20 Most Recent Samsung Digimax A40 Digital Camera Questions & Answers

Hi,

This is a common problem. There is a fault within the lens mechanism. The lens error is common for cameras with telescoping lenses.

• You can help the motor by connecting the AV cable --- this keeps the LCD off and not draw power away from the motor.
• Remove the batteries and insert freshly charged batteries.

Few more tricks that you could use :-

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.
Fix #2: If the camera's batteries ran down completely while the its lens was still open, the camera may show a lens error or not start properly when new batteries are installed. Remove the memory card and keep it removed, then install the new batteries. When you turn the camera on with the card removed it may come back to life, as this triggers a reset in some cameras. Error E30 (for older Canon's) means that you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the SD card and turn it on one last time

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra power to help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins back into their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one). Some people also have actually used a "Shop Vac" with this fix to help extend a retracted lens.

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.
Fix #5a: If you actually do notice sand particles stuck in the gaps around the lens barrel, and blowing air does not help to dislodge them, consider using a thin piece of paper or a sewing needle to help dislodge them. Pay particular care not to scratch your lens barrel with the needle. Also, I do not recommend probing too deeply around the lens barrel with the paper (don't go more than a 1 cm or 1/2 in) . Particularly I do not recommend probing deeply around the most outer (largest) lens barrel gap, as you may dislodge the lens barrel dust gasket that's located just inside of that gap.
Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some obvious potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #6a: This is a variation of Fix #6, and should be tried if the lens barrels appears straight (not crooked). In other words, try this if there's no obvious mechanical damage to the lens barrels that's causing the problem. With the lens pointed down, try "gently" tapping around the lens barrels with a small item such as a pencil or a teaspoon. The idea is to try to dislodge any sand particles that may be jamming the lens barrel stuck. Simultaneously try turning the camera on and off as you're doing this.
Fix #7: The most extreme of the fixes. You especially might consider this if the lens barrel appears obviously damaged, bent, or crooked such as from a fall. Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods (see the polls in the right column). HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera. The following photo illustrates unseated guide pins that would cause a lens error.


More tricks :-

Try compressed air. With a fine tip blow off gun and dry compressed air (20 lbs) set the tip between the lens turret and the camera body and turn on the air while moving the tip around the lens. It should remove all dust and sand. Turn the camera on and it should function fine.

Another method is to tap the padded USB cover part on a hard surface, for example, a desk. It sounds so simple, but very often in works.

Try forcing the camera lens:

Turn off the camera. Place it on the back with the lens facing up and take a look at the spacing between the lens and the lens housing. If you notice that the gap is not even all the way around the lens, the problem should be easy to fix. This type of a problem usually occurs if the camera was dropped while the lens was extended.

Simply - VERY GENTLY - press down the lens on the side where the gap is the biggest. You should hear a "click" as it pops back into place. Try powering the camera back on.

If the lens doesn't extend at all or it extends, and then retracts again, do the following. Turn the camera off. Take the camera in one hand and with the other gently take one part of the lens and gently move it round in a circular movement. Do so with both sections of the lens. You will hear a "click" as it pops back in place. Power the camera on.

Another version of this fix would be to pull and twist on the largest ring of the lens while turning the camera on. Listen for a "click". If at first the focus seems to be off, turn the camera on and off and take lots of pictures, close ups and distance. Focus should slowly start improving.


Unfortunately, there is no one good trick. This is a common problem and you could try to use any of the above tricks that you could find it comfortable to use.

The best advise would be to contact the manufacturer and get the camera replaced/repaired if under warranty.If out of warranty and the above tricks would not work, repair is usually not advisable as the cost of repair would be high as compared to the cost of the camera.

Let me know,if needed further assistance.

Hope i helped you.

Thanks for using ' Fixya ' and have a nice day!!

When it can't find a card it might report this as an error. Try putting a card in.

Try NOT connecting your camera to your computer. The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

your computer is unable to see your camera due to a driver missing.

on the card itself there should be a little switch to unlock it

Hello, you can download the driver here : www.nodevice.com/driver/.../Samsung/Digital_Cameras.html
www.downloadatoz.com > Driver

Jay

Hello

You will be able to download the manual HERE.

Kind regards
Andrea

Hello

OK, you will be able to download the manual HERE.

Kind regards
Andrea

The best way is to go into the menu and find "format"...follow the on-screen instructions.

Walmart, Kmart, Radio Shack, Best Buy, etc. Take your camera with you to be sure to get the right size for your camera.

samsung is located in Secaucus, NJ - Samsung USA on the web -

The reason why is because that particular camera does not support memory cards that big.  Samsung only guarantees compatability up to 512MB, but the max I have ever heard working is 1GB.  If you do buy one, make sure it is a sandisk card as these have been tested and guaranteed to work in that camera.  Lexar may also work, but for sure 4GB is to big and is unsupported.  Hope it helps.  Please dont forget to rate!

Connecting the camera to a PC
1. Turn the PC power on.
2. Turn the camera power on.
3. In any mode other than Voice Recording mode, press
the MENU button.
4. Press the LEFT/ RIGHT button and select the [SETUP]
menu tab.
5. Select the [USB] menu by pressing the UP/ DOWN
button and press the RIGHT button.
6. Use the UP and DOWN buttons to select
[COMPUTER], and then press the OK button.
7. Press the menu button twice and the menu will disappear.
8. Connect the PC and the camera via the USB cable.
- Insert the small plug of the USB cable into the camera USB connection terminal.
- Insert the large connector of the USB cable into the USB port of the PC.
- The plugs must be firmly inserted.

note: driver for a40 must be installed in your computer.
you can get it here.

Try taking it out and looking for a white switch. Try flicking it.

I think you need to install a driver/ The H: drive are not detected by this device. Better you change the drive location.

This can be a broken shutter cable inside the lens. Toes it still make the "click" (not from the speaker)?

be sure your lense and autofocus sensors are clean first thing.. then push the take picture button half way and it will autofocus. Pressing hte take picture button fully then will snap the picture.