glenn Hile (ghile) 2 pts

January 5, 2007 10:20 AM

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Black screen when picture is taken LS 443

No picture recorded when taken or when LCD is used as view finder. Did this when new and was repaired under warranty several years ago. Started doing it only when telephot is used now no pictures ever.

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Ben Keough (DeadWolfBones) 10631 pts

January 5, 2007 12:39 PM

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Hi Glenn,

If you're getting black picture output (image files) and no image on the LCD screen, it's most likely an issue with the camera's CCD (imaging sensor). Can you still see the status indicator overlays on the LCD (icons, etc)?

Since the camera is several years old it's definitely out of warranty, and that means an expensive repair on a severely out of date camera. If I were you I'd definitely consider upgrading to something newer and better.

Sorry, and good luck!

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Ken 29 pts

January 19, 2007 11:45 AM

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I purchased a LS443 Kodak camera enjoyed using the camera then after 2 years the black screen of death appeared, kodak has offered no repair or recall for this defective camera. I bought Kodak because of there reputation in photography,
In fact I have a shelf full of kodaks cameras some 100 years old and still work, any ways kodak dropped the ball on this one and need to be held to task there is a law firm that is considering a class action law suit and are asking for experiences regarding this camera, I have read the chinese are also filing one if you had the same problems as me I posted the link below.

www.lieffcabraser.com/kodak-easyshare.htm

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Brad Surner 28 pts

March 13, 2007 4:21 PM

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I have an LS443 with the same black screen. Everything else works fine but you snap a picture and it acts like it works (flash and all) and it is black.

I contacted Kodak and they seem to be in the dark (pun intended) about this situation.

I have had the camera for 3 years and have taken a fair amount of pictures. I am I being unreasonable to think that this should last longer than this, or is this just technology that can fail and that's the price you pay for being in the digital world?

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Melinda 1 pts

April 4, 2007 4:33 PM

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I purchased a LS443 Kodak I used this camera very gently now after a few years old I went on a day trip starting to take a few pictures and the black screen of death appeared, kodak has offered no repair or recall for this defective camera.

Please go to the below link. There is a law firm that is considering a class action law suit and are asking for experiences regarding this camera. Let's stick together and try to get our cameras fixed by Kodak.

www.lieffcabraser.com/kodak-easyshare.htm

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Abby 3 pts

April 11, 2007 3:22 PM

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I work for a consumer rights law firm and I'm interested in hearing people's experiences with the LS443. Please email me if you're interested. Thanks.
Abby1100ny@yahoo.com

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kinny 0 pts

April 20, 2007 2:55 AM

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Boy.. I have the same problem.. The Black Screen of Death.
I like all about this LS443. Will Call Kodak tomoorow for help.

Thx..

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vin 0 pts

July 9, 2007 12:20 PM

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This black screen problem just happened to my LS443 yesterday. Did a google and found this site. I've had camera just over four years (got in in May '03 and problem occurred in July '07). I am able to view menus and review pictures that are already on the memory card so it is not the display. Tried taking pictures using view finder since screen is black and pictures are black, also. So must be some kind of image sensor problem as someone else suggested.

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JohnnyDingo 0 pts

July 26, 2007 6:40 PM

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Long story short...Used my LS443 the afternoon of 07/24/07, tried to use it again that evening and got the "Black Screen".

After searching the internet and reading a *LARGE* number of posts from people with the same problem, I followed Ron Baird of Eastman Kodak Company suggestion in his post asking people to call the 800 number and help would be given...NOT!!!

The woman I spoke to said it can't be fixed BUT I could upgrade and get 15% off another Kodak camera with the trade in of my LS443.

So...Kodak gets my old LS443 which I'm SURE they'll fix and sell somewhere as "Refurbished", I get to buy another Kodak, but only from their website where they dictate price, and we'll just forget the original $450.00 purchase price of the LS443! I never signed up for a LEASE!

Last Kodak product I'll ever own!

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Jeremy 1 pts

August 9, 2007 11:23 PM

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I'm having the same black screen when taking or reviewing pictures. All the menus and the flash still works, but when I force the shutter speed to open for a longer period and view the shutter under a strong light the aperture never opens/closes. When I perform the same experiment with a functioning camera, the aperture is obviusly visable. Is this a stuck shutter?

I have seen so many of these reviews i think that I will send my complaints to lawers @
http://www.lieffcabraser.com/kodak-easyshare.htm
who are looking into a class action law suiet and are requesting complaints.

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Hiram 0 pts

August 12, 2007 5:35 AM

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I also have a LS443 black screen problem, however Kodak refuses to repair.
I have packed it away hoping that one day someone can repair it.
Meanwhile Kodak products are on my black list and have purchased a Canon S3IS that is doing a great job.

