fuji e550 zoom error

[jwonet]

new camera just out of the box. inserted charged batteries and 256 xd card powered on and zoom extended about half way out then Zoom Error message appeared on the screen. powered on and off a number of times with the same result. Any ideas or advice on this issue

[Donna O'Leary]

I have the same error message on my brand new Fuji Finepix E550. It worked ok for awhile, but a couple of times it seemed to "lock up" and would not take pics. But after changing batteries and/or turning it off and on, it seemed to be ok. But now it is stuck in the halfway-out zoom position (lens cover is closed tho) and I am getting the "zoom error" message. Owners manual says "zoom error" indicates a camera malfunction. I called Fuji authorized repair in NJ, and was told I have to send it in and pay for shipping and required insurance. They will only pay to send it back. I ordered it online and e-mailed the seller yesterday, but am not too hopeful they will exchange it for a new one. I've been doing some surfing and am finding other postings with same "zoom error" on new E550. It would appear my camera is not just an isolated lemon. Looks like it might be Fuji's lemon. I did a lot of research on the web as to what digital to buy for my first one (I'm an SLR holdout), and I narrowed it down to two models. Obviously I picked the wrong one. What a bummer.

[msjace2u]

I had the same problem with mine and I tried several suggestions, BUT the only one that has worked is to gently grab the lens, pull it out as far as it will go until fully extended. While keeping it extended turn the lens to the right until you hear a click. Once you hear the click, release the lens and turn the power button on and then back off again. This should take care of the problem. A word of warning. ALWAYS make sure your fingers do not touch the front of the lens when you power on the camera. Even the slightest bit of obstruction seems to make the problem reoccur. Another note. I had tried this several times until I finally heard the click, so please don't give up on it, just keep trying. This will work and it will save you a lot of time and money having it fixed.

[shu246]

'...to the right...'

that would be clockwise as you face into the front of the camera?

[mupper]

I was having the same problem with my fuji s5000... tried everything with no success, so I just gave the bugger a few quick hits and lo it started working again.

[Stophle]

I've had my e550 since january and haven't had this problem. How long had you all had your camera before it started doing this?

[syntxtrr]

I had the same problem with mine and I tried several suggestions, BUT the only one that has worked is to gently grab the lens, pull it out as far as it will go until fully extended. While keeping it extended turn the lens to the right until you hear a click. Once you hear the click, release the lens and turn the power button on and then back off again. This should take care of the problem. A word of warning. ALWAYS make sure your fingers do not touch the front of the lens when you power on the camera. Even the slightest bit of obstruction seems to make the problem reoccur. Another note. I had tried this several times until I finally heard the click, so please don't give up on it, just keep trying. This will work and it will save you a lot of time and money having it fixed.

I had this problem with my Fuji E550 after about 4 months after owning the camera and was about to send it back because of the zoom error. I tried the above trick and it worked great. Definitely better than sending it back.

[fturra]

i've had the same exact problem on my brand new fuji e550. When i was trying to zoom in, the lenses locked and the "zoom error" message never left me..
I was thinking of sending it to the tech. assistance since it's still warranted. So i was wondering, do you think they'll charge me for this or is it covered by the warranty ?
Cause i don't want to pay for something that is not my fault! I hope it does come out for free.

[pocketdictionary]

I don't know if I am having the zoom error. Where does the error message appear?

I just bought my E550 off of eBay. Got it home, popped in a 256 xD card -- also bought off eBay -- and tried taking pictures. The camera works fine, BUT THERE IS ONE MAJOR PROBLEM. It can only take one picture at a time and it shuts itself off! I snap a picture, the screen goes dark. It appears if the battery is dead, the lens stays extended and everything. Then the thing will power up fine and it's as if nothing happened. It doesn't store the pictures either. I think it shuts off before it can store them. Is this a problem with the camera or the xD card? At first I thought it was just low batteries, but I'll put brand new ones in and it'll still happen. It DOES intermittantly display a low battery icon on the LCD. Could it be draining the batteries too fast due to some internal problem?

If anyone could help me out... I just want some suggestions on what might be the problem. We have a local camera shop I could take it to, but I don't think they know very much abuout digital cameras.

