Sturdy, dependable, durable, for 2003 this was the state of the art. The only thing I can complain about this camera is that it had some wait time before you could take a picture. I know we shot well over 6000 photos and 1000 videos with this camera in the 6 years we owned it. If this is the way Kodak makes cameras then I'm buying another. I was pondering buying a new camera last year but it lasted to the end of this year. I'm going shopping for another Kodak.

I like this camera, but it failed recently and I am unable to take any pictures; as all that is captured is a "black screen" when you shoot a picture. I called Kodak and and was unable to speak to anybody who works for Kodak, as I ended up talking to a call centre in Manilla..big help...in the end here is what they had to say.."Kodak no longer supports that model of camera". I am the proud owner of a new Canon Powershot SC 1200 IS.........love it!!

I love this camera. Have had no trouble until last year. Turned it on and lens came out, but screen showed error #E45 and would not operate at all. Found nothing in book, so called Kodak. Was told camera was no longer made and the error code showed it to be non-repairable. I was just sick because this camera took really great photos. They told me I could send it back to them and they would discount another camera $15.00 if I bought one on-line. When I purchased this camera and extra 256mb sd card, it was about $600.00 then. So, I have done nothing and still haven't gotten another camera. I really liked this good, easy to use camera. Seems like they would give a little bit more incentive to you for another Kodak purchase. Yes??

I have sent my LS443 in for repair once before for the E45 error. It has just died with the same error today. I am sure it will cost more to repair it than I am willing to spend. I will probably have to buy a new camera.

This camera worked O.K. until the black screen of death appeared while taking some pictures. Kodaks answer is "We no longer support the camera but will sell you an upgrade for 15% discount plus shipping and handling. This is obviously a defect they were aware of and did not step up to the plate and let their customers know in advance so many folks missed special picture opportunities. What a crummy way for a company to do their customers!I will never think of Kodak as a class company again. Buyer beware!!!

At a price of $400, expected better of a company to fix an obvious defect in this product that miracuously gives you a black screen after 2 years. Have seen many posts with the same problem and the only solution Kodak offers is to have you spend more money on an upgrade. Yeah right - fool me once - but don't try it again. Will never purchase another Kodak product

I have had the LS443 for 3 years then I get the black screen
I can see the pictures on the card, I can read the menu and
the lens comes out and back in, if I take a picture it comes
out black on the card, so I guess its time to say good by to
the camers and Kodak. so now when Am in a store ans see
others looking at Kodak cameras I tell them not to buy it

Last Kodak I will buy. Cannot believe what a piece of junk this turned out to be. Took very good care of this camera, but one day the black screen of death decided to appear.
Thanks Kodak!

This camera took a lot of good pictures for 6 years. Now, I've got the "black screen of death". I would have expected more out of a $400 camera.

Really liked the camera, it did the job I purchased it for, but after paying $532.25 for it I EXPECT the product to last. This camera has NEVER been abused, was always reliable, ready to go and easy to use. Just be aware that this is just a "throw-away" camera and it looks like (based on other comments) that my camera did about average before the $.05 part failed that Kodak refused to repair. Last Kodak I'll ever own.

I got about 4 years out of my LS443. I am not going to whine about the "black screen of death" although I would like to think that a $ 300 + camera would give a user more longevity. Their only fix was to offer me an outdated camera at a supposedly good price. I have purchased a Canon SD1000 at about the same price that I spent on the Kodak and it does an excellent job. Hopefully this will have better service life. My plan now is to NEVER buy another Kodak product EVER. That's the most effective way that I can thank Kodak for producing a hunk of junk, and not owning up to it!

The camera never did work at my level of expectations. It took fair pictures most of the time, but I was very disappointed when it failed and was told, by Kodak, "NO REPAIR OFFERED". This was a 4-year-old camera that I paid $400 for. The person at Kodak, when I did reach a human, said just go buy a new one.!! Maybe $400 dollars is not a lot to Kodak, but it is to me!! I can tell you my replacement camera will not be a Kodak, and I would believe others would also beware!! I have viewed many listing on the Internet and my problem is the same as many, many others. Why will Kodak not take ownership of this problem that is not an isolated problem to a few, but a problem for many?? I guess big Kodak maybe just doesn't care about the buyers of there products. I can assure all I will no longer purchase a Kodak product!!!!

I loved the camera in the summer of '03, got to over exposer in spring of '06, and the "Black Screen 'o Death" summer of '06. Kodak offered to take the camera in trade for a refurbished higher priced camera, but wanted $150.00 more besides the camera! What happened to customer service? I feel like I got customer disservice! Bought a cheap Polaroid to get by, but I think I'll spend more money and get a Pentax SLR digital that I can use my Pentax 35mm. lens with. Learned about 'bargain' equipment!! Reverend Bill

Camera had to be repaired in first weeks at my expense and now does not work at all, the dreaded E45 code,after having pending breakdowns for months. Never would believe Kodak would be the wrong choice.

I bought this camera after saving for 6 months and it cost me over $300. I have a wife and 4 kids and wanted what I thought was a quality camera from a quality company. Boy was I wrong! I sent the camera back for repair E45 Lens, of course, they tore off the serial number sticker and put it on another and sent it back with a different broken Item on it. They supposedly fixed it, then in a few months later another E45 with the lense again!! When I sent it back again they said I had taken 8000 shot in 14 months. They switched cameras on me! Gave me someone elses and broken to boot! All they did was give me the run around, offered me to buy another camera and that was supposed to be a deal? 6 months savings, a wife and 4 children with no memories other than a company that cheated a customer and will not stand behind their product....Shame on Kodak for poor customer service and not standing behind their product,,,shame on Kodak for ripping honest people off...stay away from this company!

I loved Ls443 when it was working. Simple point and shoot—great for snap shots. When camera was new sometimes had difficulty focusing close up. No major problem so didn't think much about it. Near the end of about 4-years some pictures were out of focus. Paid $20 dollars for new battery, but no help. Then camera just stopped focusing. Press the focus/shoot buttion and focus red light come on and not picture. Email Kodak. They said try their trouble shooter, only to find out they will not repair. $500 is a little too much for 4 years use of a camera. I am now shopping. Does anyone know of a company that stands behink its product, please?

e 45 error the lens is stuck and cannot retract! i need help FAST

The most irritating thing about this camera is E45. I got that fed up of it that eventually I took the lens apart, yep, took it right off the camera body to see why it was getting stuck on the way back in. The problem? - A design flaw. Theres a spiggot that it apparently needs on the external lens casing to hold it in place once the focussing has been achieved. At some point, the spiggot didn't retract fully and hence the lens got caught during a retraction cycle, from which it never recovered. I am glad I took it apart as I learned something valuable: Don't buy a digital camera unless you check first that it hasn't got any crap feedback, this small design flaw spoils what was otherwise a fantastic bit of kit, for what it is, it is flawed.

first i had the C330. lasted 15 months before lens error appeared. bought the C433, lasted 2 months to the day! before lens error appeared. held the lens cover open while turning it on (as advised in a 2006 review) and it functions again. don't know how long it's gonna last so i'm shopping for a new camera. NOT kodak. yeah, they take good pictures. yeah, they're very user-friendly. but who wants to pay a high price for what's basically become a 'disposable' camera?

I know nothing last forever, but when you pay $350 for something you expect it to work. Recently the camera started turning itself off when I turn it on. Tried a new battery, taking the battery out and just running off the docking station, nothing has worked and Kodak will not even fix their own product (HINT). I have found numerous articles about consumers having problems with Kodak cameras and service support. If you are in the market for a camera do your research first. Try finding reviews or problems with a specific camera or manufacture.

I had read about the black death and yes at exactly four years old it visited my LS443, I suppose I am lucky in that it lasted this long. I loved this camera and it deserved a 5 star rating until it prematurely ended up in the rubbish bin. Oh how I long for the days of my Olympus OM10 and 35mm film.

It happened to me and yet I looked after the camera so well, will not by Kodak again

This camera worked fine and i liked it,,,that was until today when i tried to use it and the lcd screen was black. The camera turns on fine and appears to function normal except that it does not actually take pictures.
A quick Google search has revealed that this is a common problem with this model and Kodak is not interested to do anything to acknowledge or fix the problem. Thanks Kodak.

