Kodak EasyShare Z712 Digital Camera - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Hi Can you try to turn off the Flash? as this is the only part where it drains the power much to keep the capacitor charged. Try this and at the same time you can check if any firmware upgrade is also available online or some other source on the net.

You're screwed.

If you know what is wrong, you could perhaps fix the problem. But not knowing if it is a defective switch, a broken flat cable, the capacitor, or even the flash light, I think it will be imposible to repair it yourself. Just check if you did chose the right menu and options. Could it be you switched off the flash manualy in one of the settings?

Unit needs to go for repairs.

This is not good news. If you are using good quality batteries then the fault is with the camera. This will mean shop time, not a consumer fix.

Hello Robert, This unit has no internal battery, the setting run off the main batteries.

Consider NOT connecting your camera to your computer.The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program such as Picasa.

Go to this website for possible solutions:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

I have the same problem... cleaning the contacts does not work. I'm using NiMH 2450 mAmp batteries, brand new, and I get a low battery indicator immediately. Camera shuts off unexpectedly. A short search online indicates that HUNDREDS of people are having the same problem. Kodak help not very helpful. I'm ready to buy something else!

is there any maintance center in your place? if it is not, you can buy the shutter button from some website and fix it by yourself.here is some website that may help you.
www.skiliwah.cn/
http://www.digitalcamera-parts.net/
e-mail:[email protected]

In that case, you need to bring it to the repair shop to check what the problem is. LCD screen is to sensitive.

The best way to download pictures from your camera to your computer involves removing the memory card from the camera and plugging it into a card reader (either built-in to the computer or connected via USB or FireWire). This is likely to be faster than connecting the camera to the computer, and won't run down your camera's batteries.

Once the card is plugged in, it will appear to your computer as a removable drive. You can use the operating system's drag&drop facility to copy pictures from the card to the computer's hard drive, the same way you copy any other files. Or you can use any photo cataloging program, such as Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com ).

Somehow, you started using the camera's internal memory which is very small. With no card in the camera, go into the menu and find "format"...follow the on-screen instructions to erase the internal memory. Then, insert your card and it should work properly.

Press the MENU button. Use up/down to highlight "Date Stamp" and press the OK button.

I am sorry I can't help, but I am in the same position. My camera's LCD screen broke, but the camera is fine other than that. I'd rather buy a $59 screen than a $200+ replacement. I'd appreciate you passing on an info on how to replace the screen. Thanks and I hope your camera is working great now!

The camera is not coming on because movement of the lens is restrcted. The problem could be that some dust is stuck in the lens well between the lens housing and the well wall. Please use your hairdryer to blow the specs of dust and free the lens movement. Once the dust is dislodged, the lens will move freely and the camera will bootup.

Digital cameras in general use a lot of battery power; this one in particular is noted for short battery life. When it was new, this camera was supplied with a Lithium Ion battery for longer life; if you're using regular AAs, the battery life will be disappointing. Oh, and cheap batteries from the dollar store might not even work at all!

The most cost effective solution is probably high capacity NiMH rechargeable batteries; get a set of four so that you can have spares on hand. If even that isn't acceptable, look into getting the Lithium Ion one.

If you bought this camera used, the short battery life could easily be the reason the original owner got frustrated with it.

Hello
You especially might consider this if the lens barrel appears obviously damaged, bent, or crooked such as from a fall. Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.
hope it helps, if not take camera to the technician, if so
DO RATE THE SOLUTION
Good Luck

You may have the batteries put back incorrectly - check the polarity positioning as show on the label.

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include "E18 lens error", or "lens error, restart camera". Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.

The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many cameras, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.

A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.

Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.

The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.

Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in "no heat" setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).

Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.

Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.

Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.