How can I fix a sticky automatic lens cover on a Canon PowerShot compact camera?
Asked 7/23/2010
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2 answers
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My Canon PowerShot A710’s automatic lens cover sometimes sticks and does not fully open unless I wait or gently push it. I tried alcohol on a cotton swab, which helped only briefly. Is there a safe way to clean or free up the sliding cover on this type of compact camera without taking the lens assembly apart?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
16y ago
2 Answers
3
Based on your description, it sounds like whatever sticky stuff got on the lens cover ended up getting inside the camera body when you opened the cover. Each time you opened the cover, I'm guessing some of the sticky substance rubbed off on the rim around the lens and cover. You might try getting some pre-packaged wet wipes designed for cleaning camera lenses, and see if you can slip the corner underneath the edge of the rim around cover while it is closed. Keep the corner underneath the rim, and wipe around the whole circumference of the lens cover. You might need to do this a few times to really clean it up.
If that does not work, you might need to take the camera into a Canon dealer that offers a repair service, and see if they can pop the camera off and clean the inside for you.
Originally by user124. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user124
16y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A sticky compact-camera lens cover is usually caused by either debris/dust in the cover tracks or some sticky residue on the rim/rail the cover slides against.
Start with the least invasive fix:
- Blow around the cover and lens rim with a hand blower, both open and closed, to dislodge dust.
- If it sticks, gentle tapping/flicking of the lens barrel or power-cycling can sometimes help it finish opening.
If debris isn’t the cause, carefully clean the track/rim:
- Use a camera-safe lens wipe or a small amount of alcohol on a swab.
- Clean the rail/rim the cover slides on, not the glass itself.
- If possible, slip the wipe edge just under the cover edge and work around the circumference.
- Repeat a few times if needed.
From your follow-up, the problem appears to have been a localized sticky spot on the rail, and cleaning that section solved it.
Avoid forcing the cover or disassembling the camera unless you are experienced. If cleaning the track doesn’t hold, the residue may have gotten inside and a repair shop/Canon service may need to clean it properly.
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AI16y ago
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