Zoom error

I had this problem with my Fujifilm E900 under warranty, and Fuji replaced the zoom mechanism. Nine months later, this past weekend, the same problem occurred. I appear to have solved it by gently but persistently wiggling the lens into a fully zoomed-out position, applying silicone spray to the lens barrel such that some of it dripped down into the space between the lens and the camera body and between the two parts of the lens barrel, and then repeatedly turning the camera on and off, wiggling the lens barrel, until it began to move freely again. Then I zoomed in and out until the silicone spray appeared to be dry. So far, I've tried zooming it in and out about 50 times in a row, with no problems.

The clue, to me, that this might work is that the spray initially seeme to make the problem worse. That meant it was getting to the gear mechanism. Once the solvent part of the spray dried, it wall worked smoothly.

I'd estimate 80% of point and shoot cameras suffer from this problem. Usually due to some sort of impact or dirt in the lens mechanism.
Personally I'd be taking your camera to a good technician unless you're technically minded yourself.

I certainly wouldn't recommend that "grab the lens and pull and twist "method. That can cause delicate components in the lens mechanism to be literally ripped out of the lens barrel. Also the days of "kick it to make it work" have long gone. So avoid the bash the camera on the desk or table top.

The lens is an extremely delicate mechanism please treat it as such and give yourself a chance at it being repaired. If the quote turns out to be rather excessive then consider cutting your losses and invest that money in a newer model.

To recoup some of the loss you could always sell the damaged camera on Ebay for spare parts. If the thought of Ebay scares you, ask around to find an Ebayer who is willing to sell the camera for you.

Let's face it, today's domestic digital cameras are built to last for the warranty period and unless you're lucky, that's about it.

BMW

Very delicate mechanism, easily damaged, and needs repair.

Take a look at this post: http://www.fixya.com/problems-solutions/...

There's a tip there that might help you free the lense. If it doesn't work you should use the warrantee if available, or consider repair.

Good luck

try this thread, same problem with a better solution:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t143152-zoo...

I have owned 3 Fugi cameras in the last 3 xmas's-
1. 205 flat batteries TYPE cost both arms and legs and the camera stopped turning on. took it to Fugi's ACTUAL repair place and the cost to open it up ,look at it,fix the bad connection on the sliding door was more than the cost of a new 410 at bestbuy/futureshop where i had bought the first camera.
2.I bought 2 more 410 cameras from bestbuy /future shop AAA BATTERIES THIS TIME and got the extended warranty OPTION this time so i would be covered if the switch wiped out like on the first one.needless to say the first 410 wiped out within 3 months, took it back to best buy and spent weeks arguing with them AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING AT THE FUGI REPAIR DEPOT FOR MONTHS. talked with the technician at Fugi and discovered that THE warranties and extended warranties are worthless. the slightest fault or mark ON OR IN the case voids all TYPES OF warranties -DAMAGE- the Fugi cameras must be in absolute pristine condition, unmarked ,unused. It appears that the act of opening the camera lens creates a suction through the battery case AREA AND brings dust in and they call the dust that IS sucked inside the camera AND PROBABLY STOPS THE LENS MOVEMENT- SUBSTANCE ABUSE. Future shop said that the substance abuse in the camera was coffee dropped in - i fdont drink coffee but the technician said it was dust and no liquid had ever got into the case.AGAIN THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS ALMOST EQUAL TO THE CAMERA COST! AFTER REPAIR -TOOK 6 MONTHS TO GET IT OUT OF THE FUGI REPAIR FACILITY: THE DISCUSIONS WITH BESTBUY/FUTURE SHOP WERE HORRENDOUS before settlement and THE CAMERA LASTED 68 PICTUREs before a batter cover interlock clip wore or broke off, its very small and complex and the lens again stopped moving in and out. I then started using my wifes camera and it lasted 4 months and you got it the lens stopped moving in and out. THE PICTURES PRODUCED WERE GREAT on the products , I WAS VERY HAPPY BUT THE CAMERA PRODUCT DESIGN ITSELF IS JUNK.I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF THIS TYPE OF CAMERA AND THE product MUST BE REGARDED AS DISPOSABLE and not worth repairing.
SAD.