[fturra]

the "zoom error" message appears on the LCD and the lenses don't even move. They stay still the entire time...
about your problem, i would think there is some problem with your battery compartment (or connections). Have you tried to use your camera with the AC Adapter ? If it works, then it is definitely a problem with your battery or battery compartment. If it doesn't... well, then i would send it to the tech. assistance

[woody70]

sent mine in for repair, works good now, only had it 6 months before this happened. problem with sending it in was MackCamera had it a MONTH before they got it back to me! :mad:

[margaret]

i have only had my camera 6 weeks and it has had a repair which only lasted a week

[minglai]

The Consumers Report rated it as one of the Quick Picks and I went to several stores to try to buy it tonight. Thank goodness I could not find it. And after I went home I saw all these complaints about Fuji's lens failing to retract here and also in amazon.com. Actually I bought a Fuji 2800 Zoom in 2003 and in Dec 2004 its lens failed to retract. Fortunately it was still under my credit card's extended warranty. But last month the same problem happened again and it was out of warranty, and the repair shop was not able to find the part anyway. Before investigating it on the Inernet, I did not realize that this lens problem turned to be very prevalent Well, now I am not going to buy Fuji again.

[dancingbear]

Same thing happened to me. Sent camera in for repair and they fixed it - sent it back, now THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING! Definitely a lemon! The lady on the phone said the e450 would be given as a replacement option? Maybe she meant the f450 since I've never heard of the e450?? The e550 is a lemon and hopefully they will get us a new one quicker than 1 1/2 months (which it took last time).

[jckinne]

Yup, the fuji fury method works. Though I did not have to pull, and twist, very hard, manually turning the lens until it is fully extended and until it clicks seems to work. Turn the lens, gently, in the direction that extends the lens until it is fully extended and open. Good luck.

[Billw]

This is a common problem. See the Fuji E550 thread. It is mentioned over and over again.

[flickr/f32]

I had the same problem with mine and I tried several suggestions, BUT the only one that has worked is to gently grab the lens, pull it out as far as it will go until fully extended. While keeping it extended turn the lens to the right until you hear a click. Once you hear the click, release the lens and turn the power button on and then back off again. This should take care of the problem. A word of warning. ALWAYS make sure your fingers do not touch the front of the lens when you power on the camera. Even the slightest bit of obstruction seems to make the problem reoccur. Another note. I had tried this several times until I finally heard the click, so please don't give up on it, just keep trying. This will work and it will save you a lot of time and money having it fixed.

My camera jammed zoom-out but lens cover shut. You know when you are gently turning in the right direction when you see the lens cover begin to open. Stop when it is fully open. Thanks for your great tip!

[dogsballs]

had this camera for 16 months before i got the dreaded 'zoom error' message ,contacted the fujifilm web page and got a quote of £99.99 to fix this error or get a trade in price of £28 against a new camera.
next i checked ebay and there are thousands of these as factory refurb's for about £90-£100, next i googled 'finepix E550 zoom error' and the very first page was Digital Camera ..scanned down and saw the fix posted by MSJace2u
it worked a treat so a big thanks MSJace2u and all at digital camera.
its obvious that the cameras that are being sent back to fujifilm are finding thiere way to ebay after maybe this quick fix

[jeijck]

Hi SHU246

Thanks for the great tip, I am happy again.

My E550 was out of warranty, nad I love this camera.

My son jammed it, and I did not know what he did, with your tip I mannaged to fix it.

I would expect to find a tip like this on the finepix site, but then I suppose they want to make money :-(

Thanks again :-)

John

[cvbn52]

solved my worries...
registered just to say thanks,,,

[robbobo]

I got this from stevesdigicams:
"Zoom error is easily fixed. Gently pull lens barrel out to full extension. You will hear a click. Then turn camera off and on again. Done.

In my case problem was that a transparent waterproof bag didn't allow full lens extension. I found the solution through

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7593-0.html?forumID=58&threadID=11947&messageID=688826"

[barryindallas]

I just received an E-550 off Ebay in perfect shape for only $60.00, Tonight I got one for only $25.00 (including shipping) seller said he was getting the "zoom error" message even though it hadn't been used much. I hope your tip helps this cam out too, then I'll know I REALLY got a bargain :) The one I got earlier is a great cam.

Barry

[barryindallas]

I just received an E-550 off Ebay in perfect shape for only $60.00, Tonight I got one for only $25.00 (including shipping) seller said he was getting the "zoom error" message even though it hadn't been used much. I hope your tip helps this cam out too, then I'll know I REALLY got a bargain :) The one I got earlier is a great cam.

Barry

My $25.00 (Zoom Error) E-550 just arrived, took the tip advice and now it's good as new, thanks everyone!!!

Barry