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Pauline 0 pts

September 12, 2007 9:52 PM

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Very informative. I, too, have one of these cameras and it just started taking black pictures and the lens froze outward. I called Kodak who said there were no repairs and I could purchase another camera from them at 15% off and return my camera to them. What a deal!! I don't think so.

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Matt 0 pts

September 16, 2007 2:27 AM

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I also have an LS443 that started taking black pictures a month ago. Same story from Kodak that everyone else is getting. I now have a very expensive paper weight. I will NEVER buy Kodak again! In fact I just bought a Canon digital camera. Goodbye Kodak. More websites like this and you can go out of business.

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Rich 0 pts

September 18, 2007 6:05 PM

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I just got back from Europe where my LS443 started acting funny. Well it's not funny out of 96 photos I got 14 good ones and the rest are black. This camera is 4 years old but has sent 3.75 years doing nothing. Shame on Kodak for selling this piece of crap.

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Bob 0 pts

October 6, 2007 2:58 PM

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O.K., so no one seems to have a fix for this problem. Is there a technician that will help us? I am fairly capable with tools and would like to fix this problem, it can't be that bad.

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Sonny 0 pts

October 25, 2007 6:32 PM

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Guess what? I had the same problem with the LS 443 about 1 month after warranty ended. Kodak replaced it for $ 35.00. This was about three years ago. Guess what again? The same thing has happened, again. I think that Kodak has a nice racket going here. I found a remedy. I just bought a Canon and I warn all of my friend about the Kodak line of cameras. DO NOT PURCHASE FROM KODAK. Then guess what will happen? Their big boys will feel the pinch. BOYCOTT KODAK UNTIL THEY AGREE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM.

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Charles 0 pts

November 2, 2007 11:52 AM

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Same black screen problem on Kodak LS443. Everything else seems to work fine. Reinstalled latest firmware (1.03) but still no pic.

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Mike 9 pts

December 5, 2007 8:14 PM

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My wife's ls443 malfuctioned about a month ago and since winter is apond us here in the east coast, I decided to dissasemble it and have a look. I have repair experience on other electronic items but never worked on a digital camera before. Several hours later I found the problem, a broken circuit on the ribbon connector feeding the shutter and auto focus. Failure in the shutter circuit causes a no picture taken, or black and in the auto focus, a stuck lens which causes the gear box to overload and strip out gears. Knowing this I purschased 2 other cameras that did not work from sellers on ebay, Same problem. Bought the 3rd camera from ebay and got lucky it only had a bad gear in the optics tube, the long one. To make a long story short my wife's $475.00 camera is fixed. Ribbon cable is formed into a tight (S) configuration going up and down every time you turn it on. Just a matter of time before death occurs. One more thing , Kodak only lubed certain areas with white grease. continued operation of plastic rubbing against each other causes friction and then stuck lens mechanism and strip gears so I lubed the optic tube parts with 30w silicon oil, very lightly. You can hardly hear the optics coming out now, smooth. Repair of this camera is expensive due to what has to be done to repair it, labor intensive. Some parts can be purchased for this camera. Check out "Kelly camera" in Arizona

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kb 25 pts

December 12, 2007 2:47 AM

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My brand one year old sony 10 megapixel has a black screen. So Kodak is not alone

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Peter 0 pts

December 20, 2007 7:44 PM

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My kodak dx4530 has the same black screen - anyone else out there experience the problem with this camera?

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Mike 9 pts

December 21, 2007 10:03 AM

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More likely the ribbon flex cable is broken on the shutter coils. This is a common failure of kodak cameras. It could also be a bad solder joint in this area also.

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Letitia G. Vaughan 0 pts

March 1, 2008 7:36 PM

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Just want to add my tale of woe. I was on the beach and all my lovely pictures came back with a black screen. Thanks, Kodak. I love a $450 LS443 that just goes bad for no apparent fault of mine.

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Mike B. 0 pts

April 8, 2008 12:34 PM

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Mine just went out too, just went and bought a new memory card for it too! :(

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jomo 0 pts

May 20, 2008 7:09 AM

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Hi all, my canon ixus ii gave up after 3 years of good service, it seems that black screens are not limited to kodak

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Flora Pulfey 0 pts

May 27, 2008 9:42 AM

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My camera has also come up with a black screen with a picture of a garbage can and the word SHARE. Anyone know what this means...? Camera is LS443 bought for Christmas 2002.

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Amy Vaughan Hater Of Kodak!! 0 pts

June 8, 2008 2:14 PM

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I have been impressed with this camera, until the black screen of DEATH!!!! I bought it from Dell with my computer in 2003. I have taken thousands of pictures with it. I will never buy Kodak again!! I am leaning toward a Nikon or Canon@!

