Nikon 5700 Lens Error
Today my Nikon Coolpix 5700 died with a lens error. This problems seems to be one of the biggest issues with this camera.
I first tried to fix the issue myselves. When turning off the camera, the lens also goes back inside the camera. I tried to push a bit and hope that the gears would pick up again. Unfortunately not and the system still made the same rattling sounds.
Because I knew about the problem, I actually searched the internet last week for the prices of the ur-e8 adapter. This adapter, which is primarely used to attach the various tele and wide angle convertors, can also be used to protect the lens when it is out of the camera. Together with Bernie’s 72mm Thread Adaptor (Part # NP0030) it will also protect the lens. Unfortunately I’m too late now. I hope it will be fixed soon. I send if of to the supplier which will send it to Nikon repair. They think it will at least take up to 15 working days before its repaired. I should be under guarantuee (till 22 november actually!)
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I had a lens error also. Then lens would not move. I removed the battery for about 5 min and turned the camera back on and it started working again. I have an adapter.. I do not use it every time. What is the root cause of the problem? Does anybody know?
Also, got a lens error today on this 60-day old camera. From what I've seen on web searches, this is a design problem (among others) with this camera. These vaunted Nikon optics are only great if you can use the camera!
the problem is that the design of the gears is not strong enough, or maybe a kind of lens-lock is missing to protect the gear box
Found your site after doing a Google search for "Lens Error".
Problem happened just within the warranty period for my 5700. I talked to a person named Murray at Nikon Tech. Of course, he had not heard of this problem before so Nikon is not admitting that the gear set is weak.
Interestingly, he was not interested in either performing a search for lens error on Google or having me send him a list of URL's. Instead, he simply dismissed me by saying "I don't know what you have heard on the internet, but this is an isolated problem".
We are on our own when it happens out of warranty.
Look's like I've just found the information I needed. Unfortunately. Yesterday when taking my 5700 out of it's case I was too hasty switching it on and the case fouled the lens causing a nasty rattling noise. Now the lens won't extend. I am very disappointed. I bought the camera based on Nikon's reputation and I thought I was getting a well built camera.
Had the 5700 13 months when the flash refused to work. Jerks at Nikon wanted over $300 to fix it.
Now I keep it as a spare - back to Canon as my camera company!!!!!!!!!
Same here 5700. LENS ERROR. Mine is jammed halfway. I'm still searching...
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Toronto
Day before Fathers Day and bingo. Lens error and grinding. I use the UR8 and Nikon filter adapter. Didnt seem to help my problem from occurring. 4 months out of waranty, I have to sent it on to Nikon service now. If enough complaints get posted, I can give them to Nikon and ask them to reimburse the expenses for fixing this cheap part which should be recalled.
My Coolpix 3100 is about 6 months past warranty and just went into a "Lens Error". My brother also has an older model Coolpix than mine and also has experienced the same problem. I'm sure Nikon has heard of this by now and has probably chosen not to fix it since it seems to be occurring in even more expensive models than mine. I agree, there should be a recall. If I am forced to buy another, it will surely not be a Nikon.
Missing my old SLR...
Got back my Coolpix 5700 from Nikon today. Cost: $225.18! Stupid thing accidentally turned on when putting it in the NIKON approved case. No where for the lens to go so it jammed. Gears were replaced. Plastic junk inside.
Always had a Nikon and never trouble like this. Nikon should not sink to new lows to try to stay competitive with junk quality.
Got back my Coolpix 5700 from Nikon today. Cost: $225.18! Stupid thing accidentally turned on when putting it in the NIKON approved case. No where for the lens to go so it jammed. Gears were replaced. Plastic junk inside.
Always had a Nikon and never trouble like this. Nikon should not sink to new lows to try to stay competitive with junk quality.
My Nikon 5700 camera is 2 months beyond my year's warranty. Within the warranty period, my flash stopped popping up - had to return it to Nikon to fix it. Now I've just gotten an Lens Error message. The lens retracted almost all the way, but not quite. Not happy about this.
Our Coolpix 5700 had the lens gears replaced twice under warranty, and now the thing has broken again just two months past warranty expiration. This is ridiculous. Nikon is supposed to be the best, so why don't they recall this obviously flawed lens system???
This is the second time my 5700's lens has gotten stuck. I put the battery in and nothing. Canon is way better...I'm done with Nikon.
Today I turned on my Nikon 5700 Cool Pix Camera and heard a gritty sound before realizing that the lens were stuck. I turned off the camera but the lens remained partially extended and would not retract. When I tried to turn it on again A MESSAGE APPEARED IN RED "LENS ERROR". I have had the camera for 18 months.
Any recommendations?
Barrington
Hi!!
After dropping my husband's camera I got the lens error message.
!!! I don't know anything about cameras. So I searched on the net and found you guys.
More I read more scared I got. Problem with no solution!!!!!
Well I tried charging the battery but nothing changed.
After a couple of prays I started fooling around with the lens. A sound like a pop happened and then the camera started working again.
Looks like the fall made the lens go to the side of the camera and it got stuck there.
When I moved it the lens whet back to the center position.
I'm so happy now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me too me too! Yeah yeah, same story, different sucker. I accidentally turned my 5700 on while it was in the case. I had reached inside to search for my spare compact flash card. You already know the outcome (Lens Error – Surprise!). Looks like we're all in the same boat. There is definitely one option for those of us who have been screwed out of our money; it’s called “Class Action”. I am sure there will be (or has been) some attorney on this site with the same issue that would love to get paid with such an open and shut case. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the Nikon optics but come on, them not owning up to this obvious flaw is lame. So, in conclusion, if there’s a lawyer out there interested in taking this case (which I am sure affects thousands @ $200-$300 each, in just repair cost alone) please feel free to add me (Judah Stroud - $285.00) to your C.A. lawsuit. For the rest of y’all, I’m sorry you too have reached this page in anticipation of some simple resolution and found that all you’ll receive is a little solace knowing you’re not alone.
Sincerely,
Judah Stroud
ME too, Nikon 5700 lens error. Just out of warranty by less than two weeks.
Vicki France
Anyone have Nikons telephone number?
How long is the usual warranty period? Where does one take the camera first? Dealer?
My warrenty was 1 year and I first took the camera to a dealer. It was back within a week without any cost!
Add me to the list of owners of the 5700 with the "Lens Error". Happened to me last night.
$300 for a repair? Not Happy.
Was thinking about a new camera in about 18 months, but with this problem I guess it will be advanced a little sooner. The 5700 lasted for a few weeks past 2 years. The only complaint I had was the low light performance of the camera. Was looking at a true digital SLR as the replacement to the 5700. Wonder if they have upgraded the lens gears in the 8800 model?
Michael
I've had my 5700 about 22 months. I just came back from a 2 week trip to Inida. Sunday I went to a 1/4 scale train meet with just unbeleiviable shots and I get my camera out and "LENS ERROR". I too have gotten a price of 300.00, I'm very disappointed in Nikon.
I guess at this point I have to move on and realize I got a lemon. I'm thinking of the D70 so I can use my lens off my Nikon 35mm, any comments...?
Hi!!!
So YAY. You know why I am here, camera somehow turned on in my bag.
Look ppl, I work for a duty free store and now I have had enough with Nikon, the colours aren't as good as other cameras and their service is awful. I bought my camera in Copenhagen a while back and soon after I got a "Hot Pixel" in the middle of the picture. Under warranty? sure was, had it about a month, would they fix it in Australia? No way.
So now I have this problem and finally have cracked the shits. Don't look for another model. Look for another brand. I have tried many canon cameras and they are much, much better in every way (including price)
PS.. Nikon just slashed their prices again to stay competetive. Does that mean cheaper parts and crappier service. I would bet.
Ditto!!
Nikon 3700 went lens error on its own after 3 months.Under guarantee but they reckon I dropped it and want 100 euros to fix it.It cost 300.Gutted from Portugal.
wow... this is sad.. and I'm stung HARD.. I have the BRAND NEW Nikon CoolPix 8800... Less than 3 days old "LENS ERROR" right before the Thanksgiving Holiday. And I didn't do anything to the camera. I took a few shots.. powered it back on later to take a few more and.. it was over. The thing was hanging around my neck the whole time.
Add Mark Copeland in Miami, Florida to the class action lawsuit too.
5700. Lens Error after about 6 months. Same again a month later.
In both cases nothing stressfull done to th camera. In both cases taking out the battery for a few hours and then replacing it followed by ejecting and replacing the CF card (with camera powered up) fixed the problem.
Still very unhappy though, so shipped it back to Nikon (under warranty). Who knows what (if anything) they did to it as it was working when I shiped it out. Got it back yesterday with a cryptic invoice from Svc people. Cost $181 - reduced to zero as warrany still in force.
I expect this will happen again! ;-(
I wonder if the Coolpix 8700 and 8800 also have this problem? Does anyone know?
Does anyone know if Nikon will recall cameras that have this problem??
I was just going to send in my Coolpix 3100 to see what it would cost to fix. I may not bother and just get a Canon. No more cheap cameras! They cost more in the long run - I had a Kodak die on me first.
Hi,
Yesterday I got the red message "Lens Error" in my 2 months old Coolpix 2200.
As I can see it means: "BAD NEWS"
Let's try to get the Brazilian Nikon dealer (there is only one here) to "start the figth"
Thanks,
Jone.
Cannot believe so many people have the same "Lens Error" problem. I got my Nixon 3700 7 weeks ago and battery needed to be recharged although i didnt recharge it fully lens error popped up as soon as i turned it on. Im over careful with my gadgets and i know i did not drop it. Guess im joing a long queue of pissed off people. Thing is mine was a gift from Ireland and i have now moved to Japan. Bummer
I'm Mark that posted November 19, 2004 03:32 PM... just as a recap I had a Nikon CoolPix 8800 that failed with "lens Error" (just like Robin's of Dec 21st)... being close to Thanksgiving, to be frank I got really pissed and thought if it's going back I'll make sure it's "malfunctioning".. gave it a !whack! (nothing crazy... think of a microwave door closing)on the lens with the cap on (cam powered on so lens would extend)... it's been working ever since.
PS; took some great Thanksgiving day pics anyway.
PPS: above discribed method was performed by a professional angry person... please don't try this at home.
Looks like I have the same situation than everyone else "lens error".
I have a Nikon 5700.
Should be a way to get Nikon to fix this problem because is the most common isuue in this camera.
If anyone knows any acction is being taken for this, please drop me a line
Nikon is gone! Mitsubishi is broke.
It took over 8 months to repair my 5700, guess what? It still doesn’t work, this is my second one, the first one failed after 2 weeks. The worst part is they damaged it during the repairs, bunch of f@#k heads!
A Sony would have been better!
I am getting very worried now folks. I have had my 5700 for four months now and have had the lens error fault three times. Guess compaired to some I'm lucky as turning off and back on again fixed it. Having said that there was no reason for the error as I am very careful with my camera.
I also hate the way this camera performs in low light conditions....it simply doesn't, I have to use another camera. The Nikon is rubbish.
Reading this forum it's looking more likely that I will buy myself the Canon digital Rebel....unless someone knows better.
I have had my Coolpix 3700 for four months now and today I got "Lens Error" message. I was taking pictures of my secretary and my camera died on me at the most interesting moment……I guess I should sue Nikon for emotional distress too…………..hahahah.
Alex!
Recently bought the Coolpix 8800 and had it abroad on holoiday with me over Christmas. One monring I switched on and the LCD display said "lens error". The camera had worked fine 60 minutes before and nothing had been done to it. Tried the usual route of taking battery out, setting defaults, removing CF card etc. No good. The camera was dead for some 4 days each day showing the same error. Then after about 4 days I switched it on and no problem.
Anyone know what the cause of this is?
Hi people,
Same fucking story here. Had my 3700 for 6 weeks. Camera was bought in Turkey But I live in Australia (looks like I'm the turkey). The biggest turkey of course is NIKON. Yes they've ripped everyone off with their cheap parts. WILL WE STAND FOR IT? NO FUCKING WAY! How do we get in touch with the people in charge? Because I know they wouldn't be happy about the amount of customers that they will lose if they don't do something Quick!..Recall? I think this is their only choice if they dont want to lose their Increasingly shaky reputation. I just hope nikon has read this post. ADD ME TO THE LAWSUIT!
Sincerely,
Tim Addison
NIKON HEAD OFFICE telephone number: +81 3 3214 5311.(In Japan)
nikon 3100.
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I have sent it back to nikon 3 times with the same bloody lens error.... It returns fixed then within a shirt time..the same problem again..
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They replaced it this 3rd time.....& hey presto!! within 3 weeks the same problem!
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Lens error. Bah Nikon i say..
nikon 3100
My 3100 indicated "lens error" information yesterday and stop working. And then I'm here. So it seems the cheapest way for me it to dump this Nikon, right? Oh my....I know at least another friend had the same problem with his 5700. Nikon really sucks.