How many lens errors can 1 camera have?????? Several of my family members purchased kodak easy shares due to the wonderful quality of the photos after my newphew got married. We were very impressed with the printer dock and photos. He got married and we came home with photos that day. But no good when you cant use it due to lens errors. We are all having the same problems with our camera. Kodak is a reputable household name, but they should help us that trust that name and make it good. A recall should be done due to the lens errors

after very little use camera froze up e 45 code showed on screen

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 their reputation in photography,
In fact I have a shelf full of kodak cameras some 100 years old and still work, There is a law firm that is considering a class action law suit against Kodak concerning this problem and are asking for experiences/complaints regarding this camera, I have read the chinese are also filing one if you had the same problems and are frustrated like me I posted the link below. Best Regards Ken
www.lieffcabraser.com/kodak-easyshare.htm

Had the same error code typed into google search, found this page. Dropped from a good height with lots of pleasure, and bingo camera works again, AMAZING. Kodak Krap

We received this camera as a "throw-away" from a relative and since we had no digital camera at all, we thought great, we'll just hunt down the dock, cables, battery, memory card, etc. and be able to have a cool little camera! Wrong! Before we were even able to use the thing, the E45 error code came up and I see from all of the reviews, that this is a common occurrence. Kodak sincerely should make this right but I guess since this particular model of EasyShare is no longer manufactured, we can all go jump. Amazing to me that they want $150 to either repair or upgrade to a "refurbished" newer model. Nothing ventured nothing gained, however, so I'm still trying to figure out how to correct this problem and have even dropped it on the floor as some have suggested, ha! Didn't work. We're in the process now of taking it apart to see what can be accomplished by viewing the interior mechanisms. Not hopeful, though. Thanks all of you for all of your helpful reviews and suggestions. Kodak should be ashamed and I agree that the class action suit is a terrific idea.

2 years, rarely used, add me to the dissatified Error #45 users, I have been dropping it all morning, but no help...since it is effectively worthless, I'll just keep dropping it until my new HP camera comes.

WEll, this camera has been a gem for the last 3yrs....we bought the last one, off the display, a little battered then, it has worked perfect until TODAY....Christmas.....The dreaded E45=Error!!!!....Since reading ALL of the reviews, and was disappointed about the response from KODAK, I have decided to cut my losses....(I did throw the camera, a few times, to no avail)....So I guess it's no pictures for X-mas....and a purcase of a new NON-Kodak camera.....What a Christmas Bummer.....
DO NOT BUY THIS CAMERA...from ANYWHERE!!!

My camera worked fantastic until the bad design that everybody else talks about happened to me. The location of the dial is horrible. Just slipping this camera into a case often causes the camera to turn on...then the lens tries to open in the case. Now I have to tap the camera on my hand and pull out the lens whenever I turn the thing on. After seeing all the other reviews out there, I'm not buying a Kodak anymore. I'll give them credit though...they now have their dial on the top.

Camera worked GREAT for the first few months after that the camera's lens would not open and when it did picture quality was terrible. Kodak warranty service is terrible. I sent the camera in 3 times for repair and they lost the camera for 2 weeks( it was sitting on someones desk) when I received it back , same problem.( I don't think they ever opened the box, just sent it back) Finally after many phone calls and running to the post office they sent me a new camera which is worth nothing compared to what I paid for this Ls443. I am very disappointed.

I bought this camera for over $500. I loved it for about 6 months until the lens decided to quit coming out. called Kodak and there responce was to replace it with a different camera which the would sell me at full price. I decided to by another ls443 off ebay for $60 thinking mine was just a lemon. It lasted 2 months then gave me the same problem with a E45 error message. these cameras are total junk and kodak does not care about its customers

I received this camera as a gift. Since the day we got it, purchased from Best Buy, it has been a nightmare. The automatic lens covers got stuck on day one. I sent it back to Kodak (because Best Buy said they weren't responsible), and it was supposedly fixed. I have used this camera twice and now I am recieving the E45 Error. I tried dropping it several times and that has not fixed it. The lens cover is just stuck... Needless to say, the software would not download on to our computer either and it was a nightmare trying to reach Kodak to get technical assitance. This camera is an absolute piece of garbage. I would steer clear of purchasing any Kodak products in the future. I have heard good things about Canon, I have a three yr old printer from Canon and called them the other day and tech support was amazing...

After my 2 year old ls443 gave out like this, I googled the error code and found that it it a jam of the lens mechanisim, which kodak can fix easily but would rather take your $150.

I figured that i woud rather buy a newer camera anyways so i just grasped the inside of the lens edge and switched the dial to on, while firmly pulling on the lens. It finnally popped and shot out and has been fine ever since. Warning; this could also break the camera worse so dont hold me resposible.

My LS743 had randomly developed the frustrating error code 45 problem and so I typed the information into the google search bar and found this site. I read the revies from Deborah below, and dropped my camera quite gently onto the floor - hey presto, it now works and the error code has gone! as deborah also says, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this; but it seems like maybe something jams in the lens retraction mechanism that just needs a jolt to un-jam it?! I think it is ridiculous that kodak display an error code with no explanation anywhere of what the code means - very unfair practice, and surprising from such an established brand.

So, here I am and trying to read up on the error code E45 and reading that throwing it might work. I was thinking about upgrading and got the dreaded message that quickly turns to a dark screen, and with nothing to lose, I dropped the camera onto my desk and PRESTO!, it has fixed itself! :D Can't recommend it, but who knew it could work...

This camera worked O.K. until the black screen of death appeared while taking some pictures. Kodaks answer is "We no longer support the camera but will sell you an upgrade for $150.00 plus shipping and handling or try and repair it for the same money". This is obviuosly a defect they were aware of and did not step up to the plate and let their customers know in advance so many folks missed special picture opportunities. What a crummy way for a company to do their customers!I will never think of Kodak as a class company again. Buyer beware!!!

My dad got the E45 problem on his Kodak. After reading all reviews and camera shop giving up on it,my mum,before throwing it in the dustbin threw it hard onto the floor (just to see!) Guess what? It now works perfectly. Lens goes in and out and NO E45 error!!! Can't recommend this method to everyone though!!

I can believe that kodak made such a piece of junk, I bought my ls443 because I trusted in Kodak brand, Now my recommendation is NOT TO BUY any Kodak anymore.

I purchased the camera from a vendor on E-bay.

It worked fine for around 7 months and pictures were good. Then the lens got stuck. All you get is error message E45 and the camera is practically dead.

I did a research on the internet and there are scores of users who has experienced the same problem.

It is a shame that a reputed manufacturer has designed such a substandard item.

Well, I really liked this camera (a Christmas presnet from my wife), and the software too. Sadly, it now has the dreaded E45. I pulled it out of my camera case where it had been since the last use, and the lens came out but then got an E43. That changed to an E45 after the lens got moved manually.

2 years ago it had the problem where you had to help the lens rotate in one direction when it extended or if you tried to use telephoto. Got tired of that and Kodak fixed it for just $35 AND upgraded the rotary switch with the little button to prevent accidental power-ons. I was happy then!

Now they want $150 to fix it or to buy a V700 - either way it looks like no camera here for Xmas.

had it a couple years its now broke again. error code e45. lens wont go back in , wont take pics AGAIN. i am not sending it in with the minimum 100 repair cost

Well, I have embarrassed myself (again). I posted a question about why my Kodak LS443 ended up with the 'Black Screen'. Then, I went on to read some of the users' reviews of the camers. LOL - it's like posting a question asking were there WMDs in you-know-where! I have found myself in another one of those brotherhoods, much like the one I belonged to in the days of the X-Cars. (had one of those, too!). Thanks for all the commiseration. Looks like we've all been duped. Has anyone posted this information on an ebay forum? People are still bidding on these duds and paying good money. Someone should tell them.
Phil

I have had my camera for four years and it has worked wonderfully in the past. That being said, the camera has turned into a piece of TRASH!! I take excellent care of the camera (it still has the factory attached stickers and clear covers from four years ago). I was at a once and a lifetime event and it went black and the lens would not work. The extended warranty had (1) week left. I sent it in to be repaired. Got it back and had it 2 weeks and it did the same thing again on Christmas Eve. Sent it back in again. Have had it back for approximately 4 months and used it 6 times, now it has the E45 error. I will never buy Kodak again. I sure wish there was a class action lawsuit for all the trouble and grief this camera has caused me, not to mention the memorable events I will have no record of.

