F30fd barrel/lens "focus error," will not close, clicking

[ooglek]

Argh!

This winter my LCD got cracked, I replaced it, worked like a champ. Now on my daughter's bday somehow this happened.

When I turn it on, I get a "Focus Error." When I turn it off, there is some clicking, but no barrel/lens retraction into the housing. I made a video to make it clear:

Broken Fujifilm F30fd "Focus Error"

[youtube]5POYfISsYA8[/youtube] (too bad it doesn't work, see this vBulletin post)

Thus far, my Googling has resulted in some suggestions of dirt/sand (probably not the problem, was in a pocket for 30 minutes, not near any sand/dirt), but most just say "send it to Fuji for repair."

I've taken it apart before, so I'm comfortable doing it again, but I was hoping that someone may have had this problem before and fixed it on their own. I have a lot of small tools and a steady hand -- I'm happy to try.

[ooglek]

No thoughts?

[tim11]

That's not a common problem to F30/F31 series. A pocket is dirty place - just consider how much dirt and dust gather there?
My thought? Fixing it myself? Not me. Not when I don't know what I'm doing.
What's yours?

[ooglek]

Originally Posted by tim11

That's not a common problem to F30/F31 series. A pocket is dirty place - just consider how much dirt and dust gather there?
My thought? Fixing it myself? Not me. Not when I don't know what I'm doing.
What's yours?

I replaced the LCD on the F30 4 months ago, so I'm comfortable opening it up. However, there were several videos on YouTube documenting the process, which emboldened me to do so. Not so much with the issue here.

Pockets can be dirty, but having owned this guy for 2-3 years, 30 minutes in my pocket probably didn't do it. I probably whacked it while it was in my pocket accidentally. It's just frustrating, that's all.

I haven't found any forum posts on anyone who has experienced the problem AND NOT sent it to Fuji for repair... so I guess that's what I'll do.