I have got the same error. I have found a www which sells Coolpix 5700 lens and zoom gears (www.huroncamera.com). I have bought this items but I do not know how to replace them. Can anyone help me?
Well... guess what. I took three pictures of my kids playing, turned the camera off and then back on again to show my husband the shots... and LENS ERROR. What a piece of crap. Three pictures? Thats like $150 per photo. Not worth it. I bought Nikon because I THOUGHT it was a quality brand, but I will not make that mistake again. I think I am going to try throwing it down the stairs to fix it. Unfortunately it is not under warranty any longer. :(
Here is my 2 cents... I bought a coolpix 3100 on 12/28/03 from best buy at Waterford Lakes in Orlando Florida.. Just about two weeks after the 1 year warranty expired, 1/14/05, the camera went haywire... Everything works except when put into Camera Mode.. The Lens extends, then immediately retracts and the Camera shuts off.. During the time The camera turns on and then off, the LCD displays a blank screen, and then a ~100ms flash of a square image that is about a quarter the size of the lcd and the image is rotated about 30 degrees, and is in the top right of the lcd. After it flashes on and off, the camera shuts off..
I took it to best buy and was forced to pay a small fee for them to send it away and waited a couple weeks to hear how much it will be to fix it. I am told it will be $172 to fix... SO, tonight I became a bit suspicious and decided to see if this is a common problem with their camera and perhaps to check if there is a scam going on with Nikon. If I refuse to pay for them to fix the camera and decide to buy a new one, then they keep the camera, do a simple fix, and resell it. I will not let that happen, and will instead tell them to send me back the camera and then buy a new one.
I believe there is something going on with the cameras. I beleive the problem is known internally throughout Nikon, however, since it is a Japanese company, there is little that can be done.
These cameras are probably assembled in China by the lowest bidder, and the bidder decided to use a different part than what was required so they can make more money assembling the camera. Now that the cameras are breaking, Nikon probably cut any more deals from the bidder, however, Nikon will not admit this because they do not want to be known for rubberstamping their cameras from a Chinese assembler, so they are sweeping the dirt under the rug...
I'm quite interested to see and read what else goes on with Nikon Cameras.. Hope this bit of Info is useful, and if there is any case, email me and let me know, I want in...
Steve R
I used to be a NIKON fan for awhile. Had a CP 950 for years and was happy with it. Then "upgraded" to the 5700 and in less than a year the problem started: Lens would not extend all the way, zoom no longer worked and made a grinding noise and, eventually, the dreaded "Lens Error" message. I had never dropped the camera or otherwise mishandled it. I was frustrated and bought the Canon Powershot Pro1. What a difference! Well, I guess I can still use the 5700 as a nice looking paper weight.
Ron
I brought my camera two years paid $1400.00 for it. Brought 300.00 SB Flash, 170.00 telephoto len and just spent 300.00 to fix lens error and its been 1 month and now I camera does nto turn on. Oh forgot to mention the 90.00 backpack to protect the camera so I don't have problems with it. I think for over the $2000.00 I spend that I would have a camera that works. I have owned Minlota's, Pentex, Sony, and Canon camera's and not one time did I ever had to repair them and I only paid $500.00 for the Camera. I waited a long time to own a Nikon Digtial to only be very disappointed with it. I will never buy Nikon brand again because thier service stinks and thier cameras are junk. I am going back to Canon Brand. Just had lens error fixed paid 300.00 and its only been 30 days and 50 pictures later and they want another $300.00 to fix it again.I will be damn if I give them another penny. Please anyone have any Idea's who I can contact to fix my camera. I don't want to put any more money into this peice of junk I will take a hammer to it before I put 1 more penny to make it work. Canon I am coming back.
I bought the Nikon 3100 last Christmas (2003). Exactly after a year, I got lens error! It was a mistake to buy Nikon.
I have a 3100, 5 months old, lens stuck out, and camera reading sytem error and lens error.
It's still under warranty, so hopefully will be fixed. I knew I should have stuck to my massive Olympus e10!
I've had my coolpix 5700 for two years now and got the same lens error as the rest of you guys here!!
I have a 5 years extended warranty from Mack Camera so I hope that I will get it fixed for shipping costs only.
Thanks a lot,
In fact I had made up my mind to buy Nikon Coolpix 5700 and was searching for best deal. I came across this site, now I am not going to touch Nikon even if it is offered free!
My zoom unit was protected by a Nikon filter adapter ring and a Nikon UV filter, but I got the lens error.
I have paid 312EUR (400$) to the Nikon Repair Centre in Spain (Finicon) in order to fix the Coolpix 5700 lens error. They have replaced all the zoom unit.
It was a mistake to buy Nikon. It was a mistake to repair the camera.
I bought a 5700 in Spain, where I am from, and got the damned lens problem too. I paid 1200 euros for it, but I am not taking it to be fixed since this is what Nikon wants, I will do what they don't want: buy a CANON.
Suprised found so many same problems here.
Had "lense error" 1 month ago. Working again after taking out the battery away for half day. Hear a noise when zooming back everytime. Today "lense error" again. no hope.
what is with the nikon ad on this page,after finding this error info i thought i would apply firm but gentle pressure on the lense while it retracted,works fine now and the twoo other times it happend.It is probably the way nikon does it? nice blog by the way.
Well, after being lifetime customer of Nikon from back in the Nikon FE manual camera days to the newer 8008s slr I moved to digital Nikon 5700. It's been a good camera for over a year but a while ago the lens started acting strange, extending with a bump when I used telephoto. Now it just comes up with lens error. I'm not going to spend $300 dollars to fix this thing. Their tech support has always sucked. And after reading all these entries I'm unlikely to stick with Nikon gear. This is going to be a pr nightmare for them.
oh great... this isnt what i wanted to hear...mine came up with the dreaded lens error msge today for the first time... its now working again but for how long!
I had turned off to save battery and 2 mins later without even putting it down lens error..ferfuksake!
I received the 3100 as a christmas gift in Dec '03. The first time I had to deal with Nikon, they had my camera for about 3-4 months before the vendor replaced it free of charge because I was still WAITING FOR A QUOTE. Two months later, when they sent me a quote, I refused.
After about a year with the new camera, I now have the infamous lens error. I've searched the web, and I see it's pretty much hit or miss if you're able to fix it on your own. My poor lens extends about 1 millimeter before retracting, repeating a couple of times, then calling it quits. I might have to get erectile dysfunction medicine for the poor camera and call it a night...
Add one more to the list. I've had my 5700 long enough to be out of warranty and I have had the lens error several times as a result of the lens cap cord getting pinched because I put the lens cap on before I shut it off. But the last time that it happened it cost me $225 (American).
Funny thing is I have a friend who is looking for a digital camera. I was recommending the 5700 but now I will just send him a link to this site! Suck on that Nikon!!!
Oh, and I have a few more friends and I belong to a group that has a group email address, I get get this link to 100 email associates in one fell swoop. Maybe Nikon monitors this site (one would hope?). Maybe the rest of you should do what you can to put the word out there. Maybe Nikon won't make it right for us, but we can make it right for them.
Same problem. Thougt i was the only one!
Just after a year during hollidays.
Does this sound familiar:
Nikon Coolpix 3100
13 months old
lens error
My previous Coolpix 2500 did the same thing and I was silly enough to buy another!
What a sorry state of affairs that a company should prosper whilst having so many disappointed customers!
My Coolpix 3100 stopped working (lens error) at my neice's wedding. Later I fiddled with the lens and got it to work for a week. NOw it has failed and doesn't seem to want to revive. Mine, too is only about 16 months old. Glad I wasn't on vacation when it went. So, what camrea does anyone recommend?
Must be a 3100 problem, mine had always made crunchy noises beforehand when in macro mode.I dropped it whilst the lens was extended last night and it got stuck and i got the lens error msge.I did what the other person who dropped
the camera did and fiddled with lens and hit it into place and it went back and the lens error message went away.Now it turns on normally i can take photos all great and normal.But when I turn it off it makes some really crunchy noises and doesnt turn off straight away and i get the "lens error" again.
Its a shame because the camera itself is great,Ive had a canon and a nikon,both have had many problems,I just had the canon repaired.The only camera ive never had any problems with is my first digiam an olympus.
Hi folks, I'm the same Mark that posted Nov19th and Dec22nd... the guy that got so angry with "lens error" I gave my (just released) $900+ Nikon Coolpix 8800, a firm whack of about five pounds falling about 8inches from the ground. I thought I would come back and say if that camera wasn't under warantee I would NEVER have tried that. I've gotten emails from people that read my post tried it and it seems to work for everyone bold enough to risk it. But I don't advise it.
That said I also thought I'd let all of you know in April.. six months and over 2000 pictures later, the Nikon Coolpix 8800 is still going strong without a problem since.
.... and that I look forward to my next CANON digital camera :-)
PS. I'm sad to hear that this is still happening to so many people because I know how bad I felt.
Same problem here,
We've had a 5700 here at work for over a year, and all of a sudden it's getting the Lens Error. I didn't reccomend it before this happened because of very poor low light quality and lack of decent focus, but I'll steer people far away from now on. I think Nikon's trying to boost their profits with service payments. The parts at the website mentioned earlier seem to amount to about $12. I'll probably try to fix it myself to save the headache of sending it away.
Thanks for the resource!
Up until today I turned my Nikon on a said "I love my Nikon" but Just as I was checking for new gadgets to buy for my 5700, I turned it on and bang - click click click - lens error. Reading the above doesn't fill me with glee and although my post is perhaps of no help to anyone I thought I should add one to help boost the numbers of this seemingly very common fault. Thank you Janco for making this site available. Now Im off to see if my Mack warrenty is worth the paper its written on...
hi, bought nikon 5700 may, 2003, broke on honeymoon 2weeks later in Sydney, lens error. un der warranty, nikon fixed, six months later the camera crapped-out again, they replaced the CCD, now after warranty is up, my pop-up flash quit this week, have to use this lame camera in flash-off mode. After finding this site, will not fix, will switch to canon, include my name in any class action law suit.MC
Hi,
I got my second hand coolpix 5400 couple of days ago and I was kindly surprised by the quality of the pictures that I've taken until today when I realised that I've joined the bloody "lens error" club. It makes me just hate Nikon and their ignorance by not doing anything about it. However, it seems to me that there dozens of cameras with a lense error problem. That the camera is out of warranty doesn't make me feel any f**** better. I am so frustrated and pissed off. Any practical tricks or suggestions will be very appreciated.
Ben C.
I just bought the 5700 last night.After seeing this site today i am calling the company and canceling my order.
Got my lens error yesterday.
No way out it seems.
Nikons seem to be filled with plastic wheels, as I have seen with my old 990, which I dissected thoroughly after it deceased in a real high drop from a hotel bed onto the carpet.
Walter.
And another one, it's my nikon 5700. All of a sudden, the lens did not want to move after it worked fine a few minutes ago. What happened Nikon??? I read through this read and found that people can only use nikon 5700 for around +- 2yrs until the "lens error" occurs. I don't know whether others used the camera often or not but I only used it sometimes.
The repair service is too expensive. I don't know it's worth to send it to be repaired or to add a couple hundred dollars on top of the repair cost to buy a better version.
The "Lens Error" problem happened on many Nikon 5700 cameras and counting. This is definitely a flaw and I want to protest for a "Free Repair Service for Lens Error" slogan.
A few months ago, my 3700 (within warranty) developed the "lens error" problem after the lens retracted accidentally while something was brushing against it. From reading the comments on this web site, I knew exactly how to report my problem to Nikon service, and they fixed the problem for free within a week of receiving it. Thanks for the valuable information.
I get the same problem with my Nikon "Foolpix" 5700. Great photos and then the lens error message. I originally thought it was due to harsh treatment during fieldwork, now I see it is a generic problem that Nikon should have the sense to fix for free. If it was a car it would have been recalled. I get the lens error message regularly, usually apparently fixed by turniung the camera off and on agian, but occasionally I need to take the battery out and re-insert it. I don't think the pics I am taking are as good as they were originally, and focussing on close-up things is more tricky.
I am in favour of a class action, or at the very least a letter signed by dozens of people that should be sent to Nikon and give them 28 days to rectify the mistakes at their expense (including those now out of warranty). f they don't agree we should jointly write to camera mags - I doubt if they receive many letters on such a high profile camera company that are signed by say 100 people.
Good luck to you all
Phil
My daughter came home from college with the 6 month old Coolpix 2200 she got for Christmas. As soon as I turned it on I saw the "Lens Error" flash on the LCD and knew I was in trouble. She's been very careful with this camera, and I think it's a shame that they made them so cheap. I paid extra for the Nikon lens and reputation for quality. They're still rated at the top by Consumer Reports, but they don't evaluate reliability, like they do for so many other items. I suspect, as others have similar problems, this will change, and Nikon will suffer sales losses.
I just had 2 8700's go down w/ "Lens Error" a few weeks ago... one was about a year old, the other fresh out of the box - might even have been the first picture ever taken with the camera. These were part of a month-long time lapse experiment at Columbia Glacier in Alaska. Compared to the expense of setting up the experiment and the lost data, the cost of the 2 cameras is trivial. Not happy at this point.
