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This is probably THE most common failure among digital cameras. There's a halfway chance of fixing it yourself, described here: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
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This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some
common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with
this problem include "E18 lens error" (older Canons), "ACCESS" error
(Sony), "Zoom Error" (Fuji), "Lens Obstructed" (Kodak), "lens error,
restart camera" or just "lens error" (nearly all camera makers lately
use this variation). Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely
make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera
shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.
Lens errors (system error zoom on Panasonics) are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can try that may (or may not) correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty (or repair cost approaches that of the camera), they're worth that try. Some of the later steps do involve some risk to the camera, so carefully weigh your options before deciding to conduct them:
Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...
Here's some things that you can do to try to correct it. They only seem to work for less than 50% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty, they're worth a try:
Dirt in the focus motor drive gears right behind the lens at the front.
It's a **** design (my opinion). The lens at the front moves in and out depending on your zoom level. It can come right out of the lens barrell at the front. So, if it can come out, dirt can get in. and it's a pig to clean out and reset. Bin it or sell for parts.
Just fixed the same problem on mine. This is what I did: Unscrew 6 small screws around the lens casing and remove the casing (two layers ((rings)). Jiggle the inner most lens casing while you turn power on. The lens moving (i.e., auto focus) mechanism becomes unstuck. Voila. The problem in my case was caused by the dust that accumulated inside the casing and caused the auto focus mechanism not to move freely. Good luck.
Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension.
Here's some things that you can do to try to correct it. They only seem to work for less than 50% of the lens errors, but they're still worth a try:
The lens on your camera has become stuck due to being dropped, contamination such as sand, or a malfunction within the lens. If gently manipulating the lens itself does not free it then you will need to get it professionally repaired or replace the camera.
David Millier
Advance Camera Repair
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