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Flora Pulfey 0 pts

June 8, 2008 2:40 PM

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I am very disappointed with my LS443 Kodak Easy Share digital camera. It has been on the dock more than used. Even after 5 years, I figure this camera should have lasted long. I have an old box camera that still works...Since there is no repair on this camera and it cost $500.00 there should be some compensation from Kodak if the company wants repeat buyers.
Flora Pulfrey

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Bridget Harrold 0 pts

June 23, 2008 5:57 PM

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my kodak has given up the ghost after one year...same old story .very dissapointing

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Clifford Silver 0 pts

July 10, 2008 7:58 AM

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Just got the black screen of death on vacation on my dx4530. Not happy as we're on vacation and no time for camera shopping. This stinks. Camera is 4 years old, but shouldn't die.

Any recommendations for a new, more reliable camera? Maybe I can shoot out quickly to buy one. Thanks!

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kinny 0 pts

July 10, 2008 8:36 PM

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Guys.. we need to file a class action on this..

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Bruce 0 pts

July 19, 2008 12:17 AM

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Also struck by the black screen of death plague. Now, it keeps telling me my memory chip I bought is on lock, and it isnt! It's like this camera has been designed to implode after four years. Hmmmm! Time to upgrade to something other than Kodak I say!

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Mike B 0 pts

October 15, 2008 6:26 AM

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Hi

I have a KODAK EASYSHARE P712, Great Camera, until last night, (The Black Screen of death), the same as being described, obviously a common problem, i am switching to Canon.

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Wayne T. 0 pts

November 9, 2008 11:25 AM

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Add one more to the "black screen of death" list. All icons and menu come up on the LCD. Thought the red light was a battery issue. After wasting 20.00 on a new battery, I still have the same problem as everyone else. Kodak has really blown it this time. Only other complaint is over/under exposure problems even after making adjustments in the menu settings. Since it is my first digital camera, I thought it was just an average problem for new technology. If it weren't for loving the features, I would go back to my Minolta XG1. Any suggestions for a new digital?.....Nikon?

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Pravin 0 pts

November 12, 2008 10:10 AM

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black screen on my kodak dx4530 after 4 years of use.It happened all of a sudden while i was taking pics; tried formatting memory and played with menu options - no luck; I am in India and will check out if this can be repaired.

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jay 0 pts

November 20, 2008 12:20 PM

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two days i realized that my camera had been affected by the black screen of death! So disappointing since I really liked my kodak. after reading the posts here, i probably will never buy a kodak camera again. they should be able to compensate more for the camera dying like this. very disappointed with kodak right now.

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rob 0 pts

December 30, 2008 6:53 PM

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got the screen fixed once by Kodak 3 years a ago, now the lens gears have gone, contacted Kodak and they told me to take it jessops uk !!

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Flavi 0 pts

December 30, 2008 11:40 PM

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My dx4530 was hit with this black screen of death. Anybody knows a repair? or is there a fix or recall of items experiencing this? did the class action lawsuit finished or has been settled?

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bezzi44 0 pts

January 27, 2009 1:29 PM

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I have a Kodak C875 and got the black screen of death right after delivering my baby girl. Perfect timing! Just over 2 years after having the camera as well. I've noticed a trend after doing internet research. I loved the camera. Had no issues until now.memory

It also did something to my SD card where it wont load up on my laptop now.

We bought a Nikon as a replacement. Less than getting a camera repaired. Even though you KNOW Kodak knows exactly what is wrong. =(

It's a scam so you'll update your camera.

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Jeff 26 pts

February 3, 2009 6:30 PM

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I had the lens retraction problems with my LS443 a few years ago. I called Kodak and got the same schpeil about "it'll cost $115 minimum to have it repaired or you can send it in for credit on another Kodak product". I opted to accept the fact that the lens would be stuck in the out position forever. Then one day the lens retracted on its own and has worked fine for the last couple years. But during a hunting trip this past December I started intermittently getting the black screen of death. I called Kodak and they are clueless. By listening closely, however, I have decided the problem is most likely the shutter. When the Kodak started giving me more problems I bought a new Canon XSi. I've been wanting a DSLR for a few years anyways. To hell with Kodak, I'm going to tear into the LS443 myself and if I can't fix it, who cares? I got my Canon. But it being an expensive camera, I'll be wanting a replacement point and shoot. Canon makes those, too...as do a dozen other manufacturers. Bye Kodak!!!!

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Judy 0 pts

February 24, 2009 10:57 PM

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My LS443 quit working on Xmas Eve. Thanks, Kodak. It was the first time I deleted all the pictures instead of just one at a time. Had this camera for several years. Took great pics and worked well until the black screen of death. Now the counter is off, there is no pre-view and no review mode. It also seems stuck in share mode. I changed the battery and the memory card. No luck with that. I just needed validation. Time to buy a new one and not a Kodak again. I too expected not to have to toss this. It's shameful that even Kodak can't help.

