I'll start this blog off with disassembly/repair of the Nikon Coolpix L10 camera. Before downloading or attempting to follow these procedures, please consider that these procedures require some electrical background and knowledge, and should not be conducted by anyone unfamiliar with basic electrical components and safety precautions. Please also read the following post concerning the risk of SEVERE flash capacitor electrical shock, and how to mitigate it when working on the exposed internal components of your camera:
The following links to a small pdf file that outlines the steps to dissect the Nikon L10. They were developed by personal disassembly of the camera, and are not recognized or authorized by Nikon. Follow these procedures at your own risk. These procedures should only be considered as a last resort on a broken camera with an expired warranty. I take no responsibility should you damage your camera in following these steps. Also want to restate that there is some danger of severe electrical shock from the camera's flash capacitor. I also take no responsibility if you zap yourself while following these procedures. Here's the link:
Here's two websites outlining dissassembly of the SXXX series Canon digital elphs:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ixus-world.de/index.htm?tips/repair_guide/e18_01en.htm
http://www.sbszoo.com/ve6sbs/projects/canon/default.htm
This website details simple disassembly of the Canon A430 camera. The fix shows how to clean the camera's worm gear to correct one possible cause of the E18 lens error.
ReplyDeletehttp://homepage.mac.com/jpelling/page0/page0.html
I liked the pages I viewed last week, but when I was ready to dive into the camera, the links to the "downloadable" files were up, and neither link seems to function. They reach a certain point and just stop, or IE drops dead... Is there any way for you to check these download site to make sure that they are working? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI apologize fingle. I put up two more links, but they also seem to be a pain to get to operate properly. Please if anyone knows of a good RELIABLE free fileshare site, please let me know.
ReplyDeleteCamera Repair
There, I think I've found two semi-reliable upload/download sites (sendspace and bigupload). Please try the current links and see if they work.
ReplyDeleteCamera Repair
I followed all the steps, unfortunately lens failure was not the problem...I´m back to square one. I give you kudos, however, for showing me how to take this delicate instrument apart and put it back together again. BTW, I didn´t have a voltmeter to discharge the capacitor; I simply avoided touching it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new links! I finally have come back to this project... I thought it would be a simple thing to purchase a replacement viewscreen for this camera. Boy, was I a dolt! Plenty of "viewscreen protectors" for sale, but that's closing the barn doors after it has burned down, so to speak...
ReplyDeleteI visited here last year and began to take my Nikon Coolpix 4800 apart to fix a lens error (I jammed it--a long story). I gave up part-way through, however, because I couldn't find the exact instructions for this model here or anywhere. I ended up just getting a Kodak Z712-IS, which has been a great camera. But now I want to get back to the Coolpix and see if I can do it, still without any specs or instructions. Wish me luck, and I'll take pix and stuff as I go--if it works, I'll let you know!
ReplyDeleteok where do i buy a screen for this
ReplyDeletei got a free camera and everything works and i took it apart its just a broken lcd..
and where do yo buy a lcd screen for the L10...
predator,
ReplyDeleteRecommend doing a weekly search of ebay, looking specifically for a broken L10 with a working LCD. It shouldn't be too hard to find a candidate camera. You will probably find many with lens error failures (L series are notorious for that). However, they'll still be good for your use.
Heeya.
ReplyDeleteI changed the batteries in my camera and turned the camera on and the lense came out but the screen just went blank and I really don't know what to do and I told want to tell my dad becuase he'll go mad at me.
My email adress is Alice.malatesta@gmail.co.uk
COuld some one please tell try and help me please
Alice,
ReplyDeleteWhat you describe sounds like a simple battery problem. Some cheaper brands of alkaline batteries have problems just powering startup of a digital camera. Recommend first trying another set of batteries, preferably a good brand. The best batteries to use are rechargeable NiMH batteries rated at 2500 mah or better (its on the package).
CR
Hi everybody! I've a trouble whit my coolpix l10 and absolutely I don't know what can I do :'(
ReplyDeleteAfter use, I've turned off the nikon but batteries was empty. So, do know why, lens do not enter right so my l10 focus is now like this = http://www.nikonclub.it/forum/uploads/1203971045/gallery_4943_902_22021.jpg
Would you pleaaase, pleaase help me! :D
Loska,
ReplyDeleteThat's a "lens errror" problem. See the following post to repair it:
Fixing a Lens Error
I will try it tomorrow, then I will say you if it works! Thanks :*rl
ReplyDeleteI have a L10 as well but I stripped the threading of the tripod connection. Called the Tripod socket by Nikon USA. They dont have extra parts, so if anyone has a broken camera that they are willing to send me just that small piece through the mail, I would greatly appreciate it. I can even send $1 through paypal but that might not really be worth it. If interested please reply back to qassim/at/unm.edu Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHello sir,
ReplyDeleteI have a NIKON COOLPIX S5. copmpeletely dead.tried everything that you have said and also took it to nikon repair centre.they said its PCP has to be replaced and that will cost me the same as buying a new camera itself...please suggest something if you have in mind.
