You Can Repair Your Canon SD Series Lens Barrier Covers Yourself!
Many people have asked about repairing their front covers/flaps on their Canon PowerShot SD series cameras, so I’ve written up some instructions. The barrier kit on most Canon PowerShot SD series cameras is a little tricky but not impossible to replace yourself. You will need patience, a good eye and a steady hand as well as a small screwdriver. We use dental picks, they work great!
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.
The first part that goes in is the barrel drive ring; it has a small part sticking down into the lens. Most cameras have a drive ring, but some do not. If you don’t see one in your kit then your camera does not need one. Be certain that it will rotate slightly after installation, otherwise it is probably not installed properly and can cause the lens to get jammed.
Next are the springs and flaps. There is a small little tab that holds the spring in place when you put it on the ‘flap’ or ‘barrier plate’ as they are actually called. They are TINY, they are hard to hold and if you drop it… please take my advice and don’t drop it, ok? We do have just the springs available for purchase, but please try not to lose them.
Gently put the flap in the hole with the spring laying towards the post that the free end will mount on; then with something with a very small 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. The tabs on the outer barrier cover match up with small slots in the lens housing and it will lock into place. Be gentle, don’t force anything too hard or you will break it and the parts will not hold it place.
Now you may test your repair prowess! Now we put the battery in and while crossing our fingers, turn the camera on! Is it working? Did it go flying across the room with a cute little *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 you have it working smoothly …you’re almost done with your first camera repair!
Next put the dual sided tape on the barrier cover. CAUTION: Make sure to take the tape off of the backing paper but DON’T remove the paper that matches the shape of the tape on the other side!! Removing the small paper part will cause the tape to fold up on itself and stick together. 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. The tape lines up with one tab at about the 11 o’clock position, then fold the tabs over and press them in so they don’t stick out.
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! Good for you! You can now fix your camera all by yourself for only and the local “Geek Squad” said that it was either unfixable or would be 0 and take several weeks to complete.
Hmm… I think I’m seeing the beginning of something big here; affordable Canon digital camera repair
Tags: , canon camera repair, Canon cameras, digital camera repair, digital photography, photography, Powershot cameras
