Should I try to fix my camera?
September 6, 2007 4:05 AM   Subscribe

Is it worth me trying to fix my broken digital camera?

It's only 7 months old, but I dropped it and it has visible marks which attest to the fact (it's outside warranty repair for that reason) and the best price I have for repair is more than the value of a new one. Knowing virtually nothing about cameras, is it worth my while looking up How Stuff Works and having a go at fixing it?
posted by Myeral to Technology (8 answers total)
 
What would the cost of a diagnosis, not a repair be? The cameras are modular, you can get parts either from the maker or from "breakers" on EBay. I've replaced dud bits in my Sony, so it isn't impossible. However, it all depends if you know what is bust.

Doesn't your insurance cover it though?
posted by A189Nut at 4:10 AM on September 6, 2007


As always, it depends.
I dropped my camera, it broke, and I fixed it with parts from an 'as is' camera on eBay, so it can be done.

But I'm used to fixing stuff (though this was my first camera) and it was a fairly simple repair (though I didn't know it before I had ordered the 2nd camera). If it has essentially no value now (if there is no insurance) there is nothing to lose by opening it up. You might even find a loose cable or something obvious (though not likely).
posted by MtDewd at 5:11 AM on September 6, 2007


What kind of camera and how much? If it is not something really expensive, it might be easier to buy a new one.

I had a similar experience with my wife's camera, though and the problem was simply that the case had become misaligned and the big multifunction button no longer worked. Carefully realigning everything and snapping it back together worked fine and took less than five minutes, so you might be able to fix it.
posted by TedW at 5:41 AM on September 6, 2007


Of course it is! Worst case scenario, you learn something new.
posted by Chuckles at 6:57 AM on September 6, 2007


In what way does it 'not work'? That may have a massive implication on how fix-worthy it is.

Also, what sort of camera? How much is it worth?
posted by Brockles at 7:05 AM on September 6, 2007


A better question would have included more details about the model and the symptoms, so that we could help you with the actual repair, rather than the silly "how much is your time worth" type responses that you will get.

Something like "I have a Canon A520, and the zoom lens is stuck, is this something I should try to fix." Or, "the CCD in my camera has developed flaws". In the first case, you may just have to open it up and clear an obstruction, in the latter there isn't anything you can do- still fun to open it up and play around though!
I've no idea what failures modes are common on digital cameras.
posted by Chuckles at 7:06 AM on September 6, 2007


Find camera parts diagrams and service manuals at The Foto Geeks (formerly Image Gallery (formerly Huron Camera)).
posted by Myself at 4:26 PM on September 6, 2007 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Here's an update. It is a Nikon Coolpix P2 and the lens motor went out of kilter. It was worth a little over GBP100 when I bought it. The store I bought it from told me that it would cost between GBP 150 and 200 to fix. It is not insured, but is covered under manufacturer's warranty. I did have a go at taking it apart, but (probably something to do with the dexterity, if not the appearance, of my fingers being akin to sausages) got nowhere. I found a store in London which looks like it might do the trick - either repair or trade-in - and I'm going to go there later today.

Thanks for the responses.
posted by Myeral at 3:11 AM on September 7, 2007


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