Digital cameras 101

[fros111]

Good Afternoon,

I just bought a Kodak LS 443 digital camera from a friend yesterday in the hopes of being able to repair it.  When i turn it on it has an E45 error and the lense makes a whirring noise but does not extend out.  I believe the the error is that the cammera cannot focus because a gear is not catching inside to be able to extend and retract the lense.  Is this a fair assumption or can someone steer me in the right direction?

I have taken it apart myself as the warranty was already voided and professional repairs will cost just as much as the camera.  I have seen the inside of the camera but failed to get behing the lense to see if a gear is missing.  Should I attempt to look behind there or does the problem lay elsewhere?  

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am looking forward to taking pictures with this great camera.

---Don

[bdery]

Hi fros111,

we do not offer repairs advice as each camera is different, and repairs can get very complicated. I can give you my general feeling, that's all.

If the lens does not extend, then it's probably not a focus problem, more like the zoom motor being faulty. Opening the lens to look at it could damage the sensor, the lens barrel, the lens itself, or wreck the alingment of the optics. Among othe things.

Long story short : if the problem is inside the lens, and if you don't really know what you're doing, you could create more trouble than you would solve. Of course, if the camera is useless as it is, you can have your fun and look around.