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Note: This camera was first sold in Feb 2006. It has been replaced by the Canon SD850 IS.
Canon PowerShot SD700 IS
Canon PowerShot SD700 IS
  • 4 out of 5
"GREAT CAMERA"
  • 4 out of 5
"Streaks on LCD"
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Question Answered!
Gerry (Gerry) 0 pts
September 25, 2007 2:29 PM

Camera doesn't focus

Would like some advice on how to troubleshoot this problem. I love this camera, and everything seems to work fine, except it can't focus. The camera was dropped while the lens was extended and this is what I am experiencing:

1) Once the camera is on, the image on the LCD screen is blurry, except when I zoom out to maximum length, then the image is sharp (no change when I try to zoom in as image still blurry)
2) But then after I press the shutter, I get the message "lens error, restart camera"
3) The lens retracts, but the lens cpver doesn't close completely.
4) If I take the battery out and reinsert, camera turns off properly.

I've tried resetting the menu options, pressing the menu button for 5 seconds, lightly twisting the lens while extended, but nothing fixes the problem. I feel like I'm this close to making the camera work, but just cannot get there.

I think it has something to do with the lens being fully extended at the maximum zoom length (the only way I can get a sharp image), where the lens cannnot retract to zoom in, only to close.

Any advice would be helpful.
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Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
September 26, 2007 7:31 PM
1 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
You can try restarting the camera several times to see if the error clears. We get this often. It may have gone out of alignment off the rails slightly since dropping it has knocked the lens out of alignment.

There's an entire website devoted to this. In a nutshell, Canon E18 error happens when the lens gets stuck while trying to extend. The camera will beep a few times and the LCD will display a little E18 in the lower-left corner. The lens gets stuck in the extended position, and refuses to move either to focus the lens or to retract when powered off.

If your camera is still under warranty, the best thing you can do have Canon should fix it. Warning though, they may nail you for repair charges due to impact damage.

If your camera is out of warranty, or if Canon refuses to repair it for free, the one thing you can try is to If you gently, and I do mean GENTLY push against the lens with the PALM of your hand as you turn it on, it may cause it to depress back into the camera. If that doesn't work, and you can't reset it or turn it on/off several times, then you may have to send it in for a repair estimate anyway.

Be advised, however, that if it's out of warranty, it may cost more to repair than it is really worth. The rule of thumb is that if the estimate for repair is north of 50% what you paid for it, you're better off taking that money and buying a newer and upgraded model.
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Gerry (Gerry) 0 pts
September 27, 2007 10:26 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Thanks James. I guess the "lens error restart camera" is the updated display of the E18. I've tried your suggestion of holding my palm against the lens as it is powered on, but that doesn't seem to work. I'll try all this again in a few days, then when I have time, take it apart using other websites to guide me through. Not sure what this will really do other than fully exhaust what I can do without sending it in (beyond warranty).

In the meantime, I'm going to use my new Canon 750 to take pictures.
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by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
September 29, 2007 2:17 AM
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DO NOT TAKE IT APART before you send it in to Canon. You may add to the damage and increase your repair estimate.
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LeonK 0 pts
January 4, 2008 8:30 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Gerry, did you manage to take the camera apart and fix it? I cannot find any online guides for taking a 750 (or 700) apart. The guides are for other older models.
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