I loved this camera. Received many complements with the pictures the camera has taken. While taking a picture one day I got a E-45 on the lcd screen. I have NEVER dropped, gotten wet or damaged the camera in any way. Spoke with Kodak, $150 just to look at it. I Believe with all the reviews here Kodak has a defect somewhere here. Noone in my area works on Kodak, have to go back to the dealer. GOOD FOR THE COMPANY "ONLY" Has anyopne had any luck fixing the problem?

Ok, well I was hoping to find some assistance in trouble shooting the E45 error message however, after reading the above comments looks like I am in the same unfortunate situation. I was taking pics today with my son, the camera did not get wet or dropped and out of no where came the error. I contacted Kodak via email and was told it would be $80 for repair. No way, I will just buy one that IS NOT KODAK!

I hardly ever used my camera and it gave me the E 45 message. Think I will stick to diposables or 35 mm

This camera over night went blind Kodak product is junk

Eureka!!! I cured my LS443 from the grave. Since it was worth nothing at this point, I decided to take her apart and see if perhaps there was something I could do to reset it. After removing the front, back, battery door, memory door and forcing the insides out of the inner chasis, I inserted the battery (had to hold it in at this point) and powered on the camera and voila — it works.

What exactly fixed it, I do not know. I tried inserting the battery a couple times during this process with no success, so I guess a full removal may be the cure.

As it is working fine right now, I do not hold my breath on this. I do have to thank KODAK though, for if it weren't for this camera, I would not have replaced it with a superior camera (Canon SD630, love it!!).

Good luck to any and all who may try this as well.

Oh yeah, and keep track of what tiny screw goes where (there's different sized ones). I have 3 left over.

What the? I have pictures on the hard drive, of my Aunt's funeral in NYC, and i can't get to them. This camera was great until it stopped working. I thought it was the fact that i was in anairport with it. I thought it was my fault all along. Now i see this camera wasn't made to last. I remember when i got this. It was a present from my Dad for my Bachelors degree. We're at the Circuit City and they ask him if he wants the warranty. He says "If this camera which i paid $400.00 on breaks i'll just showup at the owner of Circuit City's house and demand my money back." It's too late for that now, but it was a nice moment. I guess i'll just buy a new one someday and wait for the class-action suit against Kodak.

I buyed the LS743 Digital camera on April 24th, 2005. And on June 23th, the camera can not work and E45 error displays in the screen. The camera lens can not draw back. The camara cost me 2099 yuan(I am a Chinese)。I think Kodak should pay for his error. And in China, more than 300 person is accusing Kodar right now. If Kodak refuse to compensat us, we will drive Kodak out from China!

camera quit,an e45.no more kodak for me.

I just bought this camera (Z650) and the very first time that I used the E45 error message came on. Did not get wet, was not dropped, put into a pocket, or anything else...just decided to shut down while I was taking a picture.

I've owned this camera for over 3 years, paying a price of around $500. It was my first and a fine beginner's camera - albeit with an extremely slow and irritating shutter speed, and bad image quality due to compression. It was okay and easy to use - until hell broke loose. -_-

After about a year and a half, I faced the E#45 Problem. The lens mechanism did not work. Right in time for my graduation. The warranty had just passed but Kodak repaired it for free apart from S&H. I had to take pictures with an old Olympus 35mm.

It worked okay for another year and a bit except the lens broke again, and grinded inside the camera refusing to come out. The warranty was over so I did not bother to call Kodak again. I found a way to get the lens in and out by tapping the camera and then turning the lens in a counter or clockwise motion.

This summer during a family vacation the Camera got the black screen. Taking pictures of Parliament, it was fine. Then the screen went black. Nothing wrong with the hardware. I could preview the older pictures and they looked fine. All the new pictures were black. Stupid malfunctional lens.

Called Kodak again. The camera has been discontinued, and refused to repair the camera. However by paying $200, I would receive a newer model in replacement. The Kodak V550... which retails now for only a little bit more than that.

Horrible experience; and now I have no functional camera.

I have had this camera for a month. $400 dollars and now I am getting the E45 error. Have not had a chance to talk with Kodak yet, but by the looks of the reviews I am going to get nowhere. All I have to say is don't use the zoom.

I have had my camera since April 2003 - thank God I purchased the warranty from Circuit City - as I used that warranty - but guess what? Warranty ended April 2006 - we leave for Las Vegas Tuesday and last night my camera gave me the e45 message - my husband took it to the camera shop today to find out that it will cost $175 just for them to look at it. So we are taking that $175 and adding to it to buy a camera that DOES NOT say KODAK on it. Last year the camera broke the day we got to Vegas - and disposables just don't do justice for the scene. I have missed several beautiful pictures because of the quality of this Koday LS443 - but I won't have to worry about Koday again.

The camera took good pictures while it worked. If I put it in my purse or jacket pocket, the camera would turn on too easily. I guess this is what happened last week. I had taken some pictures of my granddaughter and put the camera in my purse. When I got home, the camera was turned on, the lens was open. I turned the camera off and the lens did not retract. When I turned it back on I got the dreaded E45 message. I am sure glad I used a memory card.
Kodak offered to repair or replace my camera with a V series and dock for $150.00. I did not like the camera I was offered and instead purchased a Z650 reconditioned bundle. I have only had it for 2 days and wow. The pictures are so totally different. It's amazing. The LS443 was a birthday gift from my husband. He paid a lot of money for it, and we thought it would last a good long time. After reading all these reviews, I can see that the camera model is a piece of junk. I thought I was doing something wrong, because towards the end of my camera's life, I was getting a lot of damaged pictures.
I hope my new Kodak will perform better than my LS443.

Our LS443 had the black screen problem too. Would seem that nothing much we can do except junking it.
Only consolation is that it did not die while we were on holiday.
Kodak should at least announce what is the cause of the problem.

Well, hmm e-45 consult user guide, whats up? just another bum product and the burden to be carried by the middle class of the good ole USof A. Kodak should have to supply parts for this simple repair.
The camera took great pictures when it worked however so does any other 4 mega pixal camera! Pitch it, Scrap metal prices are high right now thats the only good news! Kodak i am through with you too.

Bought this camera for my wife. Worked great for 3 years, we've taken many many pictures of our daughters. No complaints until today when I found out that the black screen issue it was having was not the fault of our mishandling it, but rather an issue almost everyone has with this model once it hits 3 yrs, give or take. I did my homework, but none of these cameras were experienceing this 3 yrs ago since they weren't that old. Bummer, now my daughter starts Kindergarten in 2 weeks, we'll be getting a new camera and you can guess what brand it won't be.

I thought I had the best camera around until the lens decided not to open. I thought perhaps it was the battery so I ordered a new one via internet. Now I have a camera and battery I can't use. The camera was not cheap - 400.00 three years ago. I have no idea what caused the lens to click for ever while it struggles to open (yet never does open). I am fed up with the disposable technology we tolerate in the US. I fear buying everything now because of the risk of it failing soon after purchase.

Everything works except black image stored on internal and sd card.

I had no idea of the black screen problem until I googled and found this feedback. I experienced this problem a short while ago and have yet to call Kodak on it. I'm very disappointed as we spent $350 in March of '03 on this camera and now it is useless. Up until this point the camera has been great! I guess I'll call and see what line of crap they feed me and I'll update later on it.

I'll keep the USB cord. Black screen. Thought it was my fault but after reading this I know better. My old Olympus rocks.

I had the standard problems (black pictures) , was offered a refurb for $175 or so. For $75 they would fix my problem. Paid it plus shipping. My camera was returned fixed with a fancy new selector switch. 2 weeks later my down function went out. After a few emails they offered the refurb for $175. I told them that i didn't not request they selector switch upgrade that failed. I got a big "too bad". Finally I got the dreaded E45 error. Needless to say, I'm never purchasing another Kodak camera. Stick to film, idiots.

My LS443 performed perfectly and took several hundred pics until last month when I visited the island of Montserrat for a once in a lifetime vacation. The first night there, I went to take a photo of the gorgeous sunset, and the image was a greenish white overexposed mess. I turned the camera on and off, switched from landscape to close up to normal modes, all with no effect. The camera was shot. If I tried taking a zoomed image, it came out black. I couldn't believe I was 2,000 miles from home, on an island that doesn't sell cameras, and I had no back up plan. I reluctantly switched from film to digital with the purchase of this camera and now regret that move. I am going to call Kodak tomorrow but don't expect to receive any help after reading these reviews. I guess it's back to my old Canon 35mm film camera that has never let me down in 20+ years.

