What happens when an extending lens is blocked?

Hello,

I recently purchased a small digital camera (my first one, an HP r607), and
I am wondering if it is common in digital cameras to have a clutch in the
lens mechanism. In other words, if there was an obstruction which prevented
the lens from fully extending upon powerup, would there likely be damage to
the gears, or is this sort of thing thought out and compensated for with a
clutch or other type mechanism?

Thanks,

Jon

 

The cameras that I am familiar with do indeed have some protection (if not a
clutch, perhaps an over-current sensor in the motor circuit).

 

On the Nikon 5400 (the only camera I've had this happen with, because I
bought it with a non-standard lens cap which prevented the lens from
extending), the display says "LENS ERROR" when the camera is powered up in
this way. Happened a couple of times before I was able to get an original
type lens cap. No harm or damage, evidently. The display message indicates
the camera knows what's wrong and has accommodated it.

Neil

 

I've never seen a camera harmed by this problem, and I've seen it happen to
quite a few, but I guess there's always a first time. My experience has
been that if it happens not to worry, but don't keep doing it.

 

My Canon PS10 once was powered on while in a tight fitting case.
With some effort I got a finger inside the case, powered it off and
removed the camera. No damage done, but I stopped using that case.
My Fuji S5100 has a long extending lens that seems quite delicate,
yet the few times I powered the camera on before removing the lens
cap, it stopped extending without popping off the lens cap,
displayed a warning message, and there was no harm done. I imagine
that some cameras wouldn't take this slight abuse as well. But my
guess is that the real damage done to extended lenses happens when
they're not zooming or focusing, but while extended they happen to
accidentally hit a solid object.

 

Nifty solution and the lens cap even fits on the tube. But then
the camera no longer fits in the small Kodak camera bag it's usually
stored in. Correction. With a slight rearrangement of the divider,
everything still fits. Thanks for the tip.

 

Thank you to everyone who responded. I emboldened myself to find out, and
on my camera, the motor slows to a stop, the lens retracts, and the camera
turns itself off. There isn't even very much pressure pushing the lens out,
so the gears are likely to remain okay. I won't make a habit of it, though,
but it certainly does seem to have the provision for this to happen without
the camera breaking (nice to know things are idiot proofed to a certain
extent).

I wanted to know because I am going to make a tight case out of some
deerhide to keep the camera happier while it bounces around in my pocket,
and I was afraid of what would happen if the camera turned on while still in
the case.

Thanks again,

Jon

 

I once had a radio that could be easily turned on, so a small
rubber ring was glued around the too-easily-pressed power button,
making accidental contact less likely. If you do something similar
by gluing or sewing a small foam or leather block or two to the
inside of the case, it might also make it more difficult to put
pressure on the case and accidentally turn the camera on.

 

On the Panasonic FZ5 you get a message on the EVF/LCD screen asking you to
remove the lens cap (which is what prevents normal extension).

On the Nikon 5700 you might need to send the camera back for repair. It
is essential to store the camera with the mode switch on Playback.

The Nikon 8400 may suffer from the same problem, but is a lot more
difficult to switch on by accident. I try to leave mine stored in the
Playback mode.

David

 

"David J Taylor"

That's to prevent accidental lens extension when in some case or enclosure
(i.e., not the lens cap) that would block it, right? I've never had a 5700,
but on the 8700 the lens cap clips on to the lens itself, not the body
barrel, and does not interfere with extension. I assume the 5700 is the
same?

I bought a 5400 (refurb/display/salesman's sample/whatever) which is like
new but didn't come with the original lens cap, had a 46mm cap instead which
clipped into the body ring and prevented the lens from extending. Before I
was able to get a proper replacement cap, a couple of times I
absent-mindedly turned the camera on without removing the cap. The monitor
indicated "LENS ERROR" and the camera just shut down, as I recall. I would
think that all subsequent Nikon models would have some similar accommodation
built in.

So that is just storage in the case that you're concerned about, not the
lens cap, eh? Since the 8400 also has a cap that clips onto the lens itself
and does not prevent extension.

Neil

 

I can imagine the problem:
"Is that a camera in your pocket, or ..."

 

Neil Harrington wrote:
[]

Probably, yes. Like many others, I had a closely fitting case for my
Nikon 5700, so needed to be careful. I sold my 5700 after I bought the
Panasonic FZ5 with its image stabilised 36-432mm f/3.3 lens.

David

 

"David J Taylor"

Very nice. I bought a Lumix FZ15 quite a while ago, 35-420mm and f/2.8 from
end to end, which really impresses me. First Panasonic camera I've ever
owned. First camera I've ever owned with a Leica lens, too. (I suppose I
should put "Leica" in quotes since I'm sure it didn't come out of Wetzlar,
but that doesn't matter to me.) Also that was my first image-stabilized
lens, and it sure made a believer of me, being able to get sharp photos
hand-held at 420mm (equiv.), especially at my doddering age. I'm most
impressed with Panasonic's build quality too.

Neil

 

Jon-

I have a tight case for my Pentax Optio S. It has been accidentally
activated a couple of times. It sounded bad, but seems to still work.

The problem is that the power button is easily-pressed and gets touched by
accident when trying to remove it from the case. I solve the problem by
inserting the camera into the case with the power button on the bottom.

Fred