Thankyou !
Vidhi.
I followed your repair instructions and was able to remove my lens, but I think I have a problem with step 7c. The connections along the top of the circuit board appear to have broken instead of bending.
ReplyDeleteThe proper way of gaining access to the vicinity of the lens would be to desolder all the connections, then remove the circuit board to gain access, then resolder all the connections. The guide shows a time saving step of carefully bending the solder connections only enough to gain access. Unfortunately there still is a possibility of breaking some or all of the solder connections. If this occurs, soldering is then necessary to reestablish the connections. Fortunately this can be done with a cheap soldering iron (mine is from our local dollar store). Quickly touch each connection just enough so that the existing solder might melt in place to reestablish the connection.
ReplyDeleteCR
Good work buddy.!
ReplyDeletevideos at the bottom don't work. error is: undefined
ReplyDeleteDo you have any information about dissasembly of the Nikon S5. I have a lens error that is due to a dent under the lens. I found your post to the Nikon L10. It looks similar. Or would I be better off to remove the LCD and sell it on eBay? They seem to be getting higher prices than the whole camera.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Ben
I went ahead and tried to open my Nikon S5 to fix the lens error, and when I put it all back together...it WORKED. I am so excited I can't sleep. May have a few pics to e-mail.
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me how to fix a camera that won't stay on? It's a Coolpix L11 and when I first got it, it worked fine with whatever batteries I had. Now it won't stay on. The lens comes out then goes back in and turns off immediately. I have even tried the expensive rechargeable batteries. When I put new batteries in, the camera will stay on long enough to take about 3 pics, then it does the same thing all over again.
ReplyDeletehi... I had the same problem with my Nikon Coolpix 880... My brother accidentally put a laptop power supply to the camera and then on, the camera wont take pictures in a flash mode... He tries to disassemble it but to no avail, the camers got worse... there's a flex cable that cannot be attached again after a small plastic lock broke as he tries to assemble it back again... Was the wrong power input the reason why the camera broke? What repair procedure should i do...
ReplyDeleteI would appreciate any advices from you guys. Thank you very much in advance...
xyrus_killersmile@yahoo.com
George,
ReplyDeleteI'm surprized your camera can still power on as that cable likely would have blown an internal fuze (very hard to replace). I really can't troubleshoot this with you. But as for the LCD ribbon cable, When a connector tab breaks, the cable can be jury-rig attached using a very thin tab of plastic (sheet protector plastic) to "wedge" the ribbon cable back into its connector.
CR
hey
ReplyDeletei was playing about with my coolpix nikon L10 and pressed a button that disabled the flash but i went into the flash settings and tried everything but the flash still isnt working :(. i dont know if it is broken or its because i pressed a certain button please help.
11/29/09
ReplyDeleteTHANKYOU SOOOOOOOOO MUch!!!!!
My shutter was stuck and the TV setting and power interuption saved my ebay DAY!!!!!! cintekes@aol.com
First, one of your fixes nailed the problem with one of my cameras, and I am so grateful for you sharing your knowledge.
ReplyDeleteI do have another camera that has issues. I have a Canon A1000 that will not power up. But, if I press the "play" button it will power up in "play" mode. I can go through all the menus and look at images on the card, but I can never get to the picture taking mode. If I press play it will just power off. I can press play again and it will be in play mode again.
Sounds like this may be a low power issue. Your camera will automatically shutdown if insufficient power is available to extend the lens. This is to minimize potential lens error issues. How old is your battery, as it's only meant to last a couple years max? Fortunately, generic NB-4L batteries are very inexpensive these days. Here's some from Amazon. Recommend reading user reviews before purchasing, as some generics can be awful, but some can also be good.
ReplyDeleteCR
Hi. My daughters broke my L10 LCD a time back. Got a new one really cheap from Ebay and installed it using the instructions to disassemble the camera. Yesterday the lens was stuck sideways. Disassembled it again. Got the lens right when I powered the camera the lens retracted but the camera went off and never on again. Disassembled the camera another time since the ribbon we must disconnect on step7b left me in doubt whether it was correctly inserted. Re-inserted it but then I touched with the metal plate holding the LCD on one of the poles shown on picture 6a with voltage symbol in the middle heard a noise and saw a flash. Put it all together once again the camera went on for a few moments but then off again. Happened a few times then I got a message saying batteries were low, that time the camera went down with the lens out. Tried new batteries rechargeable and alkalines but now it doesn't even goes on.