I rated this camera terrible because, although it took great pictures when it worked, I would expect that a $400 camera from Koday would last longer than 2 1/2 years. Worked fine one day, black-screen the next. No help from Kodak, just "let us introduce you to our repair-by-upgrade" garbage. I won't buy another Kodak. I bought a Canon PowerShot A520.

Have owned the LS443 for 3 years. Took ok pictures while it worked. The problem is the longevity of this product. You have to treat this camera as if you only took pictures after picking the camera up off a shelf and then putting it back on the same shelf when you're done. How many people do this in the real world?
If the camera comes on while in your pants pocket or in a purse, it will break the lens gears and there is now service or replacement parts for this camera. The camera is now just Junk! Kodak will not stand behind there products and will want to charge you for a refurbished camera. What? Not fix the one you have. This sounds like a marketing ploy and I'm not playing. Don't buy kodak! Do your homework and buy a camera where the company stands behind it.

My camera worked fine until I notice the rocker switch for zoom/wide angle was missing. I was informed that part was unavailable but that I could either have my camera repaired for 175.00 US or buy a refurbished D570 for 175.00

The part in question should cost about 10.00 and should just snap into place. Apparently it was lost taking in out of my camera protective bag.
Bad design = unhappy customer.
No more Kodak products for me

Bought this camera when out in Australia for the WC. The first error came on the great ocean road so missed out on pics of that..Then und it on today to produce the E45 error. Contacted Kodak who advised that they stopped replacing the faulty parts as it was costing them too much. offered me a new modle for ��70 whcih is only a ��25 saving from buying it online. Never buying a Kodak again..

Worked for six months,for a total of 182 pix. Then the shutter stopped working. Since then it has been in a closet. Took it out again today to look at it and it still records big black rectangles on the memory card.
Bought a Panasonic before last Xmas. It is beautiful and in the past couple months has cranked out more that 1300 pix without a hitch.

I got this camara for my birthday from my mom 3 years ago and it has served its duty ok till now. The pix were never very clear but I figured that was because it was a 4mp camara and not some high end 6+mp professional one. Well the quality never was an issue untill now. I just graduated from college and I had my mom take pix of my friends and I. The pix look like crap, a 3 year old child could draw better by hand. The contrast was crap, way way to bright, no color is visable, just the outline of people in a white snow looking enviroment. Thanks Kodak for ruining my graduation pix, my next camara will come from Canon.

My wife is a house wife and saves her monies here and there when she baby sits. She surprise me with the LS443m, which cost her over $400.00 3 years ago. It did a great job until it would start fomatting the sim card after down loading the pictures on its own. I coach Soccer and the day I was going to take team photos and surprise eveyone with their own pictures, the E#45error came. After reading all the problems everyone has had, I guess I am done with this camera. I feel real bad because all the sweat my wife put into getting me this item. It was a very good product while it lasted but I will not purchase a Kodak again and I will make people aware of this site.

Camera worked well until I went to Las Vegas Camera just went out with the 45 message. After reading the reviews I will purchase a diffrent camera.

Lens problem happened after I left the camera in my coat pocket and it tried to turn on. My fault, I realize, but it sounds like no support from Kodak according to other opinions here. Camera took not a high quality picture but I could live with it. Until Now. May have to switch brands if I get a run around from Kodak.

Beware of Kodak products. Another black screen on this camera.

I was hoping not to join the E45 club but here I am. Same sort of offer from Kodak for the upgrade and not as lucky as HAPPY ENDING was.
Will upgrade to the V603 and hope that this doesn't repeat with that one.

e-45 error!!! On vacation taking decent picts and all of a sudden E45error. Not wet, didn't fall, well taken care of. Call kodak and offer me a lame ass refurb camera for $150. I can get the same one new for $179!! I've been a KODAK user for years. Then looked at this web site and got even hotter seeing all of us suckers get duped by KODAK. They know there is a problem-no doubt. Stick it to kodak and never buy their products!! Tell your friends!!

First couple of years it was great, then strange things started happening. First, it decided when to work, sometime it wouldn't acknowledge the card, this started happening more and more frequently. The final straw was while we were on vacation, I would turn it on and it immediately turned itself off. That was it for the camera. I do believe that Kodak should do something for it's customers while it still has them. I am now looking for another camera and you can bet it won't be a Kodak.

The first time it broke, we paid $40 or $50 to Kodak to fix the lens problem. Now a year later, the screen stays black. Never dropped it, got it wet, anything. Camera often "decided on its own" to not allow more pictures into memory card and would only save pics in camera memory. Don't waste your money on this lousy product when other makes are far more reliable.

Don't buy this camera, or any Kodak product for that matter. They don't stand behind it. When I phoned Kodak about my E45 error they offered to repair it or replace the camera for 175.00 (same price for either option)and refused to admit there was a problem with the camera. I'm buying a Canon!

mine died the same black picture death,kodak is Garbage!,made me waste my hard earned dinero

We suffered the E45 lens jam thing after 3 years and little use. Works out at �100 per year. apalling.

What a crime! I am furious. Kodak should recall this product. If anyone knows who to contact to get results please post it. I'm not impressed with the $180 + shipping replacement offer. We all should demand a recall & free replacement. Call 1-800-go kodak and complain.

Worked great for the first nine months and got the lense jam during warranty. Kodak fixed it under warranty and it worked until halfway through our Costa Rica vacation after a little more than two more years. E45 and seeing these feedbacks I'll be heading out to another brand.

Enjoyed using the camera, found camera easy to use but took average photos, found night shots a little on the dark side. The docking station and program was easy to use,u ntil we went on holidays Feb 2006 and the LCD black screen occurred, couldn't take anymore photos. We never got it wet, dropped same or in anyway damaged it, it just quit working. After reading these reports on the same problems and Kodak's response to the problems, it would appear we are out of luck sending it to Kodak for repairs,(or warranty for a major problem). I feel the LS443 has some major problems that Kodak will not stand behind, and we will never recommend their product to anyone.

Great camera while it lasted—same thing-lens stopped working. The biggest problem was that when this happens, it is at the worst possible time and you can't capture the moment. If you get one of these, carry a disposable as a back-up at all times.

we have the black death on our camera ls443 such a shame because it was exactly what we wanted .
if there is a common fault i think kodak should repair it for free warranty or not.

ok seriously...why does this happen? the "black death of cameras" sucks! i'm going to florida in 2 weeks with school and i was going to bring my camera. i go and pick it up to take some pictures before i go, and oh the screen is black. i thought oh great, is this because i dropped it in oct 05 (and got fixed after that). no it couldn't possibly be that. well now i have no camera to document this wonderful trip i am going to have...Kodak should repay me money for my time wasted with this piece of garbage!

Same story as many others. I was at a family gathering when it happened after taking only 4 pictures. Never had any problems before that. I called Kodak and same offer - They do not support or repair the LS443 any longer, but would 'upgrade' it for a small charge. The 'upgrade' turned out to be a Z730 refurbished camera, with a free dock, for $150 plus $10.95 shippint plus local tax. Found the original receipt and thankfully, my wife had purchased a protectio plan on the camera so the place it was bought from is going to look at it and if it can't be repaired, they will give me a 'comparable' new one. If I have to ever buy another one though, it won't be from Kodak.

Good while it lasted. Wouldn't you know mine got the error on the date I had my baby. We have no pictures of the arrival of our daughter.

E45 error ...Devastated to find no repair available.Researched camera as much as possible then phoned Australian head office with my complaint.Told them it was obviously a manufacturing fault and they were ripping customers off by not recalling .Took a while but my persistence paid off.I now have a z7590 plus dock for $35 to replace the dud LS443.I was not going to accept a discontinued model or refurbished camera.It took a while for the result but was well worth the effort.My sympathy to you all.Good luck in your battle!

When your camera breaks down, Usually just after the guarantee runs out, They will not do anything to help although they had only repaired mine 2 months prior, They had the nerve to ask me to pay another �800 to upgrade. There is no way i would ever go back to kodak, They should have called all these Ls443 back in, They all have the same fault.

Well another member of the #E45 ERROR, knew when i was buying it 2nd hand that this might possibly happen and whilst taking a long range pic of a small object (a traffic cone on the top of a tree) my camera whirred in and out a couple of times then went black.... oh well.... next....

Same story as all the rest. The camera works ok for a few years then the lens breaks and the pictures are black. Upon calling Kodak I was informed that they knew about the problem but instead of recalling the camera they chose to let the public down and say "buy another camera from us for a discounted price". DON'T BUT THIS CAMERA, IT WILL BREAK ON YOU TOO!!!