I bought Nikon Coolpix 5700 2 years ago, now I got lens error. After reading this forum, I may buy another brand instead of fix this. I will never buy Nikon again in my life. My last Nikon is not very good to. So every body, please don't buy Nikon from now on.
Depends on laws in your country, you can try to return those crappy nikons and you can got money back. I will try it, because im too dissatisfied with this brand, damn! Got three times LENS ERROR in two months :(((
Just a follow up, my 5700 did the lens error thing back in March. After taking out the battery for a while, then rocking the lens back and forth a bit with a screwdriver and inserting the batter back in the lens started working again. It would grind at a certain telescopic extension but if I kept pushing the button it would work its way past that point. Then it got to the point where it would jam at that extension point and wouldn't retract when powering off. I found that by using power assist (my other hand ;) I could pull and push the lens past the jammed points. It does wear the batter down faster and at some point I'm sure even this workaround will fail as the internals get all chewed up. But it's given me 3 more months of use out of a camera I would otherwise throw in the trash.
Don't do any of this if you plan to have your camera repaired!!
On holidays to Russia my brandnew Coolpix 5900, after three days travelling through Latvia, decided to give me this lens error message.
I am on my way to St Petersburg in Russia and very disappointed (worse) that I can't make any photo's anymore on this exclusive tour.
Thank you for having my chance to show my grief on this page.
UK user. Purchased my 5700 december 2002, sent it off yesterday 18 July 2005, but only 2668 pictures, lens error!. Now I find this site, oh how depressing all those years with Canon and not a single fault, even wore out an SLR. EOS 5 15 yrs old and still going. My Pro brother and Nikon enthusiast father persuaded me. I knew I was right your just buying the Nikon badge. 5700 great idea, bad design and implementation.
Have Nikon admited the problem yet?
I'm the Mark that posted
Nov 19,2004
Dec 28,2004
Apr 16,2005
And now my last post. July 20th 2005... Seven months, And many thousands of wonderful pictures (I think my counter was up in the 5 thousands)...
a few weeks ago my SUV was towed and while thankfully my two notebooks where still there, My nikon coolpix 8800 was no where to be found.
You know the story, The towing company claimed it was never in the vehicle.
I had just gotten really comfy with the camera and it's functions (or the lack thereof in low light)... I overcame the dreaded "LENS ERROR" (see Dec 28th post)... But one trip to Niagara, New York and an unfortunate tow and it's all over.
I'm saving up to get a Canon Rebel XT (8MP dSLR) if any of you have it email me and tell me what you think about it.
Bottom line on the Nikon 8800: I thought it was a wonderful camera 4 of 5 stars (The lens error flaw is a pity)
Bye-bye folks and thanks for the emails.
PS; if you ever go to Niagara Falls, GO TO THE CANADIAN SIDE... the NewYork side is trash... and Granto's Towing are theives.
bought my 3700 after holidaying with a friend who owns the same model - he had a lens error which rectified itself and i didnt even remember there was a problem til it happened to me!! i was getting the horrors about halfway down this long list of complaints and would you believe dropped the camera from my lap whilst reading. turned itself on and the lens was working as normal.
so if you're out of warranty and nikon are in denial, drop it :D worked for me!!
spoke too soon. now the silly thing's flash wont work and the shutter speed refuses to compensate for it... canon is the go.
Unbelievable.
My three (3 !!) days old 3700 already got its lens error 30 minutes ago. Grrrr!
I owned CP2000 for over 3 years with no problem (fed it enough daily diet of AA batteries and it's happy). Also an FA with mirror lock up problem only after oh some 20 yrs of ownership.
Interestingly I was warned by salesperson about potential lens error when I bought Canon G3. Of course it never caught any lens virus - despite bumping lens cap every now and then.
Too bad. Beautiful colors and sharp pics destroyed by this ridiculous cost cutting parts.
For those of you thinking to go Canon to avoid lens error, please do a google on 'canon E18' ...
http://www.dcresource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3810&page=1&pp=10
Same problem on 2 days old canon sd300 ? Wow.
class action in html form:
http://www.girardgibbs.com/canon.html
Nikon "lens error" on Coolpix 7900.
I own a Nikon coolpix 7900 for little less then 2 months and then I got this "lens error" problem already. I used to own 3 Canon digital cameras and I have never encountered any problem with them before. Because of Nikon's good reputation I decided to buy my first Nikon camera. Big mistake! Nikon just ruined my day!
I hope this is just an bad apple but it looks like it is more than that from the comments above. I just sent my camera to the Nikon service center today and hope I get it back fixed.
So far after reading this site, these are the problem cameras. Add to the list if you know other models that have this problem.
"lens error" Foolpix!
=====================
7900
8800
5700
3700
3100
2500
8700
2200
5800
Just purchased a Nikon CP 7900. Out of the box for about ten minutes and the lens freezes in the out position. What a bummer. It's troubling to see all of these comments. I wonder if I should go with the Canon SD500.
Thanks for all the info at this site.
Jay
Darn it! Like most of you, I expected a simple fix for my 5400 Lens Error. Well out of warranty, I am left with the difficult choice of risking the repair money or jumping ship. It's too bad because the 5400 has been a good little machine for my business pictures.
I don't think I am adding a great deal to the sum of human knowledge, but I too have a Coolpix 2200 with "lens error". Strictly speaking it is intermittent in that it has managed to start up a couple of times - but immediately falls over if I try to zoom. It is less than 1 month old and only started this weekend so I haven't had a chance to get back to the vendor yet and haven't anything to report on the service side - but I did take it in to a dealer in a major UK photo retail chain who was - shall we say - "familiar" with the "issue".
i shoot one day ago i transfer my pictures on computer i put my camera nikon 5700 on table and secon day after when i start my camera...BLANK
i think is blind.
all function on display works on both displays but i see BLACk
camera works but i can see anything .
pictures in black
all in f***ng black
enyone can help me?
Update on repair of my 5700. Sent to Nikon UK for repair. Got estimate fo £140+vat. Phoned around authorised repairers got est of £80. Phoned Nikon asked them to return camera unfixed. Nikon have choosen to repair the camera FREE of CHARGE. However, before asking for return, I did ask them to accept that the camera has a design fault and they should fix this issue for free. I also included a strongly worded letter stating my views about the design and reliability of Nikon products.
I suggest that you all start using the same tactics, let them have the camera for estimate and then moan a lot (mention this site) and then ask for a no fix return. Maybe they'll get the message.
PS repair was replace one gear wheel.
I'm unfortunately joining this growing Nikon "Lens Error" group. My Coolpix 8800 was a refurbished camera from NikonMall and was supposedly brought up to specs by Nikon prior to sale. But within a couple dozen shots, it came up with the dreaded "Lens Error" message. It is doubley troublesome since it was purchased from the US and I'm in Canada and Nikon Canada won't honour purchases beyond their border.
Bernard, I too have the same problem with the blank screen/viewfinder. Used it, left it on my table for a week and then tried to use it. Wasn't dropped or anything. I've search the net extensively and haven't found any remedies. This problem isn't as common as the "Lens Error" problems but I have seen it on a few post. No answers so far. I'll check back here and hope for the best. This is my 1st and last Nikon product!!! So frustrating!!!
yes steve i know for me is the same.first and last product nikon.
i send my camera to nikon now and i wait.
i/m courious to see what she have in fact and how much cost me the reparation.
if cost me 300$ i think dont worth it.
is so damn frustrating.
Wonderful! Nikon-5700 less than 2 years old, lens error! Lens won't open... Nikon is NOT going to like hearing from me after reading all this.
Gary read my coments above 81 and 92 Kind of solved the problem of paying for what should be a recall and fix free of charge!
Benard,
Please post what happens. I'd like to know what I'm in for. If cost is too high, I'll probably buy something else. I'm not pro but not a beginner either. Probably go with the Cannon Digital Rebel with interchangeable lenses. I've wasted so much money on this Nikon 5700 and all the accessories. I really thought this would last me a few years until time for an upgrade. I guess I'll have to learn how to sell things on ebay.
Steve
I may be the 1st but my 2100 (UK Model) 3 weeks out of warranty - Lens Error followed by System Error. Happened on last day of family holiday abroad after filling 2 x 64Mb cards, thats around 280 faultless shots. Main worry all the way home was wether the shots were secure to be able to get off when home. Tried all the tricks above can't shift the Lens Error though. Give it the dog to play with and going to buy anything apart from Nikon. Sounds like a massive scandal by them and it needs publising in the camera - trade press.
Al Moores
I may be the 1st but my 2100 (UK Model) 3 weeks out of warranty - Lens Error followed by System Error. Happened on last day of family holiday abroad after filling 2 x 64Mb cards, thats around 280 faultless shots. Main worry all the way home was wether the shots were secure to be able to get off when home. Tried all the tricks above can't shift the Lens Error though. Give it the dog to play with and going to buy anything apart from Nikon. Sounds like a massive scandal by them and it needs publising in the camera - trade press.
Al Moores
Gee bought a nikon 5700 on ebay with the battery extended adapter hope i dont have all those problems not looking good havnt recieved yet hope it works when i recieve it payed 319 dollars us we shall see keep you guys posted hey does anyone know will a fl-40 olympus flash work with the shikon sorry nikon 5700 dig cam...
My daughter and I both have a Nikon Coolpix 3100. They are about 2 years old. Both have the same problem. The latch to the batteries is broken and will not stay closed. I was looking to see if there was a recall when I found this site. I guess I can forget about that.
I have a 5700 and had the lens problem twice. I managed somehow (by pushing and pulling and turning it on and off) to get it working each time. Now however, the screen is black. Everything else works but black screen and viewfinder. I am currently in Vietnam and took it to a shop here in Hanoi. I was told the CCD is out and it is not worth fixing. The guy said "this was a bad camera" too many design problems. I've had dozens of Nikons in the past but I too will not purchase another Nikon because of these poorly designed cameras and the fact they will not stand behind their products. I'm going to try Canon!!!
I have a Coolpix 3100 which was Popular Science's best buy in 2003. Has worked pretty good until now. The battery door latch has broken and the batteries are not held tight rendering the camera unusable. Cheap plastic piece of crap. There doesnt seem to be a fix for it. Not very happy with Nikon right now!
I have just discovered your site. I had no idea that this was such a common problem. I will never buy another Nikon camera, in fact I am so annoyed with Nikon at this moment, that I want any lawyers who have had this problem to add my name to any future class action lawsuits. Just one month after the warranty ran out on my Nikon Coolpix 2200 camera, the lens is permanently stuck in the open position. I broke the zoom lens on my Canon digital camera last year, since then I have been extremely careful with the Nikon Coolpix 2200. The Nikon camera was always carried in a padded camera bag, and I can assure you that it has never been dropped or roughly handled. I am now trying to find a reliable, small and affordable digital camera that does not have cheap plastic gears or a retractible zoom lens.
Daniel S. Pearson
I Didn't know that this was the major issue on this camera. I'm very carefull with my photo gear and never dropped it or what so ever. But all of a sudden it dropped dead with the message 'Lens Error' I just wanted to sell my Minolta and make pictures of it with the Coolpix 5700. I didn't know what to do. Once about a year ago i dropt a camera of my friend and the lens was misplaced after de dropped. I just tried to straighten it out and that worked, and the camera is still running. So i thought lets try a little pulling en pushing. Put in and out de battery and after a minute or five it started operating again. I hope this does not happen to much !. So if you want to solve the problem first try a little pulling and pushing, it worked for my. Do not pull hard or push hard just a little !!!!
i'm also experiencing the black LCD/viewfinder problem just right after my SB flash error was fixed! DARN NIKON!
I've had my Nikon coolpix 3100 for 1.5 years and the battery latch is broken and the camera unusable. whatayaknow. i ain't the only one.
hi
the same thing happened with our 1 year old coolpix 2100. it fell for the umpteenth time but this time there is a "lens problem" and it will not work... any idea on how to fix it with out costing a lot of $$$?
After 14 months and 8000 pictures taken with a Nikon Coolpix 5400, the "lens error" come, and the repair is near euros 350 ! so, i change from Nikon to Olympus, the Camedia 7070 is very good for macro photo ; this problem seem to be recurrent on all Coolpix series
Cheers
Yves
My Nikon Coolpix 3200 threw up a lens error message just THREE DAYS out ot warranty.
I took it to the seller, who returned it to Nikon.
I am waiting for their response; I hope they don't expect any payment, because given the similar problems other people are having, Nikon will be getting nothing out of me!
coolpix 3700 : LENS ERROR : i've tried removing battery for 5 minutes and dropping it down with no sucess....LET'S BY ANOTHER....
Hi all!
I have a 8700 that has just went out of warranty and guess what? `Lens Error`
Will be taking it back to shop shortly, when i get a day off,
I think I've found a temporary fix.
