My husband dropped our canon powershot sd900 in the dirt accidentally.The lens as a result does not retract anymore and when tying to tunr the camera on, it says, lens error, restart the camera which we did but got the same message. ANy idea what the pb is?

There's really no way to restart it if there's a physical problem with the lens. Try to power it on again but if that doesn't reset it, the camera needs to be serviced. A great site for help with these is: camerasandparts.com They just specialize in service for the Canon Powershots and nothing else, they are fantastic if you need help with one of these problems. Try them, your exact SD780 lens error restart camera problem is right on the site for the SD780. Good luck, that's the place for help with a powershot, it just sucks that it happened while you are on vacation.

The lens has probably got something in the retraction mechanism that is stopping it retracting. This can be something as simple as sand or grit or as a result of a drop or knock. In most cases the camera will need to be stripped apart to remove the lens assy before it can be repaired. This is best left to a professional camera repair shop.

The lens has probably got something in the retraction mechanism that is stopping it retracting. This can be something as simple as sand or grit or as a result of a drop or knock. In most cases the camera will need to be stripped apart to remove the lens assy before it can be repaired. This is best left to a professional camera repair shop.

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:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

I just had the same issue when one of my children drop the camera. I'm not wanting to break anyone's camera but I was able to open the lens cover and pull the lens out and then turning it on it retracted and worked just like it should.

If the lens does not extend/retract when the camera is powered on, then lens assembly is damaged.

Unfortunately, such Canon SX100 (and the SX110 too) has a very fragile lens assembly, and it's damaged very easily. Most of the times the internal gears, the plastic post guides and the motor are damaged at the same time, so the only solution is to replace the whole lens assembly.

The lens replacement requires a qualified camera repair technician, unless you want to try in repair it yourself, which requires tools (scredrivers, soldering iron, desoldering tool, magnifier glass with light, etc).

Best regards,

Marcus, usually this is caused by some dirt or some parts of the lens mechanis may have been derailed due to impact or brakage.

what you want to do here is turn the camera on, and gently nudge the lens left to right or up and down.

if this did not work, you may also try to push the lens inwards or pull it out, just to check if the lens is stuck or the motor to make the lens go in and out is not operational anymore...

if you have more questions just lemme know

Hey GeorgiaPlum,
What is most likely happening is there is damage to the lens or the lens mechanism and you should have the camera looked at by an authorized service technician. I will say that digital camera repairs often exceed the value of the camera, but it can't hurt to get an estimate done. I hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Allan
Go Ahead. Use Us.

well **** that doesnt sound complicated or anything.

I have the same problem, but i didnt drop mind. The lens where out when i put on da pack and now it won't start.