Loved the ease and picture quality of ls443 while it lasted. But, the lens thing occured three times in just over two years. However, Kodak should not be rewarded for not supporting a product that should have been replaced for free. Canon here we come!

Let me join the list of LS443 camera owners who have a stuck (opened)lens. I already paid to have it fixed once and now they tell me they no longer support it and are offering ( at a substantial cost) a refurbished camerea.

Not know anything about digital cameras, I bought this one because of the Kodak brand name. I am deeply disappointed in their stance. They are offering a Z730 for $150. I can buy a new one for $200.

There is definitely something wrong with this picture.

I am intending to follow this up with Kodak, but I realize I am probably just wasting my time.

Lens jammed, my fault for crrying around in pants pocket activating lens in closed environment.
Kodak turned it around gratis in a week and upgraded
the selection wheel with alock so you can not activate camera by accident. Since then I have jammed the joystick toggle, limiting some camera features, but it still performs most functions. Buy a case!

I also have the same complaint with my LS443, Error 45, now I have irreplacable pics stuck in there. Can't we file a class action suit against Kodak? It obviously is not an isolated incident. Robbed by Kodak. Pretty crappy.

When your camera breaks down, Usually just after the guarantee runs out, They will not do anything to help although they had only repaired mine 2 months prior, They had the nerve to ask me to pay another £800 to upgrade. There is no way i would ever go back to kodak, They should have called all these Ls443 back in, They all have the same fault.

Worked great for 2 years, then all of a sudden it went BLACK. Just before Christmas of course. Very dissapointed. Looking out on forums on this camera, Would not have bought in the first place, Wish I would have done before spending $300. Next time will know better, no more Kodak

I was very happy with my first foray into the digital world using the LS443, until yesterday. I was taking photos at my sister's house on Christmas day until I received a E45 error. The camera message is to see owners manual. At home I did this, it tells you to go to website. Finally thru the website it tells you to call service. I called Dec 26. It took me 2 hours...the first rep "Sam" heard problem, suggested the replacement route, but did not complete the transaction. I called again, s/w "Apple" who completed transaction. I am to send LS443 for upgrade to a refurbished V730. Upon seeing the other reviews, I am staring to wonder if I should get a Canon and return my father's Kodak Camera, received yesterday.

My LS443 failed after less than 4 months while on a trip to Taiwan. Since it was still under warranty Kodak said they'd repair it, tho they actually sent me a refurbished replacement. Now, well under two years later, same problem as everyone else, and they won;t fix it. Defective design, should be recalled and replaced that their cost.

Same as all the rest of you this is the second time I have had the terrible E45 error on my camera. Am going out to buy a new one.

This camera originally worked good although I thought the shutter was alittle slow. Suddenly Christmas Day with no warning the screen goes black and a trash can appears in the corner. Remove SD card and try to take pictures again, no way still black. Reformat camera, still useless. After the reviews I hear why waste my time on hold with Kodak? It will definitely be my last purchase from Kodak!!!!!

Loved the ease and picture quality of ls443 while it lasted. But, the lens thing occured. $125.00 is not an outrageous price for a replacement product. However, Kodak should not be rewarded for not supporting a product that should have been replaced for free. Canon here we come!

I thought I was experiencing a one-off problem until I read the reviews on this site. The camera has worked fine for the last 2.5 years then suddenly this week it stopped taking photos. Everything else works fine but when I take a photo it comes out black. I was going to try to get it fixed but after reading the other reviews it seems I might be wasting my time. I won't be buying any other Kodak products in the future.

Camera was OK - nothing to write home about but took good pictures until the error E45 problem. Kodak once again offer upgrade for $125 - not worth it. Need some consumer help on this one. Any suggestions???

The LS 443 worked great for about two years. Error 45, I sent it in to be repaired. Paid $30 and used the camera for less than one month and had the same problem. Lens won't open and black screen. I'll never by Kodak again and they have a very POOr customer service dept. Wnated me to upgrade to another Kodak product. I don't think so. A big disappointment for the money. I guess I'll throw the camera in the trash.

Camera worked fine for nearly 2 years, then camera error #E45 appeared. My daughter called Kodak and they told her the camera could not be repaired, instead offering to replace the LS443 for $150. It has been 1-week and we are still waiting for the e-mail they promised to send that outlines their offer. When I contact Kodak again, as they appear not to have followed through, I will not accept their offer. Because this problem seems to be a defect in the design of the camera, Kodak needs to step up and replace the camera at no cost. If Kodak wants to turn around the company and begin reclaiming market share, they must realize that consumers will walk away and never come back if they aren't treated fairly

It worked great until it unexpectedly died the night before Thanksgiving. E-45 message...lens stuck out. Kodak only offered a replacement "refurbished" slight upgrade for $125.00. Sorry but I would rather use the $125 towards a more reliable brand, even if I must spend more. Do yourself a favor and go with Canon or one of the other reputable brands. I can't believe Kodak would want to lose so many customers due this piece of garbage. I initially asked instead for a rebate in the neighborhood of at least $50 to put towards another NEW Kodak camera of my choice (thought about giving them a second chance by purchasing the Z740) but they would rather lose good customers. No wonder American products have such a bad reputation.

I too am in a dilemma. My camera's lens is stuck open with an Error 45 on it and the auto focus now when you shoot the picture, comes out blurry on the visual screen. Apparently when they made this camera the omitted to put a lock on the camera so that the lens won't come out on it's own. I really like KODAK for the idea of being easy to use (easy share system) but the service really sucks as noone repairs these locally. I have to ship it to Toronto, Ontario from B.C. and pay shipping fees etc. I will call KODAK to see what they recommend. I can get one of their newer cameras 340 for $200.00. I'm sure this will cost me around 150.00 with shipping to have this camera fixed. What happens if this should happen again?

Another bad review, you have guessed it.
Worked fine until about a year ago.
it wouldn't turn on, that time it was easily repaired by going through the troubleshooting program. But now I'm stuck with this stupid " black screen of death " I'm really annoyed.
will Not ever buy a Kodak again.
This is pathetic, the least they could do is offer a refund but no.
The won't.
I Conclude, NEVER BY A KODAK

- Jay

Worked well until it went black. It wasn't dropped in liquid or missused...it just stopped working. Save your money until you can afford a camera from a company that services it's products and customers.

Of course - like everyone elase I bought this camera and after 2 years it started taking black pictures. Apparently the shutter is stuck closed or something but it no longer takes pictures. It seems like it works until you look at the pictures and they are all black. I'm going to get it fixed from Kodak and sell it on EBay!!!

Kodak Easyshare LS443 was great while it lasted. Received it as a gift and fell in love with it's ease of use and quality of pictures...until... When the camera was 18-months old, took one picture great, turned off, few minutes attempted to take another, and ... the camera would turn on to read the memory card then total black; no lens opening, etc. Took to Kodak dealer/ service shop and was sent off for repair. (No report of what the repair was, just a bill.) Ten months later the same thing happened again. This time I was told if I had it sent back to Kodak, we would be authorizing up to $250 Canadian in repairs without pre-notification. So, we are in the market for a new camera.

Another victim of the lens/shutter/zoom issue. I cannot believe Kodak will not recall after reading all of these reviews. I started out researching how to get it repaired and noticed that no one repairs these cameras, the major repair companies told me I was better off throwing it in the trash and buying a new one. I then happened upon this site and it makes me sick. To spend that much $$ and be stuck with a brick after only 2 years. I bought a Canon, and will never again buy Kodak...

I paid a lot of money for this camera , As i wanted a good camera and one to last.
It went wrong in the first year. Kodak was great and repaired it and sent back to me. It lasted 5 months and now i have been told by kodak, I will have to upgrade and pay a further £75.00.
I always have bought from Kodak but now i will NEVER buy another product.

How I loved this Kodak LS443 whilst it worked.How pleased and grateful I was when Kodak offered to fix my lens error 45 for free,even when it was out of warranty .The second time it happened,Kodak offered me an upgrade for £80 or a free fix.I decided on the fixit.They put a new dial on the back as well as fixing the lens,which I really liked.I was in love again.This weekend,the lens decided to refuse to retract,error 45 for the third time. My email to Kodak received no reply.Heartbroken,I ordered a Canon A620.I shall not buy Kodak again.