Still, it's not a best repair but you can get the lens out and take pictures. Next time, you get the same problem, do the same again.
1. Turn the power off.
2. Push the lens all the way in with your two thumbs. It will click as it goes in.
3. If the light goes off, then turn it back on - you will notice that lens tries to come out. Right this moment, hit the edge of the lens firmly and it will come out.
4. I had to do this over and over again each and every time I use this damn Coolpix 5400 !!
Hope this helps.
Hi!
Own a Nikon 5700 which started to have this lens error problem. This sucks. $1100 down the drain. Anyone know about any repair shops in NY/CT to get an estimate?
I'm sending mine back today and I've copied this thread, let's see how much business sense they have.
Aye
I have a 5700 just 14 months old, gears are skipping in the lense unit as it expands and doesn't retract unless gently pushed. Considering the price I paid for this I expected Nikon quality. I didn't get it ...
Next time I'll but a cheaper one. In Australia they want $250 to fix it. Looking at these posts it is not worth it, too likely to die again.
Has anyone performed their own surgery on it ?
Mike
Same error today, but I think I know what caused it. I was taking a picture of a helicopter taking off from dirt, I was close (20m away) and got covered in dirt so I guess the grit jambed the lens mechanism? I've tried the "hitting it" method, didn't work. So I'm going to try blowing it out with compressed air and then hit it...
I have also the lens error with my 5700 , Nikon say it's dust ( after one and a half Year ????!??)
Foolpix indeed !
I go back to mine old brand ....Olympus
This is ridiculous. Got my camera 3 months ago, worked fine then woke up one day to a lense error. This is fucking bullshit, what kind of company has products that malfunction at random. Fuck you Nikon, you have set me back financialy this month and may you burn in hell.
Another "Slowpix 5400" lens error in Spain.
My next camera will be a Canon.
My Nikon 5700 suddenly developed a problem. There's no image on the LCD viewfinder and the camera won't record images. Otherwise all seems ok. The preview feature works fine, so I know that the LCD is ok. Has anyone had the same problem (LCD preview works, viewfinder doesn't) or heard of a solution?
Hi !
I have a 5700 just 15 months old, trouble in the lense unit, it doesn't expand. I am very surprise that so many people have problems with the Nikon 5700.
I no more beleive in Nikon quality...
I am waiting since 1 month and a half and know that will cost 300$ to repare it.
My next camera won't be a Nikon, and you???
My Nikon 3100 gave the 'lens error' message too! I knocked it lightly on the side of a table and it's working now. Will update, if it dies again.
Hi, lens error on my 5700 for the second time. First time was while under warranty. What a pile of crap. I'm buying Canon. Oh, I also had a 950 that died of an internal lens issue, and that one didn't retract/expand externally. Now I'll have to go argue with them.
My Nikkon Coolpix 5900 about 6 months old, went into displaying Lens Error. My nightmare started.
Actuall my camera was ON with suspend timer set to 30min because i was using it as cam through TV Tuner card. Unfortunately the battery exhausted midway, after which my camera started giving lens error and never recovered. I cannot afford to give it to Service Centre. Can anyone suggest me any solutions.
If you have a sensor problem, check this out: http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/...
I've had my coolpix 5700 for two years now and got the same lens error as the rest of you guys here!!
I have a 5 years extended warranty from Mack Camera so I hope that I will get it fixed for shipping costs only.
Got my cp back from repair in Norway. Thet replaced the hole lens/zoom unit for ca $350, but Mack Camera will pay me back every penny, I love those guys
Lens Error.. Me too. Dropped the camera from the height of 1 foot onto a padded carpet - lens error! Camera works fine BUT will not zoom all the way into wide angle mode! Takes beautiful photos, but I have handled it VERY carefully since then. Too many people seem to have the same issue, and it seems that it is all related to some cheapness in the lens area - not something you expect when spending NIKON bucks!
Dan M
My one year warrenty just ended on my coolpix 8700 and of corse my first problem the dreaded lens error. It didn't drop it didn't hit anything it just stoped working. when I try to turn it on it just grinds And the lens error comes on.
I just purchased the 5900 60 days ago, I have taken approx. 25 pictures and I now have the lens error, rattle noise and gear grinding.
The a-hole at Wolf Camera told me he would send it in to the service center and said it may cost me $250.00! and they have a sensor inside the camera that can tell if I have dropped it? Can anyone help me with this? Is this a warranty repair? I am really really angry!!!
I posted a comment here a little while back, thought some of you might appreciate what I've done to my camera, check out,
nikon5700.blogspot.com
Shows the camera getting pulled apart and finding the problem.
Thanks for that last show it was very interesting, I started to pull mine apart but was not intoxicated enough, my camera has been dropped off and I am waiting for the news if it will be under warranty or if I will have to go in the store, pick up the camera and destroy it in front of everyone in the store!!!
Mine 5700 died as well. WTH! Garbage! Never again will I buy from Nikon.
My 5700 just stopped working as well. I get a SB error and a red flashing light.The internal flash will not respond. I have begun the daunting task of trying to get a response from Nikon and after reading all this I am very upset and frustrated. I will try to get it fixed as Its still under warranty for the next 4 years and 4 months but I like many others here will never buy Nikon again and I believe that I will look into Cannon, for my next camera purchase.
With my Coolpix 3200 I just experienced the same Lens Error problem as all of you shortly after the 2 year warranty period.
As I read in the previous posts, that nothing can be done, I started to try to "shake" any stuck parts free - no success.
Then with the help of a tiny screwdriver I wedged this at different places into the gap between the lens body and the surrounding circular camera body part. My tries to either help the stuck componnent to move the lens forward or to center again a possible offset of the lens body was finally successful. I think my lens was off center and pressing it tenderly back into alignement happily made it working again.
What a relief.
I bought the 8800 7 months ago. Lens froze two weeks ago. Nikon tech says send back to repair facility in Melville NY. followed all their instructions and sent in. Noted that lens froze and electronics would not come on to retract. Also sent battery as figured though charged, may not be taking the charge. Got letter back that camera had a 'bent pin' and not covered under warranty and that no battery accompanied. Cost to fix $210.
In process now of telling them to just send camera back, may just throw this in the river. The SLR I was intending to buy will not be bought from Nikon. Am now back to film using my old Nikon N90s and does it feel good.
Coolpix 2100 Lens Error (stuck in open position) and black LCD and only 18 months old.
Well, here is another one with a lens error!
It really stinks. I bought my camera in Jan. 2005. I got a lens error in July 2005. I have a Coolpix 5400. This is absolutely not acceptable how Nikon can ignore this 'lens error' problem. It should be a total recall.
Repair expenses would be around 200 dollars. Well I can buy a new one for that.
Roelof.
Coolpix 3700 came up with Lens error a couple of days ago when using the zoom function. Took it back to place of purchase (just out of warranty by one month) they advised not worth sending to Nikon to be repaired as would be more than the cost of a replacement.
I too have had the camera repeatedly turn on when in the case, and for past few months lens was not always in fully closed position.
Not another Nikon for me either!!
I have a coolpix 3700 for almost an year, which I bought in UK. Its a lovely camera and I took some beautiful pictures with it and my friends used to appreciate my photographic skills. And suddenly last week, I got the "lens error" messgae when trying to upload the snaps to my laptop. After going through this useful blog I may have to spank it for a while to make it work again. I hope it works. I can see the slight mis-alignment in the lens.
I will get back with the status later.
Another disgruntled customer.
Ravi.
yup my coolpix 3200's lens won't come out and it just says lens error on the lcd.. tried turning it off and on.. tried taking the battery out.. this sucks, its less than 14 months old. :(
I too have NIKON COOLPIX 5700 with lense error. I am very upset, clearly Canon is the better deal or what about Olympus?
I definitely won't buy anymore nikon. I got also the lens error, strangely enough the camera is 1 week out of waranty. Well done nikon! just in time.
Well you can see my first post#131 I dropped my camera off 2 months ago with the wolf camera guy who really does not seam to care what happens to my camera and no word from tham yet! anyone looking into purchasing a Nikon "DONT DO IT"
There is a defect here and there not owning up to it. I am in contact with a lawyer whom handles sh__t stain companys like this and I will keep you posted!
What an insult to an exceptional lens.The plastic gearing lack of ergonomic sense i.e. function buttons on the right and strap clips either side.Make the Nikon 5700 an enthusiasts nightmare.RECALL THIS CAMERA!! not least for all the above mentioned "lens error" messages noted here and most likely by a overwhelming and unacceptable percentage of 5700 owners elswhere,but also try a search for Nikon 5700 speedlight issues on google.Again you will be overwhelmed by depressing reading.My first 5700 arrived and the speedlight(flash) never even got a chance to fail it was dead in the box! when contacting the vendor he told me this was the second of the batch he had bought to fail.The vendor was true gent and the camera was replaced immediately even before I had returned my malfunctioning model.The replacement was and is in perfect working order but with aprehension now rising I am embarking on a search for that suitable replacement.Trying to recoup the money spent on this one is going to delay my new purchase no doubt but I will indeed replace this camera and banish its lurking and inevitable failure.Shame that such a respected imaging company should fail themselves in the face of stiff yet cheap competition.Personally I would encourage Nikon to replace haste with their previous attitude toward precision and quality.had they not panicked then I am sure the Nikon faithfull would have waited patiently for Nikons worthy contender to the semi Pro digital Camera.Instead they have replaced trust and respect with consumer fear.It is a sad sad day.May they learn their lesson and repay the investment of us the consumers for our faith.Recall this Camera Show us you are worth our Yen,dollars,pounds or bart... and I for one would maintain respect and faith.However I feel it is too late and this whisper is soon going to become a roar in the ears of nikons CEO's and a once great name is going to be forever tarnished.Once again modern business practice sounds the nell for a preciscion quality product.
I have the same problem of a black lcd/viewfinder on my nikon 5700. LCD is fine, even old pictures stored on my memory card can be viewed on the lcd/viewfinder. Just a black, sorta fuzzy picture is given when you turn it on.
I took it in to a local authorized nikon repair shop who told me that this is a problem, nikon is recalling the cameras that have this problem and will repair mine free of charge. Soooo, before dishing out any money to get it repaired, check to see if it can be repaired free of charge. Contact Nikon, don't give up. Good luck.
Thanx so much for this site.....WAS going to purchase a Nikon 5700.......NOT NOW. Looking elsewhere...maybe a Cannon. Any suggestions?
I have send a short-cut of this site to Nikon- Holland (INCA) but they ignored it totally !!,
They still say it is ??DUST??
I have bought me now an Olympus E-1 body (real camera!!)
Hank
My coolpix 3700 has been a good camera untill i got the lens error.. just two months old. i am going to try all this usefull info.. drop it stamp on it and maybe chuck it in the bin.. no more nikons for me..
Ok, got the dreaded "lens error" on my nikon coolpix 5400. The lens was stuck in extended positon and would not budge. In deep frustration I opted on using brute force to solve the issue. With the camera turned off and the battery removed, I grabbed the larger of the two rings composing the lens (the one closer to the camera body) and cranked it harder and harder clockwise until something snapped. Replacing the battery and turning the camera on, the lens retracted! HOWEVER, now I have a grinding noise when zooming out and intermittent (but temporary) lens error messages in certain zoom positions.
I imagine that I basically broke one jammed gear tooth (or several) thus allowing the lens to retract. I wonder how long the camera will function in this state. I'll keep you posted.
This is my third (and last) Coolpix camera (very badly designed battery cover broke on my 950, autofocus malfunctioned on my 4500, now the lens error on the 5400...)
SHAME ON YOU, NIKON!!!
Happy New Year
Guys I need help!!!! I have a nikon coolpix 5700 and it has been problematic since the last repair i had which was broken gear on the lens.
Now about few months ago a new problem arise after not using for 2 - 3 months. When you adjust the shutter or the aperture, and took a photo, the photo appear to be the same as previous setting instead of the updated adjustment. I have to turn it off and turn it on to refresh into the new adjustment, to get the right photo.
Since the repair as well the noise on the camera just got worst. I have to edit the photos further in photoshop and it is time consuming and nuisance
Could anyone please help me on what going on with this lousy 5700. If it helps i've had it since 2003.
Hi,
It happened to me too! “Lens Error”. My Coolpix 5700 was just over 3 years old (have we come to expect everything to be throwaway after a couple of years?) In spite of its flawed focusing abilities in low light, I liked the camera. I enjoyed its portability, and the quality of its lens is superb.
Now, I'm looking at a $1,000 dollar piece of junk. I am raising a family, and $1,000 dollars doesn't come easy. When researching my purchase, it was Nikon’s reputation for quality that convinced me my purchase was a good one. Nikon should be ashamed of releasing a product of such poor quality. Is the venerable Nikon a thing of the past?
