!zoom Error

[windchime walker]

That's what I see when I try to take a new pic on my formerly trustworthy Fujifilm FinePix 2800 Zoom camera. And the lens will not retract when I turn the power off. It will not allow me to take any new pix but will let me see old pix in the LCD monitor and download those pix.

The problem started last week on a camping trip. It was a wet week and I'm wondering if that might have something to do with it.

I've tried changing batteries, and changing the setting from auto to manual, but nothing seems to help. Any ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[speaklightly]

It sounds like you got some water intrusion into your digital camera during your camping trip to me.

Sarah Joyce

[mard]

the zoom error came up for me last night-please give me an update as to how you solved this problem
thanks

[kubriguy]

I have the same problem with my FinePix 3800 not retracting the lens when I turn it off and notable to take new pictures. Any idea on cost to repair/time?

[judge9847]

I had the same problem with my 6800Z in the summer of 2003. It was caused by heat - I'd been using it on what was a record hot day for the UK!! Not a good idea.

I removed the battery (hit and hope, no logic to doing that), I let the camera cool off, put the battery back and the lens retracted. I've not had that problem arise again. Perhaps I was lucky.

BUT ... it did leave a problem with the CCD and I think a good number of pixel sensors were damaged because on things like bright blue sky, there's a grey smudge, a bit like a fingerprint maybe, at the top and to the right of each picture. I can use the zoom and it's markedly less but doesn't go no matter what I do to the camera. I just clone it out if there's anything I want to keep.

Mostly though these days, I use it only for macro work and the mark isn't easily seen.

[Duncan]

Made by heat and damp not a really big problem but a pain. best thing to do is leave the camera to "air" NOT IN CUPBOARDS or by window shoud make a diffrence.

[kama96]

I just purchased the E550 for Christmas and getting the same
zoom error. After searching on the error, I have found this
problem has been around for a few years. And on many fuji
Camara's. Has anyone discovered what the real problem is?
All I have seen is suggestions on how to fix it.
Thanks for any reply,

[Landmarkbob]

Purchased the E550 just befor Xmas and for three weeks enjoyed the heck out of it...Terrific camera for an amateur...Then this "zoom Error" freeze of the lens deal happened. Sent the camera back to thier service facility with the proper forms from thier web site. Cost less than $9 Priority mail, insured and delivery acknowledged. Turn over and back in less than 12 days. Hope this helps and hope it does not happen again.

[borruso]

The same problem happened to me. I was on a school feild trip to the ymca. Being in the sun all day is probably what the problem is. I can turn my camera on and look at the pictures, but I am not able to TAKE any pictures. This is the second time it has happened to me. The first time, the lens was stuck out, so I could gently push it back into place. This time the lense is stuck INSIDE and there is no way of me getting inside and pulling it out without damaging the camera.

[Billw]

This is a common problem. I have had this happen 3 times in 18 months. Someone from their Edison, NJ repair facility told me that they have replaced a lot of lens with new lens which should fixed the problem. Most of the time they just clean the lens and send it back, only to happen again. Fuji knows that this is a big problem with this camera but hasn't done a recall or notice to owners.

[srd94]

We were on vacation yesterday in NYC at the NYC Ballet, the only thing in NYC my daughter wanted to see and I got the zoom error. All the other posts I have read related the error to heat but it was 44 degrees yesterday. It seems to have corrected itself tonight. No apparent reason. luckily we had an extra camera with us.

[jjlad]

I've had the same problem with my S7000z, three times now.
Currently it is in for repair. It seems when Fuji has a problem with something...it's a real problem! I love the camera when it is working but my downtime due to malfunctions has been very annoying.

[stewferg]

After receiving my quote of $600 aussie dollars from fuji to fix my 2nd hand
S7000, I decided to buy a whole new camera (Lumix FZ50). I've had my old 'broken' S7000 in a cupboard for the last 12 months - pulled it out tonight, found this forum, and had a go at fixing it myself. OUTCOME = GOOD ! Remedy is quite simple - unscrew the 6 tiny phillips screws around the lens cylinder, carefully remove the manual focus ring, then whilst holding the camera with lens aiming down, pull apart the lens cylinder casing from rest of camera - take caution not to disturb the inner-workings of the manual focus setup - it can be a little difficult to figure how it fits back into position if it is disturbed (lining up screw holes & stuff - not too hard though so don't be too afraid) Upon removal of lens casing, you can now manually turn the lens out of its little hidy-hole. Don't force it - those tiny little gears don't take a lot to strip. Now insert your batteries & turn on the camera. If you're lucky like me, that blasted ZOOM ERROR message will be gone ! Turn camera off & watch the lens go back into hiding, then re-assemble the lens casing. Its actually really easy to do - wish I'd figured this out before spending another grand on another camera though.

[bnishanth]

Hi,

then whilst holding the camera with lens aiming down, pull apart the lens cylinder casing from rest of camera

I opened the MF Ring after removing the six phillips screws. I could not pull out the lens cylinder case and was scared to put in more force. How do we do it, can you please elaborate ? It will be of great help..

Thanks..!!

[MarcellaL]

Hi, I just found a post in a tech support site that explain with photos and step by step information how to solve the "Zoom Error". They also have free live chat support.

Here is the page for the Zoom Error Solution (http://www.fixya.com/support/t143152-fuji_zoom_error_message)

Good luck

Marcella