I got the camera for Christmas in 2002 and it worked great....at first. I was very happy with how easy this camera was to use and the great results it produced. Then in August 2004 I tried to take a picture and it turned out all black. Everything seemed normal except the viewfinder was seeing all black and the lens wouldn't open. I called customer support and they wouldn't help because the warranty was up but they did say that if I paid $40 for a "cleaning" it would come back fixed. I gladly paid the money and I was happy with my camera when it was returned. Fastforward to Sept 2005, I'm on my honeymoon standing in Rome outside St Peter's square and the dreaded black screen makes another visit to my camera. I couldn't think of a worse time to be let down than that moment. I ended up buying a disposable but those pictures turned out like crap because I am certainly an amateur and I really rely on the ability to take a large quantity of shots hoping that one of them turn out. No such luck with my disposable camera. Anyways, I called the company and I basically get the same runaround that everyone else is on here talking about. It makes me angry and my next camera will certainly not be a Kodak.

My son and I both have LS443s. Highly recommended by MacWorld at the time. Great pictures, easy to use. Both went 'black' within a couple of months of each other. No error number! Just a poor offer from Kodak to buy an equivalent camera at reduced price (cost of repair - I didn't break it!)? Maybe not Eh! Would you?

I'm 14 and i've brought this camera to school since grade 6, and now i'm in grade 9. I've taken it to A LOT of concerts,...dropped it,...and stepped on it. but it still works like a charm!

Like most on this forum I had my camera for just over a year when the display went blank. Paid £90+P&P to get fixed in November and camera broke again in August.
Kodak not repairing and offered a replacement at retail.
So after two years the camera has had two terminal faults. Kodak should replace this camera free of charge as it is an obvious design fault.

I bought this camera in June 2003 and within a week had issues with the lens not opening/closing right, so I returned it to OfficeDepot and got a replacement. I really liked the camera so wanted to give it another shot. Since June 2003 I've had to re-install the Kodak "Easy"Share (LMAO) software about 50 times because it won't recognize the camera. Now just over 2 years later I get the dreaded E45 error and the lens won't retract. Kodak no longer supports this camera and only offers an even crappier replacement model, and wants over $100 for it! No thank you, I am buying a Canon. Never again will I use a Kodak product.

One good thing though, I don't have to deal with horrid Kodak software ever again!

Wow, I was amazed when I found this page. I thought maybe this was a obscure problem that happened with this pile of crap camera but was I wrong or what. I also had the E45 error bless my camera after not even 3 years of owning it. I took the best care anyone could ever take of a camera but all of a sudden one day, BAM, E45 and nothing. I think we should file a class action law suit against Kodak. This is a lot of people that have the same problem.

This is my third attempt at getting the camera fixed, but when the warranty ran out after the second attempt the customer service attitude changed. This camera was way to expensive for the problems it has, if I wanted a disposable camera I would have went that route. I highly do not recommend Kodak.

This camera cost $400 and should be expected to last more than 2 years. This isn't the case. Kodak advises they do not support this model any longer. Consequently it has to be trashed since it no longer will operate due to black picture. The cost of repairing would be better spent in purchasing a more dependable product.

While it worked, it took really good pictures. But cameras should work for years and not just over 2 years. The bloody thing stopped working on our wedding day. We got the E45 error just out of the blue! I managed to download the last pictures after a few attempts. We won't buy another Kodak camera.

What can I say that hasn't already been said. The lens locked on the way out of the Grand Canyon, our memories our incomplete and Kodak can offer no help.

My camera just got the "black screen of death" this past Friday. I was at a town carnival and took 4 pix that came out great and then the last 2 I took 5 minutes later were black. No warning, no dropping, jarring, etc. I sent this back once to Kodak for repair under warrantee. This is my second Kodak digicam and it will be my last.

We WANT to buy American-made products designed with American ingenuity, and then THIS happens! :(

The Kodak LS443 was a nice little camera until the shutter stuck. Manual manipulation worked once or twice and then the camera became inoperable — period. It is criminal for Kodak to put out an item like the LS443, known to have a design shortcoming, and then refuse to stand behind it. No wonder American companies are going out of business.

I will now look at a Canon.

I bought the LS443 at Fry's for $300 (a bargain back then) and it worked well for about 2.5 yrs. It stopped taking pictures in a middle of a shoot while vacationing in Mexico. The lens is stuck, and won't retract while the blue screen displays Error E45. Luckily I was able to download the pictures already taken. After reading these reviews I will not bother fixing it. This was the first camera I bought from Kodak and it will also be the last. I consider the money spent on this camera the cost of learning. The lesson is "go with well established manufacturers with a proven track record of designing electronic equipment". Canon seems to be the one brand everybody has good things to say about so I'll start my search for a new digital camera there.

I too have the dreaded E#45 appear on my LS443 camera display.Best solution to my problem i belive was to buy a Canon S21S. Wallet is a bit lighter but the problem went away. My photo quality also improved.

Purchased camera in December 02 for $482.83. Had to repair lens after warranty time for $156.22. Now the screen is black and Kodak does not repair but is offering an used camera for $100.00. The worst second-hand car dealer is more reliable and gives better customer service than Kodak. To make matters worse, some Kodak people were very rude. They should take back the camera. Why not taking legal action?

Our 2nd LS443 camera has the ever so common mal-functioning shutter most in this forum have described. To fix it we were quoted A$1023 - 3 times more than what the piece of garbage is worth. I now have no option but to throw the piece of worthless garbage in the garbage! Thanks for the expensive experience Kodak - stick to making photographic paper is my advice!!

We purchased our camera from eBay - big mistake! It was new at the time and worked very well for the first 8 months. We took an overseas trip earlier this year where, like another writer, the camera decided to die in the south of france - two weeks into an 8 week trip of Europe. First up, the lens started playing up - taking black pictures every now and then when using the zoom. Soon thereafter, it completely died, taking ONLY black pictures!!!!

Kodak support have advised me that the camera is not being repaired as they can no longer get parts. What sort of service is that???? I was also offered an upgrade deal: a "brand-new" z730 for $165 or a v550 for $365. I have informed them that after this experience I do not want another Kodak camera, but they are not prepared to offer my any credit unless I take an upgrade option. This is just not good enough! Obviously there are lots of others who have had trouble with this model. I agree that Kodak need to consider recalling this model camera and replacing it free of charge whether it is in warranty or not!

This camera was a fine camera for a year and 1/2. Then I started having problems with the lens. For about 6 months I could make it work by manually pulling out the lens. Then I got the dreaded error #45.

This company sold a defective product and fails to back it up.

Do not buy.

Koadk is ripping people off on ls 443
black screen and all the rest. i'll never buy kodak anything

purchased camera in june 03 just before trip to america worked great while over there but have just returned from trip to europe where my ls443 decided to die in the south of france - one week into a 5 week trip of europe. however my camera seems to be doing the opposite, taking pictures in daylight is impossible all i get is a white screen. though my shutter is starting to get noticeably slower to open, don't think it will be long. kodak (when i can contact them) have offered me a "brand-new" z730 for $165 or a v550 for $365 i have taken less than 700 photos since i first bought this camera... to me this is just not good enoughwhen they have had this much trouble with the model. i was actually considering buying the z730! kodak definately need to recall this camera and replace it- free of charge whether it is in warranty or not!

We have owned the LS443 for 26 months, with just over 1300 pictures stored in the computer. When I turn the camera on, the lens moves out, but the rear view screen stays black. If I try to take a photo, I get nothing. I am going to try to take the new battery back for a refund, but I don't expect success there. Like so many others, it works fine UNTIL it just stops, then the repair estimate exceeds the price of a new camera. Junk like this will lead to one of those sad history of business stories. I'll watch the news, maybe I'll send a sympathy card, maybe not.

Worked great for 3 years, and then the black picture of death. Will not buy another Kodak camera!

Just about the same as everyone else. Great camera for the "happy snapper" like me. Then bang. Zoom will not work and screen stays black. I am waiting for Kodak's response but reading the other reviews, I will not hold my breath.

LS443 Camera, Lens, extra batteries @ a lot of money
now, nothing good, no repairs, accessories not compatible with other kodak camera
No kodak anymore!

My camera has just encountered the same problem as most of the other reviews here. Have these cameras got an inbuilt life expectency built into the software - i.e self destruct mode after a certain time period has elapsed? I was happy enough with this camera while it worked - even with its slow shutter response. I will not buy another Kodak again !