Sincerely, Kevin Fellows
Coolpix 3100
Got the Lens error message too. I called Nikon (Uk) about repairing it and they said a maximum of £51.06 + VAT. I decided it wasn't worth it so tried Mark's suggestion of hitting it quite hard. It worked. Must have been something out of line jammimng the lens mechanism. Pretty poor though - will not buy a Nikon again. I recommend trying this if you have come to the conclusion that you are not going to pay for it to be repaired.
Geoff
Nikon sux, I have had my camera 2 years, lens error pops up, grinding sound too, lens jammed in, its stuffed, big waste of money! Not impressed at all. I am going to contact Nikon for sure and tell them all what losers they are!
Same thing on a 5200 - Lens Error
13 months old - is that engineered in to be just out of warranty?
Somebody send this page's URL to Nikon Customer Service - it's not on!
This was a great camera until I got the "Lens Error" message. Paid about $850 for the camera 3 years ago, don't think the thing is worth paying a couple of hundred to fix if it might happen again.
This is the last Nikon I'll ever buy.
Just experienced the "black LCD/viewfinder" problem with my 2 year-old 5700. All other electronics/functions appear to be working properly.
Thanks to link provided in Post #127 for NikonEurope, where they announced free repairs for 5700's experiencing this, and related problems. I'm in USA, so searched NikonUSA site; found similar announcement here: http://www.nikondigital.com/main.html.
Click the 5700-related button at lower-right, under Service Advisories; you'll be directed to download a PDF Product Return Form.
Hope they do repair for free; if not, it goes on the junk heap, and will be replaced by something more dependable, e.g. a Canon. No more Nikons in my future – ever! (spoiled by my 40 year-old film Pentax Spotmatic; still performs like new; felt guilty retiring it).
Dan
My 5700 went black. Meaning when I place it in the On position i see nothing but black in the view finder and yes the lens cap is off. I just sent it back and this is a pretty new camera.
Hope the link works so you guys can get the camera fixed.
My 5700 went black. Meaning when I place it in the On position i see nothing but black in the view finder and yes the lens cap is off. I just sent it back and this is a pretty new camera.
Hope the link works so you guys can get the camera fixed.
http://www.nikonusa.com/email_images/nikonusa/service_advisory/cp_service_form.pdf
I don't get a lens error but my viewfinder went almost black, all the images are like ghosts, the lens moves in and out with no problem but I can not see anything but a ghost image through the viewfinder. I am ready to take my first trip to Europe and this has to happen now, I've always been a Nikon fan from my first camera the FE up to my new D70, but after reading all this and seeing the attitude of "WE DON'T CARE" from Nikon, instead of buying the new D200, I am switching to Canon. Never again a Nikon, my next camera will be the Canon EOS 5D.
Lets join forces to make Nikon pay for this. We should all get free replacements for this piece of junk.
Yesterday I took my 14 month old coolpix 5700 out to take pics of my new allotment. The zoom function seemed very sluggish so I took my pics inb wide angle. Today I formatted my card ready to take advantage of the bright weather conditions and was about to head out for the countryside. Switched on the camera to adjust settings and what do I get? ... the dreaded lens error message. I know it has not been dropped
Now there is a long delay before it switches on or off and the awful grinding sound has stopped as it does not even try to extend the lens any more.
This is a bummer as the camera was a present, and the shop it was bought from no longer sells cameras.
Add me to the list of Nikon's disatisfied customers too.
Sheils (She who can take no more pics)
Oh dear, add me to the list of Nikon dissapointees.. I purchased a 3700 in New York around a year ago - didn't use it much until last summer then picked it up this winter and 'lens error!' - just tried Geoffs tip and struck the side of the casing closest the lens firmly against the table and it worked! I saw some greast pics of my kids in tree houses - I hesitated before turning it off and trying again but I figured I had to sometime - so I turn it off and then on again and 'Lens Error' - a very short lived victory!!
The lens now comes out when I turn it on but therre's the error message on screen and way more whirring than neccessary when I turn it back off!
I'm goin got try for some satisfaction from Nikon UK...sorry to hear these tales of woe re. a previous favourite - I'll let you know what Nikon UK say.
Hold on... I just tried again and this time held the camera so the lens is pointing atthe ground and i'm looking down onto the screen on horizontal plane and the thing worked - no error message - I repeated it about 7 times and its still working ok- yep, just worked ok again - only thing is I'm scared to hold it upright and try incase it screws up again!
Adam
Hello all here,
Seems like you guys have ended up here after typing the keyword for 'Nikon lens error'in google. Well,the first comment started in 2003 and the last one,just 3 days before mine. well,our family's is Nikon Coolpix 3700..it once was sent for repair when it was still in the warranty's period (when it was returned,my memo card was also gone,)but now that it's out for about one year and a half...only to pay to get it repaired. Damn Nikon!!!!
The cause of the lens error was the same as last time...my sister took the camera away and tried to zoom it up..problem about zooming something like that...
Gonna look for any possible solution on the net and will be back if finding one.
Black veiwfinder screen when turned on. Thanks for website for Nikon. 5700 is only 11 months old. Maybe warranty wiil pay.
I just did a little checking and there is a person on eBay selling 4300 & 5700 replacement gear sets.
I have a coolpix 5000 with the same problem, one broken gear and have yet to find a replacement. Anybody who runs across any cp5000 gears please toss me a email!
ebay seller for 4300 & 5700 gears:
username: sawlenas
eBay store:
http://stores.ebay.com/fotique
Hi again,
Anyone who has a Coolpix 5700 with a lens error and wants to sell it, send me a email with the price you would be willing to sell it for.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi,
More lens error on Nikon 5700, for no apparent reason. Now that someone is selling new gears.. how do I replace them? What tools are neaded and so on...
Thanks
Isfeld
Hi
I have new Nikon coolpix 3200 3.2 Mp 3X digital camera.
it was working very nicely till few days back but now i am facing one problem. It is showing Lens error. I went through manual where it was written that switch off power and try again. I did that but it is still persisting with same problem.Please help me out.
List me in steps what should I do from begining to overcome this problem. Also please let me know how big this problem is ?????? means related to life of camera?
sandeep
More of the same here. Coolpix 4800 lense error. Cause unknown. Repair cost more than the piece of junk is worth.
Gee Nikon, think you have a problem? This is report #170, and we are just the people that took the time to search for a way to find a solution. And we're just the people that found this one web forum.
There must be literally THOUSANDS of these crappy cameras lying around broken.
More of the same here. Coolpix 4800 lense error. Cause unknown. Repair cost more than the piece of junk is worth.
Gee Nikon, think you have a problem? This is report #170, and we are just the people that took the time to search for a way to find a solution. And we're just the people that found this one web forum.
There must be literally THOUSANDS of these crappy cameras lying around broken.
heya friends ,well i have this nikon coolpix 5700 its problem is very different .when i take a pic it shows me everything clear but when i click to capture it just shows me a pic with upper half black and lower half pic with different colours .it also giving error SB and Red light flashing can anyone help ?
help would be apreciated. thanks
Regards,
RaHuL
My 5700 purchased 3 years agao was replaced by Dixons after 7 days. The repalcement now has failed. The image on screen is ghosting and pictures are recorded as per the screen image. i am reluctant to send this to Nikon UK.
Hi,
As I didn't have any news about this lens error or any kind of error with nikon, I decided to buy a 5700 coolpix, just the same model as the one I got stolen on madrid when it had only 2 months use.
Now that my "new" nikon has just passed 12 months the only thing I have is distorted images. Seems the CCD failed. Repare cost here in mexico city: 400 usd plus taxes. I'd better buy another camera, another brand. same price as reparing it.
I now think it's possible the thieves in madrid took my other camera just before it collapsed. I should've known before, and thank them.
Anyway I thought it might be useful to keep it as a didactic aftefact, unless someone has decided to keep their own camera as spare and would be interested on selling me the CCD.
If not, at least i feel better sharing this experience. Hope this helps someone making a buy decision.
My Nikon 3700 went down 2 months after warrenty. Lens error. Lens exteded and it's been that way since then. After reading others comments I do not think it's worth fixing as the problem will probably re-occure. Will try an Olympus or a Cannon.
Every Nikon Coolpix that I have had (I've had a few) has the lens error thing.
Absolutely insane.
I love the cameras when they work, but if it's only going to last just over a year no matter how I treat it, I'm done with Nikon.
It's not worth the hassle.
My Nikon Coolpix 3200 is also dead with "lens error"
Lens error on Nikon 5700 for the second time in six months; paid almost $200 the last time, and unsure as to whether I'll bother again. Much as I love the camera, this is my last Nikon. It's too finicky and ultimately disappointing. This happened while on holiday in Mexico and I spent the last two days regretting all the terrific shots I was missing. Just not good enough. Any recommendations for a better alternative camera?
my nikon coolpix L3 is the very definition of jancology...i dropped it no more than 3" and the stupid thing won't even turn on or off now, but only says "lens error." has anyone found a successful method to counteract this problem?
Same problem "lens error" with my coolpix 3100 6 months out of waranty. After having red so many complaints, I think I'll never buy a Nikon camera again.
Antonio
Nikon 3100 here. Battery latch broke after about a year, which has been replaced with an attractive duct tape replacement. Now the dreaded Lens Error.
I have made a trip to FL for family gathering and now receive the dreaded lens error message. What is with this camera!!! Class action suit needed??? Recall needed on ALL nikon digitals?
wvcabinman
i have the same problem my camera was in the bag and when i took it out it said lens error. where can i send it to be fixed.I love my camera.
Similar problems as listed above. The speedlight on my Coolpix 5700 has stopped working. SB flashes red and will not fire, even with an external Nikon SB50dx flash attached. NOT HAPPY! Instead of purchasing the D200, I'm switching to Canon!
Spoke to an insider @ Nikon today. You guys having a 5700 or 5400 and the lens error happened either before 12 month or after 15 month are not in line. THOSE CAMERAS ARE DESIGNED AND TESTED TO BRAKE AFTER 13-14 MONTH. You have to understand that with the hard competition in consumer digital cameras Nikon at least has to make some money charging 200.00++ US$ for the repair of a 50 cts part..They NEED this money to put it in their expensive advertising to make you believe they sell a quality product – and have the service you expect from a quality product.
;-) ---.... you know that is fiction...
Stepping up from point and shoot and adding to my semipro Samsung Pro815 ( 28-420mm) I ordered a Nikon Digital SLR D70 with the expensive 400mm tele and a wideangle 12-14mm lens. Until than I covered the wideangle prt with my coolpix 5400 and a Nikon converter which brought the lens to 22.8mm... I wanted to sell my 5400 and checked eBay for prices - just to find 2 offers with " known lens error problem". Now, 2 days later my 5400 got the bug: I was shopping for furniture and took some pics. After I shut off the camera I decided to take an additional picture and turned it on again - but the lens did not come out, just made that noise...no mechanical impact whatsoever on the camera!
Camera is 14 month old...Checking the problem I found this website and phoned Nikon Canada. Reporting the problem and mentioning the postings I heard: "Oh yes, there are many cameras with this problem, not just Nikon" Well trained. Not offering any real help. Trying to send your camera in for that “only 20$s” inspection. Reluctantly admitting that a repair will be over $ 200.00…
NOW, WHAT CAN WE DO?? Class A Action. There are several paper tigers out there asking for it. You should not find your satisfaction in lamenting, BUT IN ACTION.. START IT! I will join you, but being in Canada I can not do to much…
There is a Better Business Bureau, and Cosumer protection agencies to contact Nikon in behalf of us. Isn’t there anyone here who can take the leadership and organize the complaint? I hope you get this going…
By the way, good thing about my Nikon disappointment: I cancelled my order with Nikon and decided for the Minolta Maxxum 7D. They were always building the best 35mm cameras, now their digital SLR is the only one that has a built in Image Stabilizer – so I got the better camera and saved 3000 bucks! ( I do not mind that they went out of business with cameras – and do not worry, you can expect soon that we see them with a Sony badge!
I had the very same "lens error" with my Nikon Coolpix 5900 few hours ago. I hadn't done anything abnormal to my camera. Actually it had been in my schoolbag few days waiting for a photo opportunity.
Then a photo situation suddenly came up. I took my beloved cam, turned it on and LENS ERROR! I panicked, as it was already out of warranty. I tried to turn it on and off again, but it didn't help. When I came home I looked at camera's user manual. It didn't help, so I looked to ultimate source of truth, Internet.
I did as HJK told in his comment. I pushed the lens with my thumb for a while. Then I became frustrated and hit the camera to my desk (just a bit, not with force). Repeating the hitting operation did the trick. So thank you guys for your advices :)
Yep... me too. My camera is a couple years old and has a lot of miles (literally) but I just landed on a flight from NY to Las Vegas and the camera must have turned on in my carry on. The battery was almost dead and lens was sticking out a few millimeter. It must have tried to open and hit the bottom of the bag... No, it will not turn on... only lens error.
I will try leaving the battery out over night and see if anything happens. I will try to "gently knock it" on the table... this stinks. I understand the "disposable" universe we live in, but I too have a lot of accessories (investment) in this camera and I NEED IT on this trip.. ohwell... so it goes.. so it goes...
