Does anyone know how to fix the dreaded E18 error on a Canon IXUS 100IS?
February 19, 2010 9:08 AM Subscribe
Canon IXUS 100IS : 'Lens error, restart camera'.
Does anyone know how to fix the dreaded E18 error on a Canon IXUS 100IS?
The camera (aka the Canon SD780IS in the USA) is 2 weeks old, never been abused. One fine day I see 'Lens error, restart camera'.
Canon says the warranty is void and will cost me 3 weeks + more than the original price of the camera.
I have seen the following:
http://www.ixus-world.de/index.htm?tips/repair_guide/e18_01en.htm
http://www.fixya.com/support/t102982-e_18_problem
http://www.e18error.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E18_error
Nowhere do I see a Canon IXUS 100IS specific guide or discussion.
I have the chops and no qualms about opening up the camera if need be. Hope me!
The camera (aka the Canon SD780IS in the USA) is 2 weeks old, never been abused. One fine day I see 'Lens error, restart camera'.
Canon says the warranty is void and will cost me 3 weeks + more than the original price of the camera.
I have seen the following:
http://www.ixus-world.de/index.htm?tips/repair_guide/e18_01en.htm
http://www.fixya.com/support/t102982-e_18_problem
http://www.e18error.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E18_error
Nowhere do I see a Canon IXUS 100IS specific guide or discussion.
I have the chops and no qualms about opening up the camera if need be. Hope me!
I have repaired over a dozen Canon A530s to create a camera array (it was on the blue/projects). Some of the time, smacking the camera while turning it on would get the lens mechanism to fire up once more. I always did this with freshly charged batteries, and the display off, to leave the most possible juice for driving the lens motor.
The other thing that consistently froze the lens mechanism was the leaf shutter at the lens opening. Try prying on it while you turn the camera on.
Should you decide to take your camera apart, you are going to find it one of the most incredibly interleaved/interconnected things you've ever messed with. The huge number of FFCs and interlocking parts makes it a wretched bastard to get back together. You will not usefully get inside the lens mechanism to get it clean or realigned or whatever. Whatever you do, do not loosen the four screws on the back of the lens assembly -- they are mechanically holding the sensor in a particular alignment. I ruined an otherwise good camera by having a look at the sensor.
My approach in your situation would be:
1. smack it on the table while turning it on.
2. Do that again a few times.
3. Try putting tape on the outer rim of the lens and pulling it out while turning it on.
4. Before doing all that other stuff, jack the leaf shutter open.
4.a Try all permutations of batteries/no batteries, starving it of power overnight, etc.
5. Start looking for a replacement on eBay.
posted by fake at 11:06 AM on February 19, 2010
The other thing that consistently froze the lens mechanism was the leaf shutter at the lens opening. Try prying on it while you turn the camera on.
Should you decide to take your camera apart, you are going to find it one of the most incredibly interleaved/interconnected things you've ever messed with. The huge number of FFCs and interlocking parts makes it a wretched bastard to get back together. You will not usefully get inside the lens mechanism to get it clean or realigned or whatever. Whatever you do, do not loosen the four screws on the back of the lens assembly -- they are mechanically holding the sensor in a particular alignment. I ruined an otherwise good camera by having a look at the sensor.
My approach in your situation would be:
1. smack it on the table while turning it on.
2. Do that again a few times.
3. Try putting tape on the outer rim of the lens and pulling it out while turning it on.
4. Before doing all that other stuff, jack the leaf shutter open.
4.a Try all permutations of batteries/no batteries, starving it of power overnight, etc.
5. Start looking for a replacement on eBay.
posted by fake at 11:06 AM on February 19, 2010
2 weeks old? I'd put it back in the box and return it.
I'm a sucker for Canon point and shoots and over the years have had 3 of them with that error - every time has been caused by either dropping it with the lens open/extended or powering the phone on while its in my pocket - seems to burn out the motor.
The first 2 times, I could not fix the problem and ended up selling it on Ebay for parts. That last time, it was dropped while at a party (drinks consumed) and you could hear the gear mechanism clicking. I grabbed the lens while turning on the power and pulled it back into place, and have been using the camera for the past year.
posted by jeffmik at 12:08 PM on February 19, 2010
I'm a sucker for Canon point and shoots and over the years have had 3 of them with that error - every time has been caused by either dropping it with the lens open/extended or powering the phone on while its in my pocket - seems to burn out the motor.
The first 2 times, I could not fix the problem and ended up selling it on Ebay for parts. That last time, it was dropped while at a party (drinks consumed) and you could hear the gear mechanism clicking. I grabbed the lens while turning on the power and pulled it back into place, and have been using the camera for the past year.
posted by jeffmik at 12:08 PM on February 19, 2010
Two weeks old and the warranty's void? I'd hit up Consumerist or somesuch, or even where you bought it. Assuming you bought it new, I wouldn't put up with this. Opening it yourself is definitely going to void your warranty.
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 12:47 PM on February 19, 2010
posted by jaffacakerhubarb at 12:47 PM on February 19, 2010
Best answer: I solved this problem by putting some scotch tape on the lens, turning on the camera and ripping the tape off.
On closer inspection the lens is covered by a metallic annular sheath that was dented, preventing graceful retraction. This is fixed with needlenose pliers.
posted by vostok at 3:25 AM on March 8, 2010
On closer inspection the lens is covered by a metallic annular sheath that was dented, preventing graceful retraction. This is fixed with needlenose pliers.
posted by vostok at 3:25 AM on March 8, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by starman at 10:18 AM on February 19, 2010