ReplyDeleteDid I ruin it definetly or is there anything I can do.
Either way this site is very helpfull, thank you!!!
My Coolpix 5700 shows a photo image frozen in the viewfinder when I turn the camera on, won't do anything else. Does show a battery icon on the top lcd, that's about it. The viewfinder WILL show another frozen photo in the viewfinder if I install a different media card. The camera hasn't responded otherwise. Can anyone offer help? It'd be a shame to have to have to throw it out or put the camera up on eBay as broken.
ReplyDeleteCould you please put the how to guide in another format because I can't open it on my computer?
ReplyDeletehave a nikon coolpix L16. tried all of the fixes and none worked. i thought, "what the heck, it's broken anyway." I left the AV cable in and turned the lens until i heard a click, tried turning the camera on, did not work. did the same thing, heard a click, still did not work. tried it again, this time i kept turning the lense until it fully extended and then turned it until it retracted completely. Turned it on and,it works perfectly. risky, but, it was broken anyway! thanks, would have never tried most of these things.
ReplyDeleteI am ecstatic!! I had a stuck shutter and stumbled across this blog and it worked on my Canon S2 Is!!! I only had to use the option and steps indicated to take a pict using a slow shutter speed & open the battery compartment to interupt the camera. I only had to repeat the steps about 8 times and my shutter is working like a dream!! TX so much for your incredibly helpful blog & DIY repair info!!! :)
ReplyDeleteNikon L10 flash doesn't work what do I have to replace or remedy this everything else works
ReplyDeleteProblem with my sons Nikon Coolpix L10.
ReplyDeleteIt takes pictures OK but the display is scrambled. It is showing a mirror image (pans left when camera moved right for example) and is split into many vertical lines.
Dismantled camera using the info from this site to ensure that the LCD connector is seated OK.
Does this sound like a problem with the LCD unit (which I can replace with a new one) or is it likely to be a problem with the motherboard?
Many thanks,
Keith
Problem with my sons Nikon Coolpix L10.
ReplyDeleteIt takes pictures OK but the display is scrambled. It is showing a mirror image (pans left when camera moved right for example) and is split into many vertical lines.
Dismantled camera using the info from this site to ensure that the LCD connector is seated OK.
Does this sound like a problem with the LCD unit (which I can replace with a new one) or is it likely to be a problem with the motherboard?
Many thanks,
Keith
I have a Kodak z712. The lens would not come out -- sounded like a motor running. I started taking it apart, got the screws out, the back came off, but I don't know where to go from there. I don't know how to get the front off, or what to get to the lens.
ReplyDeleteThank you for help and suggestions!
Wow!! This blog is of so much use. I am so in love with it that I sent this link to all my friends. Thanks a ton for the great tips!!
ReplyDeleteWow!! thanks a lot for the great tips!! i am so in love with this blog that I sent the link to all my friends. keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteOrdered a new lcd screen on ebay for a Nikon L11 camera. Took the camera apart and unfortunately didn't find this site before getting shocked pretty good, twice. Anyway I had to remove the metal screen holder (4 screws) to get to the ribbon connector. Unplugged it and installed the new screen. (holding top part of camera with a cotton cloth). Went together o.k. but as soon as I put batteries in, the screen lit up. It works fine as far as taking pictures, but when the camera is turned off, the screen stays lit. I took it all apart and re-installed thinking the connection was bad but it still happens. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Great Site!
ReplyDeletehi i want to know if you can repair an l16 nikon coolpix?
ReplyDeleteSo I have this nice new Nikon Coolpix L24, but I've recently discovered the screen to be cracked. I'm fairly confident that I could replace the screen, but I can't find any references to replacement screens anywhere online. Is there somewhere I can find a replacement screen for the L24, or is there some problem with this particular model?
ReplyDeleteMy CoolPix L16 developed the classic 'white screen', perhaps as a result of my using it the rain!
ReplyDeleteI can get a replacement on eBay and the instructions on YouTube look simple enough for a 'a bear of very little brain' like me!
My concern is that, although the camera powers-up, (I was able to download all the pics and movies on the card after the screen failed), the lens does not extend. Is this normal when the screen fails or is this a separate problem?
I don't want to fit a new screen just to find there is another problem which I can't fix.
Can anybody help me?
Gerald,
ReplyDeleteThe screen extension is a separate problem, and you're likely to see additional problems pop up with time. Water damage is probably the worse thing that could be done to your camera. Corrosion damage will likely occur at multiple points within the camera. And when you fix one problem, another will pop up with time as corrosion spreads. Sorry to say, do not recommend repairing the camera. Instead recommend considering a new camera.
CR