I'll probably line up for the expensive repair because we still like taking photos with this camera and we have so much "stuff" (lens, adapters, etc) for it....
FM
Thanks a ton for the URL to the service advisory URL. I hope NIKON gives the service and stand upto their reputation.
I called the customer service about the strong green tint on the view finder and the LCD but they never pointed me to the service advisory that they have on the website. So its okay if people don't know aout it and pay ?!!!
SMART A*%$
After using Nikon L1 for a mounts I got the error "Lens error" and nobody can fix it :(
Don’t buy Nikon .
Add me to the list! After the warrenty ran out. Whamo! LENS ERROR! I really did like the camera. But it's not worth putting more money into when it's obviously a design flaw which will probably happen again.
Another disgruntled Nikon owner. Several weeks past the service warranty on my wife's camera; you guessed it: LENS ERROR. The gears are making a horrible noise. Called a local camera dealer and he too said this was a common problem with Nikon camera's. Guess Nikon does not rely on repeat business. WOW!!! Great business model!
Ok for those who've been getting those stuck lens this is the problem. One of the gears is damaged. Most likely the smallest one has its teeth broken which does cause a huge problem. I don't have my warranty anymore but I've already been planning on getting a new camera after my 3700 had its lens error a few months ago. I've had if for about 2 years now. Who would've guessed that such a small thing made out of PLASTIC could cause such a huge problem.
I had two years service on the 3700; carried it every day. Yesterday the "lens error message" appeared and it looks like another dead camera.
Too bad, I liked the size and pictures it took, but it failed when I needed a picture. The market is full of small cameras, any ideas about a reliable small camera using sd cards and AA batteries?
James
Well here we are less than a year goes by and now the repaired (for free - 2yrs old) (lens error) coolpix 5700 suddenly goes blank. Turns on but no pics on either screen. Sent it back to nikon UK they are going to fix it as per the recall notice FOC. So why when they had the camera last time did they not replace the 'sometimes' faulty part? I can't fault the picture quality but what use is a camera as badly designed and unreliable as this?
Still saving for an EOS and nearly there...can't wait.
I WILL NEVER BY ANOTHER NIKON.
I have a Nikon CoolP2, about 4 months old. G
ot a LENS ERROR for no apparent reason
while using the film camera. I am hoping Nikon
will honor their warranty.
I think I've found a temporary fix.
Still, it's not a best repair but you can get the lens out and take pictures. Next time, you get the same problem, do the same again.
1. Turn the power off.
2. Push the lens all the way in with your two thumbs. It will click as it goes in.
3. If the light goes off, then turn it back on - you will notice that lens tries to come out. Right this moment, hit the edge of the lens firmly and it will come out.
4. I had to do this over and over again each and every time I use this damn Coolpix 5400 !!
Hope this helps.
Posted by: HJK at September 15, 2005 11:55 PM
Okay for 3200 just keep pressing and pressing and pressing on the lens really hard for 20 times or something. you wont hear any sound but for me the lens came out so praise the lord. I love JESUS.
I've owned Nikon Coolpix 5400 for 2 years and everything was fine till today: I was taking pictures of my new car when this bloody problem appeared: "Lens error"!! The lens zooms out a bit but if you try to use zoom option it stops working with the lens error sign. I tried all solutions posted here except for removind a battery for a half of a day. Damn, tonight I was supposed to take pictures of my friend's little girl dancing on the stage!!! I am not going to repair the camera: it was bought in Europe and now I am living in the States. Sad to say, but it's time to buy a new one.
After an aeroplane flight our Nikon 3700 came up with a red 'lens errror.' The lens would not open. After reading these comments and as it was out of warrenty I decided to drop it. I held the cord with the camera in its case about a metre from our wooden floors and smack. I turned it on and WOW it was fixed. Amazing! Thanks for the tip. :)
I have two Nikon Coolpixs--the 5700 and the 3100. I got the lens error message a few months ago on the 5700 and hadn't pursued fixing yet--thinking it would be a small glitch that would be easy to fix. After a lot of internet research last night, no way I'll spend any extra money on it.
Actually, I hated the camera anyway. I got beautiful pictures as long as the subject was stationery and in bright light. Inside, the pictures were either too dark, or it took so long for 5700 to focus that I missed my shots. At SeaWorld, nearly all of my Shamu pictures were a second too late, and most only had water splashing or the tip of Shamu's tail. I ended up using the 3100 most of the time anyway because I was so frustrated with the 5700.
My 13 yr old nephew is into Taekwondo tournaments big time, forget taking any good pictures in a poorly lit gymnasium. I am so sick of photos that are too dark and impossible to fix with photo editing software.
I going to scrap the 5700, buy a Canon Digital Rebel XT, and use the 3100 for as long as it lasts as a small backup when I don't feel like dragging the Canon. $1000 down the drain--which bothers me greatly as I don't have this kind of money to throw out the window. Very disappointed in "quality" of Nikon--I had a film Minolta Maxxum that I adored, it finally broke after 12 years. I miss it.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Had the same problem as u all with my Nikon coolpix 3700, "lens error", the lens will not open. Had my camera for two years. Searched the web after lens error and found this blog. I took the advice and dropped the camera on the floor and now my lens is moving again. But I don't know for how long. Now the cover of the lens, after turning the camera off, will not shut down and cover the lens. After reading this blog I will buy Canon next time.
My Coolpix 3200 displayed a "Lens error" message, and would not extend. After searching through archived messages at jancology.com/blog/ I stumbled upon Kathy's message posted August 31, 2004. I too found success by wiggling the lens components; believe this reseated the lens properly. Works like a charm now. Thanks Kathy!
I have a Coolpix 3200, and have been very happy with the pictures it takes. However, it too got a lens error when still under warranty. They fixed it. Now, I have gotten another lens error (out of warranty), and the camera appears to now be useless. I can see by this blog that I am not alone. It may be pointless, but I think I will send Nikon a nasty letter. I will be sure to let them know I will be looking at their competition for a replacement.
My sister's coolpix 4200 just got that lens error. I googled for the lens error and ran into this site. She would turn the camera on and get the lens error. The lens would pop out then retract immediately so I had her turn it back on but hold the lens out and pull hard. Well that did it, the lens pops out and retracts when you shut the camera off and the "lens error" is gone. Give it a try before you dump it in the trash. Good luck getting yours back up and working.
Miguel
I was damn happy and proud to have Nikon 5700. Every time i took snap, i praised this camera and company. I thought i invested in something which is quality. Now this camera does show me any picture. LCD and Pictureview are black.
I purchased this in London and now i am in India. I can not tell you how do i feel...it is bad and very sad to read all these information on this site about world famous camera company.
Nikon needs to learn to appreciate people trust and money.
Can somebody help me here to get it repaired and/or replaced? Warranty period is over and no chance to be in London soon.
Satish, India
We have the Coolpix 8800. We had the camera at my sister-in-law's wedding this past weekend. Wife dropped it from about 3 feet. As you can guess Lens Error. Searched the internet found this website. read a lot of the '04 posts then skipped to the bottom. Found the post from Kathy August 31, 2004. Started fiddling with the lens itself. Low and behold when i pressed straight down on the lens (so if the camera is sitting on the table with the lens pointing up at you) it clicked like it reseated itself and now the lens error is gone. Camera worky worky wifey happy happy :). I'm happy as well not having to spend 300 bux for some idgit to push the lens back in. Luckily for us it wasn't the extension/retration lens gears that were messed up. Thanks for sparking my intellect!
Have just had the same problem. and 10 weeks out of warranty. Service agent says tough and I say I'm talking to Nikon direct perfore I go to our fair trading commision.
By the look of it the camera's should be recalled. No way I'm paying for it to just break again. We've got Cannons and Pentax's at work and they cop a beating with no probs. I buy a Nikon for home use thinking I'm getting something good and it can stand the gental use of home.
Gary Australia
Just reporting in to say that since my last Lens Error back in November 2004 I have treated the camera kindly at all times, (feeding it only the finest of fuly chaged batteries) and have not been troubled since.
The various comments from people about applying gentle pressure on the lens make sense, but I wonder what the chances of getting the gears "out of phase" might be.
I had the same problem! (LENS ERROR- on a 3100 NIKON) ... I searched the web for some advice.. but the more I searched the more i GOt depressed! seemed like it had nO solution... until I read that hitting the lens was effective... i did and my camera came back to life! :D
Bought wife coolpix 5600, used 3 months got lens error. Returned to factory, they wanted $227.00 to fix. Only paid $199.00 for camera. Nikon claimed it was impact damage. A LIE.
Bought the 5700 used 2 years ago from a co-worker. have taken thousands of awesome pictures.. Was hooking it up to my computer tonight while preparing to SELL it, and turned it on with the lense to close to stuff on the desk...
We relegiously kept it in "Play" mode to avoid this...
Good thing we are getting ready to buy a DSLR anyway..
Own a coolpix 5000.
Lens has simply stuck in the extended position.
Error Message: 'Warning Remove Lens Cap'
Lens cap is not on. Lens will not move in or out, even if i remove the battery, etc.
Can access the setup menu and even bypass the shooting mode to eventually be able to get an image in the LCD display. But no luck snapping a picture. Have updated Firmware to ver.1.6 and 1.8. No change.
No grinding or any such mechanical failure noises. Simply Stuck.
I leave for Venice in two days for an exhibition, not happy.
Anyone hav any suggestions other than hitting it?
(i know this is an old link with not much hope)
Coolpix 5700 - "Lens Error"
Love the camera, many great pictures over three years. Religiously clicked play mode when camera turned off to ensure I would not obstruct the lens from opening as I was aware of this design fault.
Lens cap string got caught in flip screen, when I turned the 5700 on :( click, click, click - oh crap! Lens error.
It's done, will be $265 CDN to repair.
This is also ridiculous - I'd bet that almost every 5700 has been or will be damaged in this manner. And I was sooooo careful...
Now I need decide if I want to fix it or go with the new panasonic water and shock proof camera I've been hearing about...
Regards,
Rd :)
I have had my 5700 for about 3 years. I, also, bought this camera because of wonderful reviews and Nikon's reputation. It has worked beautifully up until now. NOW when I take a picture it records the image as “nearly white with darker horizontal lines.” When looking through the viewfinder everything looks normal. Does anyone know what going on?
Thanks,
Alan
Alan,
Check the Nikon web site (support) sounds like a known issue that they will fix for free no matter how old your camera is. Its the CCD chip, it simply fails. Nikon replaced it in my 5700.
Paul
Well... I just wanted to add my name to the list of people experiencing the "lens error" message. Happened to me about 8 months into owning my Coolpix 7600. It was my first camera - which I bought because I was told Nikon was the best... after spending $500 on the camera, which is a lot for me as I was going through college at the time, so money wasn't readily available. Makes me so happy I saved up the money to buy this one.
Anyway, the famous error happened to me last night - well, actually to my sister who was using it at the time. Now the lens is stuck half extended, and won't move either way.
She'd told me she'd pay for it to be fixed, and I told her - no worries, if I was the one using it at the time, it would have happened to me. After reading this page, I knew it was just a matter of time.
So, I stumbled upon this site and learn that this is a pretty common problem, and that it comes with some really big price tags. Great, I hope I'm still under warrenty.
So I go digging around for my bill and the warrenty the camera came with - turns out it's a two year warrenty. Nice. They better honour it. I'm afraid they won't, based on what I've read here, but if that's the case, I'm going to get them to send it back without fixing it, and I'll just buy another camera.
I'm sick of this. You buy something cause it's "the best" and find out the whole line is crap. I don't think I'll be buying from Nikon any longer. So much for being so careful with my newest investment.
Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone,
Amanda
Had "lens error" on coolpix 3700 when turning on - lens remaining fully retracted, searched the web and found this site.
Turned camera off and tapped the lens area firmly on the heel of my hand, turned it back on again and the lens extended, camera fully operational - but for how long!
Oh my god SO ANNOYED! My parents just got me a Nikon L1 as a 21st birthday present. I got it Saturday afternoon. It is now Monday evening, and all of a sudden this stupid lens error thing has come up. The worst of it is that the lens is fine - it's not jammed or anything. Camera was sitting happily on my bed inbetween working and not working. I turn it on, lens comes out all happy and normal, then stupid screen says lens error and it retracts the lens again.
Coolpic 7600 - same stupid problem - "Lens error". Called Nikon. They want over $200 to fix! No way I am going to pay that when I can get a brand new Canon for that price. DO NOT buy Nikon. Very poor quality!
I had the same problem, but I fixed it when i take batterie from camera, let it for 2 hours without power and then i entered recharged batteries. It started to work fine.
H.
As with all my "toys" when they take a crap, I google searched for any info. My 5700 has been making that awful clicking sound when retracting/extending the lens and the "lens error" message is displayed through the view screen. After reading the comments above for the last 15 minutes I've decided to throw my POS foolpix against a brick wall and enjoy the sight of it being in little pieces. I'm heading to Costco for a Canon soon after doing so.
