Panasonic retractable lens problem
Well obviously if the camera still under guarantee, use this benefit...
Otherwise it is not too hard to disassemble your camera and try to repair it.
NOTE: this kind of machines were not made to be repaired when the damage is important. (that is why they are so cheap if you think of all you can do with them and the quality they usually offer). Normally only silly problems like mirrors, lens or any piece out off its place, maybe a broken little piece of plastic, a cut cable or missing screw would be something that can be fixed without new pieces which we do not have and an electronic weld station... I say this because when I go to a technician and he gives me a bill for the half of which a new machine can be purchased... I do not feel like something was repaired...
NOW there is a few screws that you must remove in the right order and place in a secure place, ordered and if you are not too skilled in repairs... also labeled because some of them are slightly different to the others. (just to remember where to put them back).
In cameras like LZ4 with 12X optical zoom and that "reflex" appearance, there is 3 screws on the base, 2 on one side, 1 on the other and you must remove that black one that hides in the center of the plastic structure that you can see when you look at the front with the flash open.
once you have pulled of the back panel be really careful with those two power cables, the one for the LCD screen and the other for the power section. with all the love of the world and a nice thin clamp get the little connectors off CAREFULLY.
Then with the same care take the data cables (flat cables) unattached (there is a little plastic piece that you must move to release them). Then put the panel in a safe place.
You are now looking to the printed board, the chips and stuff...
try not to touch anything rudely. There will be at least four screws that hold the board to the other structure, remove them first and the remove two more that you will see if you look at the upper center part of the opened camera just behind the board. Those two are holding the shutter button panel and the flash.
NOTE: the one on the right, that holds the shutter panel is longer than the other... REMEMBER THIS WHEN PUTTING THE PIECES ANS SCREWS BACK TOGETHER.
then almost all the camera will be able to be disassembled, NOW: TAKE CARE WITH THE FOLLOWING:
1. The flat cable for the Viewfinder is TOO Important and its not well attached, the piece of plastic that holds it firm is really thin and weak, be careful or your Viewfinder will be off. Take it out and then do the same with the flats on the middle lower and upper part of the camera, the flat cable which is up behind the board is a little hidden and must be released manually just by taking it out, IT has no plastic holder... but do not worry it is safe and easy to put it back if you are delicate.
2. The shutter and the mini USB panels both up and side can be released: the first one is attached to the board by one of these flat cables.
3. Finally there is a group of thin cables at the side of the viewfinder that may hold the board a little... just move them to get the board unleashed.
Once you have done it (if I am not forgetting anything) you will be
able to separate the board which you must treat very carefully.
now you see the lens cannon which can be separated too. The rest is just plastic.
The lens structure is simple but it is extremely important for the zoom function that this part is perfectly working. If you lens system is stuck you need to work on this part:
First you must do is find the little engine on the side of the cannon and take it out so you wont force and brake it when you move the structure. There are 3 screws or 4 that you have to remove to be able to get to the lens. Remove them and you will be able to access inside the cannon by moving the plastic roll. If you manage to understand how it works and after unlocking the stuck you find that nothing is out of place and there is no rare sound going in there. The problem might just be solved. But if you want to make sure so you wont need to assemble and do it all over again... try this:
the structure has two main parts: one is attached to the back part of the cannon and there you have a series of flat cables which you should not release. This part holds the engine that moves the system lens in and out. The other part is holding the exterior lens. These are linked by two metal bars which holds the middle lens inside the cannon. That lens is which usually gets out of place and must be put back on. To access this lens you have to move this zoom system till it gets tho a limit where you can gently release and separate both parts. Do it over a soft place like a rag or something like that to avoid damages if some part falls. Once its open you have to make sure all the pieces are holding the right way. The middle lens must slide freely through the canals in the tube and there is only one position for the two parts to be put together so you just have to use your eyes to assemble or disassemble the cannon. Once you make sure it is right you may manually move the zoom slowly in and out and there you will find if something is broken or suck, if everything is alright you will be able to fully extend or close the cannon. ONLY THEN you must put the engine and the screws back in place. If some screw does not want to enter something must be out of place.
Then you just have to put all the pieces back together, you have only to read this backwards to find out how. If this does not fix the stuck lens problem. You will have to spend some money with a technician and maybe replacing parts.
REMEMBER, if you treat each part with the needed care you wont have problems. So DO NOT FORCE any part, it is better to call for aid if you cannot do something.
if your are a good person I hope you succeed!
CARPENOCTE.