Sony Powershot G9 - Lens won't retract

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 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:

Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote about How toget a Digital Camera Lens to work again

Steps toRepair a Digital Camera Lens
heatman101

Definitely worth fixing, the G9 is an amazing camera and many will argue it is better than most of the other models that came out after. Since you have a Powershot, you can have it repaired through www.camerasandparts.com They just deal with the Canons and they are not expensive at all. It runs $89 for everything if you just get their lens error service package. They cover parts, labor, servicing of the whole camera, with shipping back included for $89. The best part, they do outstanding work on the Powershots. If you're going to have it serviced, I would go through them. Ultimately you'd need to decide if it's worth the $89 to have a good backup camera, if not I'll take it off your hands. In all honesty, the G9's are great cameras, don't think twice. Have it serviced and enjoy the camera again. That would be my advice.

The camera is experiencing a lens error and needs to be serviced. Try restarting it a couple of times first but if that won't work, just have it serviced. The site that is great for help with these is: www.camerasandparts.com All they deal with are problems on the powershot cameras and they are wonderful if you need help with one of these. All the best with the problem, that's a nice camera.

Hi,

This error occured when lens is prevented from properly extending or retracting. When pressure is applied to the lens or the area surrounding the lens while handling the camera. The error may also be displayed due External shock or liquid, sand & dirt etc. enters the camera.

Avoid applying pressure to the lens and surrounding area:

1) Do not touch Lens while shooting.
2) Make sure the camera is off before the camera is placed back in the case.

If you cannot clear the error code by turning the camera OFF and then ON again then your device need to be repaired.

Have a nice day Rating the solution is highly appreciated.

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.

I have fixed my g9 twice with the lens problem. 1st time I dropped the camera on asphalt lens closed. Turned on, lens stuck and not forcusing or retracting. Solution was to press lens against a door frame and push as I turned off the camera...it worked. The next time,the lens was extended and would not retract I had to place the camera on its back on a book while I used a small block of wood and a small hammer. It worked camera is working fine. After both cases, it took about 5 shots to calibrate the auto focus.

Lens error is usually caused by mechanical faults concerning lens assembly. The lens cannot extend or retract fully, the error is detected and lens error is returned.
Sometimes this can be fixed playing with the lens during extraction or retraction to help the lens asset getting back to normal.
More often the camera lens must be disassembled and re-assembled by a technician to fix the problem.

Lens error is usually caused by mechanical faults concerning lens assembly. The lens cannot extend or retract fully, the error is detected and lens error is returned.
Sometimes this can be fixed playing with the lens during extraction or retraction to help the lens asset getting back to normal.
More often the camera lens must be disassembled and re-assembled by a technician to fix the problem.

I was told it happens when the battery is low