Bought this camera when it was first released, and paid $1000 cash. Great camera, until i received the #E45 error. Felt confident that Kodak would look after me, repair would not be a problem. Was offered "upgrade" camera ranging in price from $100-$365. I believe these cameras are rebuilds and one is a discontinued model. Kodak assure me that i am a valued customer and they will look after me. I won't hold my breath, I'll just join the queue.
<B>Don't touch these cameras at any cost.</B>

Next to the Canon A70, this is going down in the camera hall of shame for being one of the most defective cameras ever made. I'am a dealer of digital cameras and have 50-100 LS443's cameras in stock right now that all have lens issues.

There is 3 major problems: Bad Aperture showing complete blackness in picture mode; E45 total jam defection; and Lens error where you have to assist the lens in zooming. All can be fixed, but it takes about 20 minutes to get the dang thing open to begin with. Please update me if anybody gets any info on recalls, because Kodak should take care of this problem. And yes, Kodak does not even carry parts for this camera anymore because they have had to fix so many of them, including about 100 of mine. I recommend the Sony DSC-P100 or DSC-P150 for overall upgrade.

Lasted 2 years before having to send it in to have shutter replaced. I thought "Thank goodness I bought the 3 year warranty from CircuitCity for $80).
Yeah right. Since I got it back, which was a year ago (now my 3 yr warranty is up), all pictures are out of focus, no matter which setting i use.
I bought the camera, and bunch of accessories, all totalling $800 when it first came out. And it had good reviews at the time.

I will never ever ever buy another thing from Kodak. And I will do my absolute best to spread the word about their poor products and customer support.

This camera costed me £300,great while it worked,I have to say it was used very little,and ofcourse the black photo's started on the 1st day of our holidays,so we had to buy a disposal camera.Rang Kodak and they new all about this lens problem and said it was unrepairable,offered two camera's at so-called discounted rates.A large company like this should recall all LS443's and offer free replacements.As usual the customer pays for bad design and poor cusomer service.Kodak get your act together otherwise your proud reputation will be a distance memory!

Worked fine for 9 months then had the lens/shutter probelm. Fixed under warranty in Dec 03 and worked ok until Aug.05,. Same problem occurred again. I paid $400 for camera and now Kodak won't repair it but offers another camera for $125.00 plus shipping of $10.95. Kodak has you in a bind, you either do that or buy another brand all together and spend another $400 or so. I also noticed that stores and places are still selling this camera with Kodak knowing that it has this problem. This is not right. Consumer Affairs or someone should check into this major problem. I always thought Kodak stood by its products. O'well.

The lens unit no longer functions. Kodak no longer repairs, but offers a replacement of camear DX7630. That is great, but after spending about $500.00 on the camera and dock in the first place I don't want to buy another camera. I would just like mine to operate properly. Sorry to all the others that got suckered right along with me from Kodak =(

I bought this camera 2.5years ago. During 2 years I was extremely satisfied with it. The combination of good picture quality with easy to handle is not easy to be found. Until one day...when the (what I thought it was) the automatic white balance no longer worked. Tried to find reviews on the internet and for my surprise I got hundreds of hits, all with the same or identical problem! Picture color overlighted / shutters not responding...! Decided to contact Kodak helpdesk..got even more surprised with the answer...- according to Kodak's helpdesk this camera has a shutter construction fault! It is well known to Kodak and therefore they would fix it free of charge. I would have to miss it for 3 to 4 weeks but that was ok with me. What I thought it was strange was that the helpdesk operator indicated that the problem would again occur!!!! Even after being serviced! Kodak would offer a discount on other models if I would decide not to send the old camera for servicing and buy a new one!!!!
I had paid around 350Euro for this camera!!! Maybe for Kodak 350Euro is not much but...for a consumer it means a lot!!!!
The camera was repaired within 2 weeks and worked fine until.....15days ago. 3 months after being serviced the shutter got stuck!!!!3 months!
Kodak is the worlds oldest photo camera producer
known for their product quality....well...not any longer.
If a car producer calls back cars that have a construction defect to the factory, then it would not be to much to expect from another producer to do the same. All the buyers of this camera should be asked to return the cameras and be given a similar model in substitution. It is not much to ask from a worldwide known manufacturer, that knows that one of their products has a construction fault, to replace the product by a similar one. No excuses from Kodak can be enough for buyers feelling "robbed".

Purchased camera 8 months ago. Had to send it in several months later because lens would not retract. Now the automatic lens cover is stuck about 3/4 open so pictures have a black diagonal strip along top and bottom of picture. Kodak was not helpful at all. Did not even have record of first time we sent it in or of our registration of the product. Customer service was totally inadequate. Unhelpful CSR, refused to let us speak to a supervisor. In the future, I will not be buying another Kodak, that is for certain. To all prospective buyers out there - Do NOT buy this camera, it will only cause you undue stress and frustration! You may end up spending more on repairs (for a camera that is still under warranty) than if you bought a new camera and of course you have to send it in to them for God only knows how many weeks that you will have to do with out it. For those who have small children as I do, that is too long!

I have to add my voice to all those who expressed dissatisfaction with this camera. Don't get me wrong: the machine is lovely, takes nice photos, is a doddle to use, looks good, not too bulky etc. BUT any $350 product that only lasts two and a half years is not good enough. We need to fight this disposable culture. Disposable is OK for a $20-$50 purchase. Significant outlay like $350 should buy me a (computer) product that will last until it's either completely outdated or I decide to upgrade

No wonder Kodak is laying off 15000 of it's work force!
Great camera while it worked. I sent it back for repairs on Kodak's nickel in Jan 05. Today it died again and they no longer repair this model. they will sell a refurbished EX7440 for $110 but I am going to pass. If anyone has a solution for the "black screen" effect please let me know.
Lot's of money for such a short time..........
Bad Kodak,,,,,,Bad

Turn on, lens goes out then back in camera. From what I have read there is no repair, there fore it is a light weight boat anchor. The dock is not compatible with any other camera therefore it is a waste. Also I have a wide angle lens for it and hope to find another camera that it will work on. Great camera while it is working, but not very durable.

Same camera, same story. I am extremely dissappointed with Kodak. We got the same "offer" of "we don't want to know anything about the camera you are having problems with but we'll be glad to sell you another one". I plan to tell everyone I know about my experience with their products.

It was nice when it worked now over a year and the lens will not zoom Kodak says No Parts but we can upgrade you to a REFURBISHED ls743 for yes you guessed it $125 + $10 S&P + taxes ...UM I will try anything other that KODAK...CRAP unless you know different!!!!

I wish I would have read these other reviews before I wasted my money buying a new battery. My camera has died the same death as so many, lens will not extend after 2 years. Such a shame because I loved the ease of use and picture quality. My next will be a Canon.

I seem to be having the same problem as everyone else!! The selector was somehow knocked so the camera was left on accidentally (but in it's case) and now it won't work - even though I've recharged the battery. The lens won't open (it's kinda loose) and the camera makes a whirring noise and then turns itself off. I've been told that it has to be sent away and will take 4 weeks to be repaired. They can't tell me how much it will cost but it could be as much as the cost of a new one. What's the point in repairing this thing then?

Takes good pictures, but model has problems with the lens. Lens sticks out and wont retrack, with an E45 error. Camera is an expensive disposable.

This camera was awesome. I loved it! It took great pictures was super easy to use....but $400 for one year use is a bit much! After 1 year as soon as the warranty expired so did the camera and only takes black pictures. Kodak will fix it for a mear 250.00 forget that time to buy a new camera this time a canon!

since owning it 1)software needs to be loaded over and over to get it to transfer pics 2)lens finally stopped going in and out camera now usless. camera now in trash, sold all my stock in the company

I could easily have written this review by cutting and pasting everyone else's comments. This camera must somehow sense when you really want it to work in order to know when to suddenly refuse to record pictures-everything seems to work except the display shows only blackness & what you see is what you get. My sad locale for failure was hiking on top of Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, 1000 miles from home. 23 of 24 reviewers had either lens failure or "black image" failure...The longest any camera lasted was 2.5 years...Get the picture on this model? (AVOID!! It will cost you way too much per picture). I am happy with my new Olympus.

I'll add to the general lament in the reviews. Bought the LS443 in December '02. Went in for warranty repair less than six months later for the lens, now (7/05) lens won't extend again. Kodak tells me they won't repair, offered to sell me another camera for $100 under their "service upgrade program". More like the "How big a sucker are you really?" program. A camera that cost over $400 is dead in 2.5 years. Kodak, that sucks. You have to do better if you want to survive.

