Hi,
I have a Canon S3. I used it in the month of Aug,2007 and then used it just few days back.I do not see anything on the LCD screen except for the icons. I replaced the batteries, tried a new sd card, reset for default settings. It clicks the pictures but does not display anything on the LCD. When I look at the clicked pictures on the computer, they are all black. I also cannot see anything even through the view finder.
I bought this Camera in May,2006. So it's just few month over an year. Could anyone suggest what could the problem be. Is there a possibility that any buttons have got pressed and shut the LCD screen of. If so what could be done. Your help is really apprecaited.
I have a similar problem with my Canon S3 IS. Dark/black LCD in Shooting mode. However, I can view my existing photos in Display mode. I was about to spend money to get a Panasonic TZ5. Somehow I bumped into a solution post for S2 IS. Here is the link:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t1090569-black_screen
I tried their solutions twice and it WORKS. My S3 is working fine now.
Posted on May 28, 2009
Canon PowerShot S3 IS shutter problem. Shutter does not respond. Screen is black. No pictures are seen. It sounds like it it taking a picture, but doesn't. When looking into lens, it doesn't appear the Shutter is responding.
A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, sometimes with lines, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open).
To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.
Posted on Jan 09, 2011
recently inherited the canon powershot s3 is digital camera without the digital camera solution cd-rom. If anyone has the download of know how i can get a copy of the cd-rom. Please help
here is all the software from canon
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=DownloadDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=322&modelid=13077
hope this helps
Posted on Apr 23, 2008
Hi,
I have a Canon S3. I used it in the month of Aug,2007 and then used it just few days back(Oct,2007).I do not see anything on the LCD screen except for the icons. I replaced the batteries, tried a new sd card, reset for default settings. I also cannot see anything even through the view finder.
It clicks the pictures but does not display anything on the LCD. When I look at the clicked pictures on the computer, they are all black/no image.
I bought this Camera in May,2006. So it's just few months over an year. Could anyone suggest what could the problem be. Is there a possibility that any buttons got pressed and shut the LCD screen off. If so what could be done. Your help is really apprecaited.
Mine was the "optical assembly"
I wrote Canon's president pointing out all these postings about this issue and how the other earlier Powershots and A models had this issue and were part of service recalls. I compared Canon to Toyota, hoping it wasn't aware of the problem despite all the online chatter. I also said I was sad I could no longer recommend buying high end Canon photo or video products to organizations any more all over them not wanting to do a $130 repair on a widely publicized issue.
Outcome. I heard promptly from a Canon rep. They paid for speed shipping to Chicago service center. I had it back in 3 days, fixed for free. The repair sheet says "the optical assembly did not operate propoerly causing no image output... it was replaced..."
Posted on Mar 11, 2010
I have a new pc running Windows 7. I installed my Canon software and had no errors when loading it; however, the Camera Window won't open so it can retreive the pictures off my camera. I removed and re-installed the software and it is still a no-go. Please help! Dying to get my pictures off my camera and use this new PC!
This is correct. The S3 is discovered by windows 7 and will allow download of pictures by Windows Picture download. The Canon Utilities software - Zoombrowser - will not work with windows 7 as the software cannot detect the Camera via Windows 7.. Also, Camera window will not start, if using the PC/laptop for remote image recording. If you virtualise XP within Windows 7 this still will not work. The only solution at the moment, if you are deperate, like I was (as I use the Remote Capture process a lot), is to either stick with Win Xp or Dual boot XP on a smaller partition.
Posted on Jan 22, 2010
I get a error message everytime i insert a sd memory card into my canon powershot s3 camera at times it says the memory card is locked or simply it saids that there is a memory card error it cannot read or write to the card is the problem repairable how can the problem be fixed
I get a memory card error everytime I insert a memory card. They are not locked and I have tried 4 different memory cards and nothing works. How can this problem be fixed?
Posted on Sep 27, 2008
when I turn on my camera the canon logo is okay then the screen turns black... When I take a are black tried the video it is also black. I can view pictures that were taken before without any issues. I can also see the menu okay go into settings okay screen does display what setting that I am using can you please help me with this issue...
This sounds like a common image sensor failure. Unfortunately Canon stopped fixing this problem over a year ago. Parts are NLA.
Posted on Feb 04, 2013
My zoom will not work. I can take pictures if I don't zoom, but as soon as I try to zoom in, the screen goes black, the camera beeps a few times and a message that says "lens error, restart camera". However, upon restarting the camera, nothing changes - it still won't zoom!. Also, when turning on the camera, when the lens first comes out...it sounds funny, like it is puttering. Help?
Powershot S3 IS: lens error message, lens juddering on startup but not coming out. Tried all tricks on internet without success, so decided to dismantle camera. Localised fault to optical position encoder on first transfer gear of the ultrasonic motor which controls lens position. Sensor was misaligned and/or dirty, so the camera could not detect motor rotation. Removed sensor, cleaned it, glued back in position with cyanoacrylate glue. Reassembled camera (only one internal bolt left over - not bad!) Working 100% again.
Posted on Jul 29, 2010
lens stuck open
Your camera has a lens error, this
is such a common fault that I hope you don't mind me pasting my stock
generic answer below. No point in reinventing the wheel!
Stuck lenses are probably the most common
reason that compact digital cameras get thrown away, but there's a fair
chance of recovering use of your camera again
The fault is
commonly caused by dirt or grit blocking the mechanism, or due to it
having suffered a recent fall. Another common cause is that the camera
was in a pocket or bag and the power button accidentally activated and
tried to open the lens against resistance. The mechanism may have simply
become
dislodged or there may be parts which have broken.
If your camera
is still under warranty and has definitely not been subject to misuse
then contact the Canon service department in your country to find out about a free repair. If
the warranty has expired though a professional repair will far exceed
the
cost of replacing your camera. You will therefore have nothing to lose
by
trying to fix this yourself.
Please click here
and you will be taken to an excellent article provided by the Camera
Repair website. For the most part, you'll be guided on how to physically
manipulate your camera to try and clear the fault. Although the article
mentions Canon a few times, the advice applies equally to all cameras
with lens errors and is not model-specific.
If the link doesn't work then cut and paste the following address into your browser:-
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
Good
luck, I hope you manage to use this information to fix your camera.
Please take a moment to rate the speedy and free answer I have provided for you and
any testimonial which you might wish to add is always welcome!
Posted on Oct 10, 2010
I just purchased a new Powershot xs30 is camera and am disappointed to find such a skimpy manua! I would like to have a more detailed manual so that I can learn to use it properly rather than just guessing. is this possible? Sandy
You can download the basic and advanced user guides and more from the manufacturer's web site at
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/support/consumer/digital_cameras/powershot_g_series/powershot_s3_is#BrochuresAndManuals
Posted on Nov 30, 2010
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