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venus28976 0 pts

March 13, 2009 4:36 PM

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My Kodak dx4530 just got this evil black screen everyone is talking about. I've had the camera for 4 or 5 yrs now and taken 1000s of pics on it. I took a pic, it looked great, turn the camera off, capped the lense, set it down and 5 minutes later when i reached for it to take another pic the display screen was black and the pics it took were black. however i can review previous pics, see all teh menus and the black pics i took show the date and time stamp on them. i'm guessing it is something wrong with the lense..either aperature or the inner lense cap not opening. Has anyone come up with a fix? i don't have the money to buy a new camera and need it for my business. i loved this camera and am really upset about this right now!

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Jeff 26 pts

March 13, 2009 8:54 PM

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An update to my February 3rd posting:

I took the LS443 apart to try and see if it was indeed the shutter that was the problem. Another guy said he bought inoperable cameras on e-Bay and repaired his camera with parts from those. I don't know how he did it. As I worked deeper into the camera I noticed that accessibility to the interior for potential future repairs wasn't engineered into the device. After a half-hour it was with a combination of disgust and satisfaction that I rather unceremoniously dumped my disemboweled LS443 and its asundry innards into the trash.

Note: I took the $1000+ plunge on a Canon XSi with 2 Canon EF-S lenses and a Canon external flash unit from B&H Photo BEFORE I opened my LS443...and I couldn't be more pleased. Sure I spent a more than I would have on another point and shoot, but the kind of point and shoot I was looking for will run close to or upwards of 500 anyways. And I was ready to go beyond point and shoot. And another unforeseen bonus is this - after I backed up all my photos and uninstalled Kodak's Easyshare software from my computer, my computer starts up and runs faster.

Dump Kodak, go DSLR. Or if DLSR is beyond your interest level and/or budget, All of your manufacturers have decent 10+ MP point and shoots for under 200 bucks. Nikon, Pentax, and Olympus have great point and shoots for under 300 (the Pentax and Olympus being waterproof to depths of 13 and 33 feet, respectively). Panasonic, Nikon, Sony and Canon have some excellent, high end point and shoots in the 300 to 500 dollar range.

Kodak can kiss my.................

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bezzi44 0 pts

March 16, 2009 10:05 AM

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I ditched the Kodak and ended up buying the Nikon CoolpixL18 for under $100. Not as easy to use as the Kodak but it works!

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Andy 0 pts

May 10, 2009 9:15 PM

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I'm having the same black screen problem here as everyone else. I liked this camera for several years but my next camera will not be a Kodak.

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Cliff 1 pts

May 28, 2009 12:49 PM

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I have a Kodak Z612 with a similar problem. I don't know if this has been suggested but my solution is to turn the dial to Favorites then back to Auto mode. This seems to reset the shutter/CCD. Hopefully this solution works for your camera too.

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David 0 pts

July 8, 2009 8:48 PM

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Well, I think we are going to need a bigger boat! This sucks, from what I have read, it looks like Kodak knew this was going to be a problem an had no way to fix it. If you have ever looked inside one of these, Kodak designed these as "disposable" cameras. You bad Kodak.

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Dana 0 pts

September 2, 2009 10:41 PM

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It's not just Kodak! Apparently it can happen to a Canon Powershot S230 digital elf that I paid $200 for a few years ago. It was mildly used, I have only been able to take 15 pictures or so all this time, I finally went out and bought a new memory card for it expecting to start taking more pictures or videos and bam, black screen! I am crushed! I googled the problem only to find this site and seeing how it has happened to many other people. It probably happens to all digital cameras! Just another example of our "disposable society" because it would obviously cost alot to repair it or you could spend the same amount or less on a new one. SO, the old one goes in the trash!

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Chris Colborne 0 pts

November 11, 2009 1:25 PM

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Endemic to any manufacturer! Kodak listed widely here - but maybe because this site happens to come top for people who Google "Kodak black screen"?
Ebay is crammed with faulty digital cameras of all types with black screens. Buy one to try to repair it at your peril!
One or two here sound like software issues (Stuck with one message on screen) and maybe they can be given a 'hard reset' by removing all batteries (including internal clock battery) and formatting memory cards outside the camera then starting again.
Some faults appear to be the screen itself (no menus or other indicators at all) while others appear to have a problem with the CCD or electronics (some things on teh display - just no picture and nothing saved). Sadly I have two very different Canon cameras (Ixus II 2 and A70) which fall into the later category. They're pretty fiendish to get into - not for the ununitiated and quite a challenge for a techie like me. Big prize to whoever discovers the root causes - but there are probably a lot of different ones. and will vary for different makes/models. C,'^(

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Black screen when picture is taken LS 443

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