My Canon PowerShot SD100 Digital Elph has a jammed lens. How do I fix it?

Question

The lens, you can tell is trying to come out but it's jammed and wont come out, I really want to fix it myself because I dont have enough money to get it fixed. What should I do? Also, the screen in the back, when you point the camera at something, the image will show up, but it's waaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy blurry. What do I do for this problem?

Answer 1

It sounds like you have the e18 error. I guess the SD100 is too old to get fixed under warranty. Unfortunate.

An e18 error is one where the lens mechanism cannot extend or retract. It's a common problem. Fixing it is complicated, and depending on what exactly is seizing the mechanism, may actually require replacement parts, and not just a cleaning.

If you were in warranty, it's best left to to a trained technician. Since I'm assuming you are out of warranty, there will be a cost to using a canon certified technician. Keep in mind, if you end up trying to get someone else to fix it out of warranty, it's likely to cost you around US$100~150. That can almost buy you another camera.

If you are mechanically inclined, there is a fix procedure photodocumented, (see link below) however there is no guarantee that once you open everything up that you won't find the root cause to be a permanently ruined gear mechanism.

Just so you know...I had an e18 error on an A-series camera that disappeared by itself...whatever was jamming it cleared itself, and now there are no problems. Go figure.

They have some other simple recommendations like blowing air into the mechansm, etc. on the reference website noted below. G'luck.

Answer 2

you have an e18 problem you can try pulling lens gently while twisting it remember gently I know for a fact that canon has a problem with there lenses there is a web site that will show you how to take it a part but Iv never seen so many screws canon wants $90 to fix the problem
type in the search engine e18 problems and see what happens If you decide to buy another camera type in the search engine (problems with and the what ever camera you are looking for I went with the Nikon l3

Answer 3

Sorry, but I think that you should bring the camera to an expert. If you try to disassemble the lens of a camera, chances are that you are not be able to assemble it again.

If you want to fix it yourself, don't disassemble, but try to "force" it out with your fingers. This "may" help, or may not.

The blurry image is due to the lens is not focusing correctly.

Good luck with it!!