opening A70? (not under warranty)

[pianoplayer88key]

I've had an A70 sitting in a drawer since before I got my S1 IS (which is now having the CCD problem 100% of the time). I just recently got it out, and am wondering if anyone has any tips/info on opening up the camera? It has a stuck lens due to being dropped. I was just wondering if I could try opening it up and see what's inside it. No worries about breaking it - it's already broken, or voiding warranty - long since expired.
BTW, I have removed a few screws already, gotten the shutter button cover off, and can partially get apart the front and back of the camera at the bottom, but it's still attached on top. I saw a couple websites that mentioned the top being held together with clips and it should pry apart. So what should I do next? While it's open, I might take a look at some other things. Since the camera was non-functional when it was put together, it won't matter if it's non-functional when/if it's put back together (at this point I would just have to re-install a few screws.)
Besides the learning experience, one reason I would like to attempt this (if I can get it to work) is so I at least temporarily have a camera until I can replace my S1 IS (I've already posted a thread about that in the "What Camera Should I Buy" forum, and will not go into detail here.) (And, if I can successfully dismantle and reassemble the A70, I might POSSIBLY consider doing the same to the S1 IS to see about the CCD connections...)

[BowerR64]

Do you have pictures of it? The A70 has these pints the outter lens (silver) ride in these grooves on the inner tube. If the lens is in a certin position and it gets jammed the outter silver lens will pop up out of the grooves then jam into a section where it gets stuck. It can also have jammed gears, ide need to see the front of the camera to know forsure.

If you notice on the A series the front of the lens has a little square section, this section is where the lens flaps close down protecting the front lens. If you notice the square is parallel with the body. If the lens is jammed it will usualy turn about 10 degrees to the right and then you can tell.

If its square and jammed then you may need to take it apart. If its not you can grip it tight then twist it and pop it back into the grooves. Check it out and see if anything i mention looks like whts wrong with yours.

The A70 is part of the CCD issue also but it sounds like its a mechanical probelm

If you still wanna take it apart (because its fun) here is a little guide http://www.artecdesign.ee/~jan/Kaamerad/PowerShotA70/index.html good pictures.

[pianoplayer88key]

Attached are a few pics of it.

Also, where can I get an online translation of a website from Estonian to English? Google's translation site doesn't have it, neither does the fish - any other suggestions?

[ben7337]

well it looks messed up to me. do you agree bower? it certainly is not int he sameposition as the pics in the review here.

[BowerR64]

Yeah i had one just like that. I just pulled and twisted it counterclockwise and it poped back into position and my brother has been using it for about 4-5 months now. He had to send it in for the CCD thing but the lens mechanism is working ok.

[pianoplayer88key]

I showed this thread to my dad, and he tried the pull and twist trick, and we couldn't get it to budge (although we did "extend" the lens a couple mm.) He didn't want to try to apply more pressure than he was, and when I applied a moderate (toward the firm side) amount of pressure, I couldn't get it to hardly move, either.
Did you grasp the inner portion (the part that sticks out farthest when the camera is on), or the outer portion (the recessed, outer ring)? Also how much effort did you have to use?
Also, we took it somewhat farther apart, following the pics on that site you linked. Here's some more pics....

So should I attempt something at this point, or continue it's dismantlation (if that's even a word)?

(side note: if I dismantle it further, is it possible to replace the CCD with, say, a 6mp 1/1.7" Fuji superCCD (the one with good high ISO performance used in the F30, or maybe an even larger one, but lower resolution, for even better high ISO performance), the lens with something like a 24-72mm 35mm equivalent F/1.4 to F/4.0 (or something)? Or would I run into software issues, and/or would the physical modifications necessary to incorporate a larger sensor and faster lens (notice I actually suggested a REDUCTION in 35mm equivalent focal lengths) make it not an option?)

[BowerR64]

Well if you cant pull and twist the front section out you may have to take it further apart. It gets pretty tricky from here. Its so packed together, you have to take out the LCD, the buttons, the CF socket just to get the lens mechanism out. Then pull the gears out and try and work the front back into position with the gears out.

It looks further twisted now, i think you may have twisted the wrong way. If your holding the body of the camera in your left hand (asuming your right handed) you want to grip the tip of the lens with your right hand and twist it COUTER CLOCKWISE.

How much pressure? well figure how much the camera weighs X the fall it took. Say it fell 4 feet? so the weight of the camera falling 4 feet landing right on the front of the lens. Thats probobly an impact similar to hitting it with a hammer with a moderate swing. lol

Dont give up though because that camera still take good pictures. People still buy them broken on e-bay for $20-$30

It took me a few times before i figured out where each screw went and how it all fit together. I think i put about 8 hours into it the first time. Each time i got more fermiliar with it. I didnt have that guide to fallow then. It should be easier for you if you fallow that guide you get a visual where it all fits together.

pull the lens out, away from the body and twist counter clockwise. Or take it further apart. WATCH THE 2 CONTACTS ON THAT CAP!!! that sucker will bite your ass. :eek:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/BowerR64/Junk/A70repair.jpg