Unbiased digital camera reviews, advice, and prices
  • Sorry, the guide you were looking for is no longer available. Here's a list of our current guides and editorial roundups.
Note: this camera was first sold in Jan 2008. There may be newer versions available.
Nikon Coolpix L18
Nikon Coolpix L18
B-
HQ Grade: B-
A is outstanding and exceptional, rated in the top 10% of digital cameras.
B means they are good, with some standout features.
C means they are mediocre, and probably more trouble than they are worth.
D & F mean they are absolutely awful or old. Avoid at all costs.
  • 4 out of 5
"Simplicity"
  • 4 out of 5
"good but"
See rating based on 339 user reviews
Submit your own Nikon L18 review!
This camera is ranked
Ask

Have a question about the L18?
Enter it here: (You can enter more details in the next step)

Back to List
Question Answered!
Rebecca French (rebeccafrench24) 0 pts
February 16, 2009 5:54 AM
0 people rated this question helpful, 1 people rated this question not helpful Subscribe for Email Updates for this Question

lens is jammed? after the battery died, the lens did not go back in. now the camera makes a clicking sound when i turn it on. it says lens error.

Report Abuse Did you find this question helpful or not helpful?
Answers This question has been answered!
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
February 16, 2009 9:54 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 1 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Try cycling the camera on/off several times to see if the lens will work it's way back into the camera. But do. not. force. it. Try to reset the camera. This is a fairly easy procedure which involves either going into your setup menu and choosing "reset" (or intialize), holding down the menu key for 5 seconds, or, removing the batteries for a few minutes. It may be that the firmware loading got corrupted and the camera just needs to be "rebooted," which is something that turning it on/off won't accomplish. But after which, you should have the camera reset to factory default settings.

Another tip is to go to Nikon's website and look for firmware updates. Download and install them. If none of that works, then you may need to send it in for repair.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
Aditya D (Adhere) 7462 pts
February 22, 2009 11:24 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
Your first and best option is to send it in for repairs under warranty, or to get it repaired at a reputable repair shop, including Nikon's own. But for the price of the camera, I think you'll end up paying more than the camera is worth to get it repaired, so you may want to try the do it yourself option. Of course, this is only as a last resort, because you don't want to damage the camera further and have no choice but to replace it. All warnings in place, try the tips at this site: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html . But, be careful, and try them at your own risk.
Best Answer
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
February 23, 2009 11:36 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
The site suggests as one of it's options to force the lens. This is a dangerous suggestion, quite honestly. I used to suggest this as a last resort, but the fact is you do more harm since you could easily strip the lens rails and make matters worse. But I do like the idea of using the cable to connect to it in order to keep the LCD off to devote more power to the startup. That's a pretty good suggestion.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
ericbase 0 pts
April 14, 2009 1:05 AM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
same as mine. jammed after battery got exhausted. the lens pushed forcefully inside my bag without me knowing it. i tried to repair it my self considering the cost maybe more expensive than the cam itself. i found out that the 2 of 3 needles that run thru the groove inside the zoom barrel got missaligned that causes lens error/jamming. hope this could help you.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?
by James DeRuvo (byjamesderuvo) 58449 pts
April 14, 2009 4:29 PM
0 people rated this answer helpful, 0 people rated this answer not helpful
 
I would say at this point your only choice is to send it in for repair. But understand that without warranty coverage the average cost of a camera repair is around $180. As such, 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.
Report Abuse Did you find this answer helpful or not helpful?

This Question is Answered. If you have further information you may add it here.

Need to add formatting or links? Use BBCode.
Spell-check
Start Here!
Most Popular
  1. Panasonic FZ35
  2. Canon SD1200 IS
  3. Canon 500D
  4. Canon A1000 IS
  5. Canon SX20 IS
  6. Panasonic FS15
  7. Samsung SL30
  8. Canon 50D
  9. Nikon D90
  10. Canon SX120
Camera Brand
Price Range
Camera Type
Camera Line
Megapixels
Hands-On Reviews
Latest Cameras
Top Searches
Our Other Sites

Close
Loading