February 10, 2010
You Can Repair Your Canon SD Series Lens Barrier Covers Yourself!
So many different people have asked us about fixing the built in lens covers/barriers/flaps on their Canon Powershot SD series digital cameras that I’ve gone ahead and written some instructions. The barrier kit on most Canon PowerShot SD series cameras is a little tricky but not impossible to replace yourself. All you need is some patience, a steady hand and a small tipped screwdriver. We’ve been using dental picks for some time, they do a good job!
To get things started, turn on the camera to extend the lens and then open the battery door and remove the battery so that the lens stays out. This allows you to easily work on the lens barrier assembly.
First the part we need is the ‘barrel drive ring’, it’s the ring with the small piece that sticks down into the lens. Some cameras don’t have one, so if there isn’t one in your kit then your camera doesn’t need it. Make sure it rotates slightly once it has been inserted, otherwise it’s not in properly and can jam the lens.
Next are the springs and flaps. Put one spring on each of the flaps, there are little tabs to hold them on. They are TINY, they are hard to hold and if you drop it… please take my advice and don’t drop it, ok? If you do lose some springs, we have them available on their own in our store for you to purchase.
Carefully put the cover or ‘flap’ in the hole with the spring pointing towards the post where the other end will connect, and then with something with a tiny and pointy tip (we use dental picks!) gently grab the loop of the spring and stick it on its post.
Do this with the flaps in the open position, they will stay in place if you get them seated properly. If everything pops off, just start again. Try not to stretch out the springs, they need to remain tight for the assembly to work properly.
Then gently put on the barrier cover, it’s a flat plastic ring. There are tabs on the barrier cover, they match up with little slots on the lens and it locks into place. Be gentle, don’t force anything too hard or you will break it and the parts will not hold it place.
Now it’s time to test your skills! Put in the battery (cross your fingers) and press the power button! Did it work? Did it go *SPROING!* and maybe all the parts scattered all over the place? Yeah I hope not, but I’ve been there myself so you’re not alone.
Once it’s working nicely …you’re almost done with your first digital camera repair!
Next put the dual sided tape on the barrier cover. VERY IMPORTANT: Peel the tape off the yellow backing paper but DO NOT remove the paper from the side that is cut to match the shape of the tape!! If you take off the small paper part it will ruin the tape because it will fold and stick to itself. Bye bye tape!
The tabs of the tape fold over the edges, if they stick out the lens cover will not fit properly and can jam up the lens. Line up the tape tabs, starting at the 11 o’clock position and then fold down the tabs and press them in.
Now put on your chrome or black lens cap, line up the cap with the small indentation at the bottom, you’ll see how it goes on easily.
Fire up the camera again and admire your handywork! Congratulations you now know more about Canon camera repair than the Geek Squad, and they told you it would be two hundred dollars and take 3-4 weeks to repair. Whatever Geek Squad… Whatever.
Hmm… I think I’m seeing the beginning of something big here; truely affordable Canon camera repair!