Lens Jam My G6 turned on accidentally in its case and the lens tried to extend but was forced to stop. Now, when I turn the camera on, the lens makes a ratcheting sound and gets halfway before stopping. It beeps and says "LENS" on the top LCD screen, before powering off. I've been quoted £160 just to have it looked at which is half the value of the camera! Does any one know how to open one of these up (safely) and what to do when you get inside to fix the problem?! Many thanks

Hi Cayley,

Typically, when an electronic or electro-mechanical device - such as a computer or as in this case - your camera - is powered up; it goes through a "boot up" so to speak. Like your computer, the camera electronics performs some quick, basic checks on the electronic and mechanical systems during the boot up sequence. This often includes checking for the presence of a memory card, battery charge state, connection to a computer via USB cable - and - checking the lens position; and if it can be extended and reversed to a "home" position or not.

Because you're seeing a "lens" message, this is a clue that the camera boot up sequence has detected some sort of problem with the lens. Most often, the problem is tied to the lens not moving or not moving *fully* due to grit or sand lodged between 1) moving parts of the lens or 2) between moving parts of the lens and the stationary parts of the camera body itself. When you turn on the camera, does the lens move in and out - like it did before? If not, that is probably the cause. You can 1) send the camera to be repaired by Canon, 2) have a local repair shop attempt to fix it, 3) replace the camera with new - if it is older than a few years as it may not be worth the cost of investing $$ in old technology - or if this option is your plan, 4) attempt repair yourself. You have nothing to lose - you can try to help the lens extend by pulling while it s"boots" up if it is retracted - or pushing in on it if stuck in an extended position. That is the NORMAL test at boot - to extend then fully retract. You may get it to work, abd save the cost of repair or replacement - or you could damage the mechanism even more.

I hope this helps & good luck!

Hi,

Is the lens totally stuck? Does it even move a little? Did you try to power cycle the camera?

The lens is damaged and needs to be replaced. Sometimes with use or maybe an accidental hit to the lens can cause a malfunction to the camera resulting in that error. Also if you for example took the camera to the beach, getting something like sand in the camera can jam up the lens and prevent it from fully extending or retracting.

Btw, I’m available to help over the phone in case u need at https://www.6ya.com/expert/mike_005777b2fc6bfc30

Not the battery. Sounds like your typical Lens problem. Probably a grain of sand or debris
got into the lens mechanism or the camera got a good shaking or lens jam. Happens
sometimes when you use a case for the camera. Camera turns on accidentally while in the
case can cause this too. I never recommend cases for this reason. There are temorary
remedies where you can tap the lens barrel with a pencil, but it may or maynot help.
Best solution is to take it in for repairs or replace the lens yourself if you feel comfortable doing it.

Hi,


"E18"indicates an error that involves the lens unit or lens cover in your camera .This error appears where the lens is prevented from properly extending or retracting .The error may also be displayed if the lens camera has been subjected to an external shock, or if a foreign substance (i.e. liquid, sand, dirt) enters the camera.Hold the camera so that your fingers do not touch the lens unit when you are shooting. Make sure the camera is off before the camera is placed back in the case. Exercise caution to ensure that the camera does not accidentally power on while the camera is stored inside the case.If you cannot clear the error code by turning the camera off and then on again, or if the error code is displayed frequently, a camera malfunction may have occurred and might require service from canon.Or else try pressing the power button on and held it down while extending the zoom lens. The lens will extend out and the camera will be freed from the error.

Thank you !!

Hi,

"E18" indicates an error that involves the lens unit or lens cover in your camera .This error appears where the lens is prevented from properly extending or retracting .The error may also be displayed if the lens camera has been subjected to an external shock, or if a foreign substance (i.e. liquid, sand, dirt) enters the camera.Hold the camera so that your fingers do not touch the lens unit when you are shooting. Make sure the camera is off before the camera is placed back in the case. Exercise caution to ensure that the camera does not accidentally power on while the camera is stored inside the case.If you cannot clear the error code by turning the camera off and then on again, or if the error code is displayed frequently, a camera malfunction may have occurred and might require service from canon. Or else try pressing the power button on and held it down while extending the zoom lens. The lens will extend out and the camera will be freed from the error.

Thank you !!

The three beeps mean that the lens motor is unable to extend the lens assembly.
This could be due to a low battery situation, but the most likely cause is the lens drive train stuck or jammed. You'll find generic instructions on solving some cases of jamming here.
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

Unfortunately, more serious cases (due to falls, shocks, and most of all, the camera being turned on while some resistance prevents the lens from extending: e.g., if the camera accidentally turns on while in a pocket) require the repair shop.

Assuming that the battery is OK, the most likely cause for this behaviour is an out-of-kilter lens drive. If you are lucky it's just some dirt or grit jamming the lens. Try blowing some compressed air in the lens grooves, or place the camera with unextended lens down and gently tap it to dislodge any dust or sand. Repeat while lens is extending. If this fails, GENTLY try to help the lens extend. Do not force (you risk permanent damage to the lens, assuming there is no damage now). If the lens rotates while extending, still gently try to help it to rotate, twisting in the direction of rotation.

Unfortunately, it's possible that the lens drive is actually damaged and can't be realigned manually. In this case the camera will need to be repaired. Also, even if you succeed in refitting the lens - you'll hear a slight "click" and the lens will start working happily - you'll need to exercise extra care in case the drive is no longer up to spec.

Unfortunately, "extending lens" cameras are very sensitive to accidents such as turning on while something is blocking the lens from extending fully. In most cases there's an overload sensor which will retract the lens and power off the camera - but sometimes the overload will have damaged the internal drive train, which is often (not very cleverly, in my opinion) made of plastic instead of metal.

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,

(EX-S100) You need a new lens assembly. I know this from experiece because I have the same camera and it tried to extend while in its case as well. I found that there are plastic gears that extend this lens assembly and that they are basically destroyed when the lens assembly is not allowed to extend on power-up. I have searched for a replacement part with little success. I found one repair shop that would ship me the part for more than the original cost of the camera. Good Luck!