called me and told me she's getting a "lens error" on her Nikon Coolpix 8800. I told her to try taking out the battery and putting it back in. I then asked her what she was doing when she got this error. She said and I quote "I was trying to change the lens". D'oh!!!! First I had to stop laughing before I could ask her what she meant. She has additional add on lens' she got when she got the camera and she decided she wanted to try them out! She actually tried to unscrew the fixed lens! So, do you think she's hosed? She asked me to stop and look anyway, but since I don't fix camera's, I really don't know what to tell her other than take it in for repair.

vxpra

Pentax K100D

11/15/2006 03:47:50 PM · #2

This doesn't sound good.

From my experience P&S's really don't like to have their lenses removed (is that an understatement or what?)

How hard did she try to remove it? If she really cranked on it she might've twisted it out of line. I'll try to explain this. When you take apart a zoom lens there are generally 2 or 3 small channels in the interior lens tube that mate up with screws with teflon washers. I am not explaining this well at all. But basically the screws are on a seperate tube that is actually manipulated by the zoom motor. Its possible something is just out of alignment and the camera doesn't know what to do, but it is also possible its off track.

I used to take alot of P&S's apart.

My advice is to send it to Nikon

Best of luck.

Message edited by author 2006-11-15 15:50:00.

justine

Canon EOS-50D

11/15/2006 03:50:00 PM · #3

Did a quick Google there is a bunch on 8800 and lens error. Maybe she can find some help there-?
Bummer for her.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/15/2006 03:57:09 PM · #4

Thanks for the replies guys. I just located an authorized Nikon repair place right here in town. They only want $15 for an estimate. I told her I'd come look, but I'm still going to tell her to take it there. If you have them fix it, they even apply the $15 fee to the repair. I still can't get over that she tried to take off the lens. LOL. Sometimes I'd really like to slap her in the head and say "what were you thinking?". I'll check out google real quick before I go, since she's also computer illiterate. ;P

quiet_observation

Canon EOS-7D

11/15/2006 04:03:04 PM · #5

Be sure and try a fresh battery and try to turn it on before you take it in. On my 8700, I got a lens error a few times but eventually the camera recovered on its own. I didn't try to take off the lens though.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

11/15/2006 04:06:33 PM · #6

On my 5400, I get "lens error" when the zoom extends too far and hits the lens itself.

Rebecca

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

11/15/2006 04:08:09 PM · #7

nevermind, misread original

Message edited by author 2006-11-15 16:13:15.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

11/15/2006 04:08:26 PM · #8

I just checked out a bunch of sites on this. It seems the most common cure is a whack on the side of the camera. Ouch. The second is replacing the battery. I'll give it a try, but I don't hold out much hope.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

11/15/2006 04:26:27 PM · #9

The "whack" is an excellent technique.

Though it may or may not apply to cameras, here are Deb's Rules for Fixing Things:
1. Is it plugged in?
2. Is it turned on?
(You'd be surprised how many things can be fixed by checking 1 or 2)
3. Kick it. (Corollary - whack it)
4. If all else fails, buy a new one. :-)

Good luck!