I am so annoyed!
I just spent $179 plus tax on this camera and two weeks after purchase a lens error occurrs. I am mad! I tried tapping the lens gently, it retratced and but then the images are all blurry. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where is Nikon in all of this?
Just had a second grandchild today.Had to borrow my daughter's old Kodak from her to take pics of the 10.8lb boy because.............lens error.I was excited and left the lens cap on.My Kodak 4330 just pushes it's cap off when this happens.Wish I had gotten a Canon Rebel.I have several Canon auto focus lenses that would fit.Ill be a ^%$#@$%(*&.
I had an out of warranty coolpix 5400 with stuck lens assembly making grinding noises. Sometimes the lens would come out if the camera was held at 90 degrees (portrait orientation). The gear linking the lens assembly to the optical view finder was stripped (again). I don't know if this is the same gear that's failing other people.
My main lens gears are still good. I decided to remove the broken gear and unlink the optical view finder.
Looking at the front of the camera, the stripped gear was at the 2'oclock position relative to the big lens, under a metal L-bracket. It's possible to only remove the front half of the camera body. careful- there's a flexi-cable under the shutter button going over the 'top' to the back of the camera.
I carefully dissasembled using a #00 philips screw driver -- use an ice cube tray to keep the screws sorted. And watch the capacitor powering the flash. discharge with a 2kOhm 5W resistor- I used an incandescent bulb and a voltmeter to discharge it from over 200Volts over several minutes. Make extensive notes/photos of were screws go/how ribbon cables are routed. Don't forget to check under i/o covers for screws, or the 2 screws under the CF slot cover.
I got the same “Lens Error” on my CoolPix 5700” after less than 3 years of normal use.
As a good Electronics Engineer I turned it into pieces.
I have found that one of the plastic gears box part is broken.
Since I handle my FoolPix with a lot of care, my conclusion is that this happens due to weakness of the gearbox, which was poorly designed.
This gear supports the zoom system and should have made of metal and not a cheap plastic.
Also a simple current limit circuitry would protect the gear when the lens is stuck.
Unfortunately Nikon doesn’t sell this 1-cent plastic piece, so I have to buy the lens assembly for $125 (http://gallery.bcentral.com/GID2025592P2786253-Replacement-Parts/Nikon/Digital-Camera-Parts-By-Model/Nikon-Coolpix-5700/Nikon-Coolpix-5700-Lens-Unit.aspx)
I’m going to complain to Nikon USA and CC this link to them and hundreds of my friends.
Next time don’t buy Nikon (I have noticed that Cannon is the best)
If any one needs help with repair, please contact me alond@sbcglobal.net
My 5700 had the same issue. Nikon should offer free repair as this seems like a design fault. I'm considering going to Canon now.
Hello all,
Yes, same lens error situation
.
Two things on this. First a question to Alon (item 225). Do you happen to have a description on how to disassemble the coolpix 5700? Preferably with schemes, fotos or the like. Could you please send it to jan.roelf@hetnet.nl? I checked the URL and I saw a lens drive gear for $ 5.95. Is this the thing that allways brakes down?
Second (to everyone here): would it be possible to remove the gear and zoom in and out twisting the outer barrel of the lens and still have a working camera. I would love that since I'm not particular keen on those electronic controlled zoom buttons. I guess maybe some wires have to be connected and software adapted, because probably the software will only give ready after a signal is received that the lens is out.
Interesting thougt isn't it. It would sure solve a lot of problems.
I had a nikon 5400 coolpix for just about a year, then the CCD is dead, blind completely. I hope there would be enough voices that nikon should take actions for its own good. Apparently there are inherent defects within the camera that should be dealt with like "recalls" ...
From San Francisco Bay Area.
Jan,
You can find the repair manual at:
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/13931/Nikon_Coolpix%205700.html
You have to download all 3 parts.
I have it also, on my 5400... Camera was never dropped, and the lens wasn't blocked when it happened. I'm thinking of buying an SLR in the near future, but seeing all these comments I'm losing faith in Nikon. My Nikkormat is over 35 years old and still works perfectly. Are Nikon's digital SLRs as unreliable?
I had a lens error with my Coolpix 5700 last year; and I paid $250 to repair it at the service center in Southern California. After a year and about 100 photos later, it developed another problem. Both LCD and viewfinder were green and blurry. I took my 5700 outdoor at bright daylight; and rest it to system defaults in the setup menu. I could not resolve the problem. I can still shoot pictures; however, the pictures come out blurry.
I plan not to repair it anymore because I don’t know what it can happen next. Does anyone experience a similar problem as mine?
Chuck from 231,
Do you want to sell it as is?
alond@sbcglobal.net
Thanks
I got my Nikon coolpix 3200 when it came out i have watched it out perform and take better looking pictures then expensive 7 megapixel cameras of today. My first lens error came about a month ago i just hit the camera with my palm a little and it worked fine. I got about 40 more pictures with it then the lens error started again. I thought about reinstalling the firmware but i see know that it is an unfixable problem. I am devistated I loved that camera.
Well, I just want to come out as the one voice that says I have had NO problems with the cheap gear lens grinding stripping problem. However, my viewfinder and screen went black a few days ago, pictures come out all black (no, the lens cap is NOT on). I guess I'm SOL too......such beautiful pictures while it worked, great reviews too...
My 5700 also came up with the "Lens Error". I tried all the obligatory battery removal, banging around, etc with no luck. Went on Ebay and found a guy in Atlanta, Ga. that fixes these problems. Cost is $125+$12 shipping. This is the complete price. No estimate charge or any other hidden charges. He fixed my 5700 up the day after he received it and had it on it's way back to me the following day by Priority Mail. Also guarantees his work for 90 days. Goes by the Seller Name "cameralove" on Ebay. Reccommended!!
Did any of you CALL Nikon? I got the same error on my DS70--read this list and about crapped my pants. I called the tech (who answered in less than 1 min-- a record in my book -- and said to do this:
Go to the set up menu.
Go to reset all
Viola! Works like it always did
(Note: I didn't hear any unusual grinding when I got the error).
http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=13688&p_created=1127751253&p_sid=Sm*I89li&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0yMTUmcF9wcm9kcz0xLDImcF9jYXRzPX5hbnl_JnBfcHY9Mi4yJnBfY3Y9MS5_YW55fiZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1
The link above is for Chuck. I believe you may be able to send in your camera based on this service advisory from Nikon (link above). I found it while searching for answers regarding my "Lens Error" problem with my Coolpix 5700. As I can see from all of these posts. Nikon isn't fixing these errors. Of course my camera is almost 5 years old and I experience this problem twice before early on but it hasn't happened since until yesterday. I hope you can get your camera fixed Chuck!
P.S. If anyone does figure out anything with the Lens Error, please post!
Wow. I did a search on lens error; guess I'm not the only one. I just bought the Nikon L3 for my husband as a wedding gift a couple months ago and a couple days ago it slipped out of his hands and lightly hit the ground and well, you all know the rest of the story. 'Lens Error' The thing won't retract. I'm praying the store will take it back or exchange it. I used to work in a camera store and as long as all the packaging is there I believe they are able to just mark it as defective and send it back to the manufacturer. I was just hoping they would give me a new one, but after reading most of these posts, I think I'm going to see if I can get store credit and get another brand instead. I own a fugifinepix and I love the thing. It's taken a beating over the four or five years I've had it and the thing still works great.
I own a coolpix 4300. Guess what? Yes the infamous system error. I tried everything to fix it and it was broken for days. I was just about to give up when I figured I would give it one more try. I got really frustrated and with the camera on and displaying the error I pushed in on the lens as it was stuck about half way out. After giving it a few nice pushes it retracted, I powered off the camera and turned it back on and yay! Its working again, no more sytem error. I hope I do not get this problem again, seems many people are having this issue. I cannot believe for the price you pay for things and the parts you pay for are junk. Next camera I buy is for sure going to be a Cannon, I have heard nothing but good things about them, and cannot say the same thing for Nikon. I know banging and pushing on the lens is normally not a good idea, but I figured when all else fails why not try anything. Really cannot believe force actually worked in this case. But none the less im still not a satisfied customer :(
Same infamous "LENS ERROR" problem on my 5400. (after one year). Very dissapointed w/ Nikon quality. Definitely, Nikon SHOULD admit and SHOULD RECALL every single camera. Lens Gear box is cheap plastic that wears out and ends up getting stuck. The lens will unlock but later photos turn out blury and out of focus. I already bought a Cannon. My advise, stay away from Nikon. Do not even try to fix junk. Get quality.
I may be one of the lucky ones! Compared to many of the problems I have read about. I have the Coolpix 5700 purchased new 2 1/2 years ago for $899. Since the product was so new, there were no reviews available online to read. Im a serious advanced landscape photographer and I am extremely displeased with the performance of this camera. Was my first crack at digital. At least I know now that it wasnt me afterall! Results at best are hit and miss. Sometimes the results are nearly flawless, other times no matter what you do in aperture priority, shutter priority, adjust stops, you cannot get satisfactory results. So many shots along the maine coast have been rendered almost white. I have spent literally hours with the manual, camera on tripod experimenting with this demonic machine! About the only problem I have yet to encounter is the actual "mechanical breakdown" or lens error/gear drive malfunction. I can only hope there is a class action suit against Nikon due to this products performance. In no way, shape or form does it perform up to its lofty status Nikon had us to believe. I will say this, recently purchased the Sony Alpha 100 D-SLR body to match up to my collection of Maxxum lenses I own (my transparency days) and could not be happier. WOW, no stacked and confusing menus. No mistakenly pressed buttons, beautiful easy to read dials up top. MINOLTA, now that was a camera! many thanks to SONY for resurrecting the Minolta camerabody.
my nikon cool pics L6 just got a lens error also. i was shooting the sunrise from the top of diamond head. on the hike down the damn thing died. won't turn off and the lens is stuck out. luckily i bought it from best buy and am on my way to get a brnd new camera. BUY THE TWO YEAR WARRENTY IT IS WORTH IT
I got lens error too within 5 days og purchase of L6 coolpix.. I rushed back to best buy and threw it back. I am so happy now
Well, I guess I am the 244th! We have had our Nikon Coolpix for about 3 or 4 years and today was our "lens error" day. I googled the term hoping for some explanation, other than "its time to buy a new one", but without any quick fixes, it makes absolutely no sense but to invest in a new camera. OBVIOUSLY NOT ANOTHER NIKON!!! Well be sure to pass on the great quality of work NIKON!
I also received a Nikon Coolpix for Christmas this past year. Which means I've had it for barely 2 months and already the flash has stopped working and I got the Lens error message. I smacked it around a bit..I don't think I had a warranty and I'm definitely not going to pay to fix it. So what can it hurt right? It's working now..for the mostpart. Anyone know how to fix the flash though?? My email address is Morbidgoddess06@aol.com. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Another Lens Error tale here. Coolpix L2 6Megas. Bought this in Madrid for 300euros 5 months ago. Dropped it from 50cms height and voila lens error. Have tried pushing the lens in but ain't working. Off to buy a Canon today! (my previous camera was a Canon that got stolen). The Nikon worked well, I love the big screen...until today.
5900 lens error ....dropped from 1 foot high. repair or not? nah....
Nikon Coolpix 5700 Lens Error on my son's 2nd Birthday!
Yes, this afternoon is my only son's 2nd birthday and I went to make sure all batteries were charged this morning and when I turned on the camera I got the Lens Error. I have the lens adapter that I always keep on to protect the lens cylinder and the lens itself.
Anyway, I've gotten some really good pictures with it but in poor lighting it does not do as well as my friend's Sony. In fact, he has two Sony's and they both seem to get better pictures more consistently (better colors outdoor, much better shots indoor and at night simply using the default automatic settings). The Sony menu is also much more intuitive.
Was hoping My Nikon would last another 2 years. This was my first and last Nikon. I'll be getting either a Sony or a Canon next time - maybe an SLR version.
Ed
Birmingham, AL
There is hope......
I checked the internet including this forum and saw that most Lens Error repairs are around $200 - $300. I then checked eBay and the camera sells for about that much. So, fixing it is arguably not worthwhile. I removed the battery and memory card for 10 minutes and tried again. No luck. As such, I had nothing to lose. I gently pushed the lens cylinder back in and heard it pop. So, did it pop into place??? or get totally mangled?
One way to find out.....I powered it on and it is working. Pictures look good.
There is hope! But try this at your own risk. Off to the birthday party!
Ed
Birmingham, AL
In washington this past week on vacation. First day, I get "lens error" on my Nikon 5900.....ARGHH!! It is stuck all the way out, but will not return..I am waering to push on it too hard.
missed out on three days of great photo ops....
seeing that it cost $200-$300 to fix, I am not going to bother with the process. I am glad I found this forum.
While taking the trip of my lifetime in Israel this past summer, got the "Lens Error" message and my 5700 would no longer work. Missed a lot of pictures. This is my 4th coolpix and LAST Nikon product. Sounds like Cannon is the way to go.
