LCD screen blank when camera is turned on. lens keep cycling in and out as if it is attempteing to focus.Sometimes LCD comes up blurred if an attempt is made to takea a photograph it comes out blurred.

You don't need to drop a camera to get a lens error. Could be anything, from holding the camera in a wrong way (touching the lens barrel) or a bit of dust in the barrel or a gear, or a gear that breaks off. If the lens retracts correct when the camera is switched of, and comes out to the full extend when it is switched on, you should think everything is in working order. But when you say, the screen looks ver blurry that could be an indication, the lens is not coming out correct, or the focus mechanics does not work correct. I'm afraid you have to bring the camera in to a service centre (or buy a new one) if you can't solve this, by again take out the battery, charge the battery and reinsert the battery.

If the camera was operating properly before the zoom error then the most common problem to a stuck lens is dirt getting stuck between the two lens barrels. There are a few fixes for this none are guaranteed to solve the problem and should not be attempted if the camera is under any type of warranty. They include removing the batteries for a few minutes, reinstalling the batteries with fresh once with full power, turn the camera on while holding the the zoom button. Another method is to see if you can provide extra power to the focus motor by having the LCD screen turned off. There my be a button that allows you to switch from the viewfinder to the LCD screen switch to the viewfinder and try several times to focus (just point the camera at different distant objects) and attempt to focus the camera. I hope this gives you the results you need because the other suggestions may further damage the camera and are only a (last resort) thing. One is with the camera turned on tap the body on a counter or table edge while trying to zoom the lens obviously in the opposite direction to where it's stuck. The last is to gently push the lens in with the palm of you hand while zooming in. All these are just suggestions and carry no guarantee of working and may further damage the camera. The biggest cause of this problem is dust from a camera bag or some other environmental condition like sand from a beach.

With the lens lock up,you really need to know cameras.The pic on an LCD screen is it?Sometimes to get a focus,you need to hold the picture take button down,maybe about halfway.If that does not work,something is very wrong.Perhaps try taking a couple of photos and see the results.If you desire to attempt to repair it,you will definitely need patience.In the end,you may get frustrated,waste alot of time nd return it anyway.Actually,come to think of it,since it is new,I would contact who you purchased it from,I assume a company not a person?and see what they may do for you.If they do not do anything satisfactory,call Polaroid.When someone answers,immediately ask for a supervisor.The people who answer do not have much authority.A supervisor will get results of some kind.Good luck and I hope you get a free fix.Greg

Hi,

Your Nikon Coolpix 3200 Digital Camera is equipped with a AF assist illuminator which makes focus easier when shooting in darker situations.

In spite of that, on occasion, it is quite possible that the camera will fail to achieve sharp auto-focus.

Point and Shoot cameras use a contrast-based focusing system: this works only when the contrast in the composition is high.

When you press the shutter halfway down the camera attempts to focus, but if it shows red brackets it implies that the focus has not been achieved.
Please take care to note this indication, and if you do not see the Green "Focus Lock" indicator, please attempt to recompose the shot.

Release the shutter, press halfway through again and wait for a focus lock.

The sensor on a P&S camera is very small (about 8-9x smaller in surface area compared to DSLRs)
In low light conditions achieving focus can be a challenge for P&S cameras.
These are technical limitations which are not specific to your camera but common to all cameras in the same segment across various camera manufacturers.

The letters you're referencing is the M/A (manual / auto) focus switch. The lens has this switch and operates in Auto Focus mode when set to "A" and manual focus mode when set to "M".

You have to manually focus on the subject when in letter "M". If you do not, the result will be out of focus. From your description, it sounds like the camera / lens combination is attempting to focus and operate the shutter in auto, and focusing in manual; but due to some type of damage resulting from possible mishandling, exposure to dust, dirt or even moisture is interfering with the successful completion of the process.

You could isolate the problem to determine if the cause is in the lens or camera by simply attaching the lens to another compatible Nikon camera or placing a different auto-focus lens on your D40. The problem will either stay with your D40 or follow the lens when attached to a different camera. It is also *possible* that due to numerous attempts of auto-focusing with your D40 & lens combination, that both the lens *and* the camera have been damaged. If the problem is severe enough, the problem in the failed device could cause failure in the otherwise normally working device, too.

You might be best served by contacting Nikon Service & Support below:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-And-Repair.page

You also said you lost your manual. You can download the manual for the D40 directly from Nikon in your choice of English, French or Spanish from the link below:

http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/14157/session/L3NpZC9YRTgxQVpKag%3D%3D/kw/D40%20manual/p/19%2C334/c/187/r_id/116678/sno/0

Good luck!

Your LCD is only a small preview screen. I have on many occasions tested a camera and viewed on the screen. When you view the image on a computer it is enlarged to a much larger image. If your pictures appear out of focus you may have a bad lens. Set your camera to the highest mega pixel rate and retake some test images. If these are blurred you have a bad lens.

Keep turning the focus dial until it will focus. The focus dial may need to be turned several times in one direction or the other. If the Lens has come off its focusing track inside the camera, you'll need to take it apart and place the lens back on the track. The track are grooves, like a screw, that holds the lens for focusing.

Have you fully charged the new batteries

It sounds like the focus element in your lens is not functioning properly. Does the lens retract completely when you turn off the camera? When you push the button does the camera attempt to focus the image? If you do not see any change in the image when you push the button, and do not hear any sound - then your focus motor is either jammed or malfunctioning. David Millier Advance Camera Repair

There are several factors that can contribute to getting better focus and improved results. 1. Auto Focus / Auto Exposure lock. Press the shutter button down HALF WAY. The camera will attempt to adjust exposure to the current lighting environment for maximum benefit. Then the camera will automatically correct the focus based on objects in the center of the display. If the camera can automatically set the focus and exposure, the LED by the viewfinder will turn GREEN. If the camera can not adjust the settings automatically, the LED will turn RED. This process usually takes about two to three seconds. 2. Be sure not to cover the sensor on the front of the camera with your finger. This will disable the automatic focus and exposure controls. 3. Rely on the Rear LCD Display. When in doubt, trust the LCD. The LCD will display the subject more accurately than the viewfinder. This will help with "framing" the subject, or determining if you have enough light for proper exposure. 4. Motion can cause a "blur" effect. Either motion of the subject, or motion by the photographer. This phenomenon is just like traditional photography. Moving objects may appear to blur, and this will be even more evident in lower lighting situations as the shutter speed slows down to allow for more light. The shutter will react faster in bright light, and motion will not be as apparent.