I've had my camera for only 1 year and I've never dropped it or anything. And now just up and out of the blue, when I go to take a picture, all of my pictures come out pitch black. There's no picture or anything. Just a blank picture. So I wouldn't buy it if I was yall.

Problems with lens extending (you need this to operate). Warranty repairs twice in the first year. After the 13th month (outside the warranty period), I could not zoom in too much because THAT became a new problem. Dealt with it for 2.5 years. Didn't use the camera as much as I'd like. Problems with lens extending -for the 3rd time since owning. Thank you. Now I'll try anything but Kodak.

I thought our problem was a fluke until I opened the camera myself and inspected the gearing for the lens extension system. The best comparison I can make is to a sand castle...real cute for a real short time. Paper thin, easily breakable gears. Don't buy this poorly constucted piece.

Mine also stopped working after 2.5 years called Kodak also told no repair available, was suckered into getting the LS443 replacement for @$150 with taxes, shipping, etc. Should have found this website first to find out it wasn't just my camera. I expect the LS443 will also end up being a disposable. Now I am concerned that the software the LS443 comes with will put my old computer over the edge and I will ultimately have to spend alot more for a new computer and a so so camera.

I have really enjoyed using this camera: the picture quality except for red eye problems and how user friendly it is; however, at my mother-in-laws 84th bd party, it simply stopped recording pictures. Everything works: flash, menu LCD, even LCD date when I take a picture but only a black LCD where the picture should be. Called Kodak and was told they would replace with LS743, dock, cables, software n 1 yr. warranty for $100.00 if I return LS443 to them. I thought about it but after a lot of research I decided to buy a Minolta F5 this time which has 5 megapixel, 12X optical zoom, hot shoe capability as well as anti shake. So far I have not regretted putting the $100.00 towards the purchase of this camera except I would rather have spent the money with Kodak. I seriously considered the 7590 but it did not offer anti shake or hot shoe capability. From all my research, if you offer more than 8X zoom a camera needs anti shake for the best picture quality. I am disappointed in Kodak. Kodak is an American institution but they are short changing the consumer and if they continue shortchanging us, Kodak will disappear. What a shame!

I have the same problem as most other people. Lens sticks and just makes whirring noise.
Told not to bother with getting it mended as it would cost £200 and could get a new one cheaper!
Rubbish camera!!!

I don't remember when it started happening but I have the same issue everyone else has with the lens not opening. However, for those of you that have it, I have found that when you pull on the lens most of the time it will open and it can take pictures. Or at least that's how mine has been for quite some time now although it is really annoying. A friend of mine is a mechanic and he is hoping to find a fix for me. I hope he's genius enough to figure it out because I also paid $400 for this piece of crap. I'll never by Kodak again. My whole family got Canon's and their camera's are really good. Go check those out. Kodak SUCKS.

Why didn't I read this website first? Camera lens refuses to extend - just makes a horrible whirling noise. Just paid £30 to a 'robber' to get an estimate. If this is such a common problem why hasn't Kodak sorted it out?

This camera may get good reviews for its ease of use and camera software, but the lifespan of this camera is very short! After only 1.5 years of owning this camera, it is no longer working. The LCD screen is no longer showing any images so I cannot take pictures. To make it worse, Kodak will not repair the camera. They did offer me a discounted price ($125) for another Kodak camera instead. No thanks! No Kodak anymore until I learn they stand by their product.

Was very happy with the quality of pictures and the ease of use until I started having trouble with the lens cover not shutting properly which caused non-functioning of the camera. It righted itself once but just now it has stuck again and I think there is no other action than bin it. The pictures I have taken over the 2 year period have been very expensive ones. I feel I have been ripped off.

Oh yeah, easy operation, easy download to your pc, ease battery charging, but what a nightmare. In the 1st year, under guarantee, two times lens problems in the 1st year. First, the shutter didn't open and after repairing it, pictures became blurry. This happened just 1 month after the first repair. This was caused by the lens again. Now just before it reaches the age of 2, the lens is out and open and the camera doesn't want to do anything. 430 Euro in two years time!!!! Now Kodak is offering me a LS753 at 96.60 Euro, because there are no spare parts anymore. This is really a good deal because a repair outside guarantee period will cost you 140 Euro. Yeah right, a camera technically dead in two years time???? They sell you rubbish and now they ask me again to support them with 96 Euro. No way Kodak, I all ready spent 215 Euro a year, what do you think to do about that?

My husband and I bought this for our wedding and honeymoon. We got great pictures from that and have loved using this camera, however on our next big trip to Europe the camera stopped working - only a year and a half after purchase. Now that we are expecting a baby we are going to take a ton of pictures. How disappointing to have to make another big purchase. We checked into fixing it and were advised it was "off it's track" and would cost $220! We're planning to buy another camera, not Kodak brand.

I had mine for a little over 3 months and one day the lens motor froze while trying to turn the camera on. Very sudden. I did some research and found out that fixing it would cost over 150$. Not worth it! Pity and it was so easy to use too. Laying off Kodak products for while.

As other viewers have stated, this is an easy camera to use as a beginner. Unfortunately, it stopped displaying pictures we were taking as we stood in front of the White House. Got back home and it had truly stopped taking pictures as the display showed. Camera lasted 2.5 years. Thank goodness for disposable cameras!

My camera worked great all of a sudden i went to turn it on and the lens won't come out it acts like its sticking and camera will not operate at all just keeps making a clicking noise. I paid 450. dollars for this camera through Dell

The lens function quit while we were in England for a month. We had it fixed when we returned. The repair lasted just over 30 days. I'm now told they have no parts, but they will upgrade me to two other models if I'm stupid enough to pay retail. Good bye Kodak.

It was working decently, but suddenly all the images become blue and blurry and cannot take pictures/films with interior light anymore either (everything looks much darker now). I am really disappointed to read that they do not repair this model, how can it be possible?

The LS 443 was my first digital camera way back then. It's very user friendly and not a battery eater. It's a bit slow but the images are acceptably sharp and clear if one doesn't try to push things. One drawback is there was no printer dock for it. I have far better equipment from Kodak now but I still use the LS 443 from time to time. Overall it was worth the price.

I have enjoyed using the camera, but found that the selector slipped from one mode to the next with very little warning. The camera died a horrible sounding death when I turned it on immediately after taking it out of the dock to take some pictures. When I turned it to auto, it made a whirring sound as if it were trying to turn on, but couldn't. I also tried to use the zoom and it, of course, could not work either.

I thought it might be the battery, but a brand new battery did not help. After a night on the dock to recharge the new battery also made no difference. Dead camera...poor dead camera.

I bought the camera on the advice of my son, who had purchased the identical LS443 and dock from Office Max, the retailer. I bought mine through Office Max also. My son's camera died the same type of death that mine did, only his died at the approximate year and a half of use time that mine died. Coincidence?? Apparently there is some flaw in the workmanship that triggers after a certain time for these units.

I am now reading that this is common for this camera and Kodak does not stand behind them.

How unfortunate, since I found the camera to be easy to use. I guess I will go back to using my Canon Rebel 35MM camera. I really want my Kodak camera fixed or replaced.

Sure, easy to operate. I was even going to buy another one until I saw these reviews and realized that my experience is common!!! I paid to have it repaired when it died 3 weeks ago, and was JUST notified that there's no hope for repair. The lens action is just shot.

Paid top money for it two years ago. Nothing but had trouble. One month after warranty expired, zoom failed to operate. Paid lots of money to get it fixed and few months later the same problem appeared. Lots of people seem to have similar problems with this model. Will never touch a Kodak ever again.

While I liked by camera for the last two years - it now needs some repair. The answer when I called Kodak Company is "There is no repair available for the LS443. We will forward you information regarding trade in or up-grading."

I've had my LS443 for almost 2 years. I loved the ease of use, and good quality pictures, until it suddenly quit working. Kodak didn't offer much as far as backing up there product. After spending $400, it only worked for 2 years, and Kodak will no longer fix the camera. They will upgrade me to a LS743 that has been refurbished, but it will cost me $125 plus taxes and S&H. On top of that, I will have to buy a new dock, because my old one won't work with the LS743. I'm very disappointed with Kodak's customer service policies. After doing some research, this seems to be a common problem. In the future, I will buy something other than a Kodak.