BTW, found a guy on ebay who fixes the "Lens Error" problem for $125. Paid the $125 for "the fix". Received the camera back and that problem was fixed (at least for the time being). 2 days later the images are grossly distorted with greenish/purple colors. Find out the new problem is with the CCD. Nikon is fixing this problem at no charge, but wondering why they won't also fix the "Lens Error" problem revolving around what seems to be the plastic gear problem. Oh well, unless Nikon makes restitution for those of us who've already paid to have fixed what seems to be their faullty design, I'll not purchase a 5th Nikon. I'm not holding my breath...so I guess it's Adios, Nikon!
Hi Guys,
I have a Nikon Coolpix 5400. I leant it to a friend when he went on a holiday. He accidently turned on the camera while the lens cap was still on. He took the lens cap off while the camera was still on.
When it was returned to me, shortly after using it the LCD screen flashed "Lens Error" and the lens got stuck half way. A few months later I just read on a similar forum to this that some people have had success, pushing the lens back into the camera while it is off manually.
I thought I had nothing to lose, and bingo it works again now! I don't know how long it will work for, trouble free, but I thought some people would like to know this info.
Cheers
Tiulah, when i was cleaning my Nikon Coolpix L6 lens in marco close up mode(I forgot to turn off the marco close up mode), the lens stuck halfway and nosie were coming from the lens gear! Damn it man! Will not consider Nikon Digicams anymore!
My Coolpix 4800 has the same problem. Barely 1 1/2 years old...conveniently out of warranty of course.
Tara P
I have a CoolPix L6 that I got for my daughter for Christmas. She has gotten the Lens Error message and now I am suppose to send it back to the company. Has anyone experience this with this model. I see that the model 5700 is the biggest problem.
took my coolpix 5700 to be fixed. Camera shop told me there was a recall, gave me a phone number. Nikon gave us an address for free repair.
My Nikon CoolPix 5200 had a "LENS ERROR!" yesterday, the lens stuck inside the camera, can’t do anything about it. Unfortunately, mine is about two years old, I guess it’s way out of the warranty now. What a shame!
~ Ingrid from fairfax, VA
bmmm bmmm bmmmmmm (that is funeral taps for my CP 5400) I'll admit, I cried as if my doggie had been hit by a car when I got the "Lens Error" message. On picture 4406, the auto focus stopped working all together. I'd never had any problems with it and then one day it wouldn't focus. I turned the camera off, counted to 10, and then turned it back on. (my first response to anything electronic that doesn't cooperate)
The lens won't even come out, it just makes a motor noise and then says "lens error." I don't hate Nikon yet, this camera took the best macro shots of any digital camera I've handled. I am shocked at the amount of money that I've seen quoted for repairs. Not sure if it is worth it to get it fixed or just spend the same amount on another 5400. I have yet to find a digital camera that can focus to 1 cm and has the flip screen so I can frame my shot without being on my belly (I do nature macros).... *sigh* I really didn't want to join this club, but if someone does get the class action lawsuit going, I'm all over it!
My Nikon 5700 got a SB error, what a shit!
You go to yahoo shopping and google, and they still rate Nikon as the best brand, what a shame, some one need to go there and tell then stop.
Here is a suggestion on how to prevent you camera from geting "LENS ERROR!"
Using single AF model, in this case, the camera only focus when you press the shutter release button.
Another method is put your camera in a safe box, never use it and you will never get "LENS ERROR!"
remember Never buy Nikon again.
I got the 'lens error' on my CP 5900 midway through a weeklong vacation - lens won't open or extend. So, missed out on the photo ops. Just found this site when I googled the 'lens error'. I can't beleive this has been going on since the first post dated Nov '03. I got this camera June '05 - I should have googled before I got the camera.
And I can't believe there is no official response from Nikon. So, the only thing we could do right now is to spread the word and warn other digicam buyers of this Nikon problem.
I got an online Nikon repair quote from precisioncamera for $181. Of course, you can get a good new Canon for that price.
lens error on my Coolpix 5700. 300 bucks. piece of shit.
Hi i have a Nikon 3200 coolpix. I got this lens error around 6 months ago. Sent it to the dealer JJ Mehta who charged me 3000 rupees (around US$ 80) to repair. Couple of weeks ago the lens error has cropped again. Phoned the Nikon service center InterFota. The guy pretended as if he was hearing the problem the first time ever. Quite frustrating. Anyone has any suggestions. I dont want to buy a Nikon again....ever......
CoolPix 3200
Switched on the camera today morning and the lens started to extend out. stopped in the middle and got the lens error. Removed the battery out and pushed the lens back manually all the way back. then added the battery and started working.
Give it a try. :-)
I have missed so many opportunities for great photos because of the "lens error" problem on my 5700 which I paid $1200 for. I am retired on a small income and now I have to either spend more $$$ to get the 5700 fixed or purchase a new camera. I have read good reviews about the D-80 SLR but am not sure I should take a chance on another Nikon, but I think getting away from the motor driven lenses would be a good move. The price of the D-80 would really hurt my piggy bank bug is it worth spending $300 to fix the 5700 and then have it break again? Maybe I should just go back to film.
I have an older coolpix 3100 but used very little. I connected to the USB cable to download pictures and got the system error followed by the lens error. The lens won't retract.
Mama you can take my Nikon away...
I even got a "Lens Error" with my 15 months old Coolpix 950 several years ago ... No more Nikon for me!
Hi!
Just met the "lens error" message today on my 3 year old Nikon coolpix 5700 camera! I have read about giving the camera a hard knock. After a while I got the courage. IT WORKED! The lense retracted and the camera started again!
So no more stupid stories about non-violence. Hit your coolpix!!
My 5700 shows a black screen after I turn it on.
I called Nikon, there is a service advisory for coolpix series. they ask me to print the form and send it back to Nikon, they will fix it free.
Now I believe all you guys need call Nikno, complain about this, they should do something about this.
As the NO. 1 camera maker, it is really a shame!!
Call this number: 1 800 645 6678
My Coolpix 5700 got a SB error, I called Nikon, they told me it will cost at lease $150 to fix it.
Two days later, the screen is totally black. I have to brought films from COSTCO and use my old Minolta XE7 for my daughter's birthday.
I just love my XE7, it is more than 20 years, but is is still solid and work like a tank.
I dropped my Nikon L6 from the drivers seat of my SUV to the carpeted floor, and got the lens error message. After hours of tinkering, I visited this message board and was about to give up on it. A few minutes ago I rapped it sharply, bottom down on my desk. The viewfinder lit up and it works perfectly now. Now I wonder how long it will work!
I dropped my Nikon L6 from the drivers seat of my SUV to the carpeted floor, and got the lens error message. After hours of tinkering, I visited this message board and was about to give up on it. A few minutes ago I rapped it sharply, bottom down on my desk. The viewfinder lit up and it works perfectly now. Now I wonder how long it will work!
oops
I've had the 'SB' error for over a year, and having seen these posts warning me that Nikon will bleed me dry on this, hadn't attempted to fix it. After taking it out recently to see how it's doing, I see a completely black screen & viewfinder, and if I still try to click, see the SB error. I agree, last time I'll buy a Nikon. They should be called Ni-cons. Ni being for Nickel (& Diming B**tards)
Ditto with the grinding, clattering sound lens malfunction.
My camera is just out of warrenty.
Reading these many posts tells me it is an ongoing problem. Does anyone know how to initiate a recall on the product? It obviously is not mishandling by we users.
Ginger
Owned my 5700 since Dec 2004. Lens Error happened about 18 months in (camera turned on with lens cap on in the bag). With luck, I pushed it in when powering on, and it worked again. However, the gears continued to grind. This was OK until this past April when I got another lens error (same issue - lens opened with cap on - should have learned my lesson). Now the cam is officially a POS. I can force the lens in and out by hand, but the gears just spin around inside. Had the CCD issue fixed last year under the recall, but I am assuming I am SOL with this one. I will never buy Nikon again. I will take my US$700 and put it towards a Canon Digital Rebel instead.
I use my 5700 since 2003.
I even repaired my broken ccd this year (free of charge), but bad thing happened afterwards. I pushed my memory card in the hole too hard and bent one pin. Even when i leveled it up, the camera won' take pictures. Has anyone had any solution ?
tnx
Same lens problem with the 5700. Almost caused me to have a nervous breakdown as I was on a once in a lifetime trip to Europe that I had saved up for years to take. Now retired I really cannot afford this kind of problem not to mention all the missed opportunities while on that European trip. Maybe that is why they call those Kodak moments and not Nikon moments. I suppose if I do manage to get it repaired it would be smart to remove the battery when not using the camera so that the lens cannot accidentally come out and break the gears, if that is what causes the problem.
Same Lens error problem.
Nikon Coolpix L6 .
Camera (5400) works fine until I use the digital zoom (lens error)!! I'm lucky I've used the camera 15 times in 2 yrs can't believe Nikon is turning a blind eye to these problems!! NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A NIKON!! I see a lawsuit!! HOPEFULLY Ron
Same lens problem with the 5200 when I was on a christma´s party.
I don't hate Nikon yet.
I am shocked at the amount of money that I've seen quoted for repairs.
A "lens error" is not the exclusive problem of Nikon. Every other digital camera brand with telescoping lens barrels are subject to this problem. For example, Google "E18 error" to read of Canon owners lamenting never buying another Canon again. As many have discovered, there are several non-invasive techniques that may work in correcting this problem. Here's a compilation of several of these techniques (if the link doesn't work, cut and paste the URL into your browser):
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
Well i know what u guys are talking about, because today i dropped my nikon and when i turned it on, it said "lens error", so guess what!!! I found out how to fix it at home. Just check out your lens and make sure the sliding part of it isnt slightly crooked or out or place and if it is, simpli push it back in or try to gently pull it out. If you cant grab it with your fingers then just go to micheals and get one of the beading tools. with this tool you will be able to really grab on to that specific part and do what ever need be! dudes and dudettes I tottali understand what u mean cuz i was pissed wen i saw the " lens error" message on my new 2 month cam!
Possible cause for lens error. My 5400 starting giving lens error only when lens zoomed out to max extent. The left side mounting lug for neck strap is loose. When I zoom lens out, I can feel the lug move as lens mechanism hits it. I think the mounting screw for the left side neckstrap lug has backed out and hits lens mechanism. If I can disassemble camera, tighten lug, reassemble camera and have it work, I'll be in business! Anyone have experience with successful disassembly and reassembly of a Nikon 5400? KNow of any web sites with pictures of the process?
Lens error:
Add one more mad consumer to the class action against Nikon. You have read it all before. I have two Nikon 7600 cameras. Loved them until this month. Both 1 month out of warranty. Both with stuck lenses!!!! Wish I had found this site before purchase. I am going to contact Nikon...then write reviews on every Nikon site I can find!
My daughter dropped her Coolpix S10 on marble floor & of course got the "lens error" message on screen. I had read someone's suggestion to hold in the preview button (one with camera icon above it) while turning power button on. This worked perfectly. Camera operates great as long as she always turns it on in this manner.
Well, I wanted to add my name to the 'Lense Error' list. I was really annoyed to see manny people out there are having the same problem. Especially since I just purchased several D models for my lab.
I have a suggestion, it's time we let Nikon know the power of the internet. Send out an email to everyone you know and tell them not to purchase Nikon because of their design flaws and attach this blog so they can judge for themselves. Only by hitting them in the pocket will our pleas for a recall be heard.
Peace
i have lens error problem to .. and i want to confirm that #269 solutions is works perfectly for me : smash your coolpix right the bottom of your coolpix lens, lil bit right near the LOCK, FLASH, SIZE, MF button ..
sounds like stupid, but hey its works ;) good luck
Hi!
Just met the "lens error" message today on my 3 year old Nikon coolpix 5700 camera! I have read about giving the camera a hard knock. After a while I got the courage. IT WORKED! The lense retracted and the camera started again!
So no more stupid stories about non-violence. Hit your coolpix!!
Posted by: :) Hugo Johansen at May 12, 2007 10:21 PM
I would really like to thank Antonio Soares for the link to repairs for the lens error problem
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
I bought a Nikon P6000 two weeks ago for digiscoping and was using it for the second time today and got this lens error message.
There are several tips on the link above to help and all I had to do was take the battery out and then the memory card, then put the battery back in and turn on the camera again, then put back in the memory card and thank goodness the camera is working properly again. Hope this might help someone out there and that you all get your cameras working again soon.
my canon powershot g3 digital will not picture display but lcd shows menu and icons
I have a lens error on my Nikon coolpix L6. How can I fix this?
dear of lens error.the reason of error in the lens of compact cameras, it is happen when the cover of the lens (automatic open)has dust and sand around it from in side or there is no synchronization with the time that the lens take to open.caused the cover. and other reason the camera need to adjust for it soft ware.go to the dealer.
Good way of thinking. I love it. Thanks for sharing
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