Nikon Coolpix S500 lens block issue
Solved/Closed
Florina
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Laurent -
Laurent -
Hello,
I purchased a Nikon Coolpix S500 through mail order which broke down after three days: "problem in the optical block." I had it exchanged for another device of the same model, and within just two months, this device is experiencing the same issue. It won't turn off, I have to remove the batteries, and the zoom is stuck open. The same message appears ("Pb in the optical block") and there's a noise from the motor (as if it were spinning in the void).
Are you familiar with this problem? What can be done to fix it without sending it back?
Is this a recurring issue with this model or brand?
Thank you
I purchased a Nikon Coolpix S500 through mail order which broke down after three days: "problem in the optical block." I had it exchanged for another device of the same model, and within just two months, this device is experiencing the same issue. It won't turn off, I have to remove the batteries, and the zoom is stuck open. The same message appears ("Pb in the optical block") and there's a noise from the motor (as if it were spinning in the void).
Are you familiar with this problem? What can be done to fix it without sending it back?
Is this a recurring issue with this model or brand?
Thank you
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19 réponses
I had the same issue. For 3 months my device stubbornly refused to turn off even though I have always treated it with a lot of care. It was really without any conviction that I used your "flick on the side" method and it worked lol! I really couldn't believe it... It just goes to show that some machines don't care about the delicacy and care we give them! Thanks for this technique lol!
Oh well, nothing for me, I didn't do anything to it. On my Coolpix, I was taking pictures quietly and then all of a sudden it showed me "problem in the optical block". I don't know what to do, it's the second camera I've bought in a year but I got it on leboncoin.fr so no warranty. Does anyone know the cost of repairs??? P L E A S E !!!!!!!:s:s:s
Well, let's say it's a "quick little flick" with your finger. You do that on the side of the zoomet, and it should normally snap back in place... at least it worked for me!!
I have a Coolpix S210.
When I turned on the camera, the lens assembly would extend and then retract immediately. The camera displayed the message "lens blocked" (or something like that).
This isn't the first time it's gotten stuck. Usually, I turn off and turn on my device and, after several attempts, the lens assembly frees itself.
This time, that didn’t resolve the issue.
So I followed the given advice: I gave a sharp tap with my finger on the side of the lens assembly. I tapped different sides of the lens assembly as soon as it extended. The lens assembly got unstuck.
Thank you.
When I turned on the camera, the lens assembly would extend and then retract immediately. The camera displayed the message "lens blocked" (or something like that).
This isn't the first time it's gotten stuck. Usually, I turn off and turn on my device and, after several attempts, the lens assembly frees itself.
This time, that didn’t resolve the issue.
So I followed the given advice: I gave a sharp tap with my finger on the side of the lens assembly. I tapped different sides of the lens assembly as soon as it extended. The lens assembly got unstuck.
Thank you.
I have a Kodak Cx7430 that fell off my motorcycle at 120 km/h on the highway. It has no damage. The zoom extends and retracts normally. It must be nearly seven years old.
My device just did exactly the same thing. It's hard to understand; it was working perfectly, and when I tried to turn it back on, it did exactly the same thing. Now the lens won't even close! I don't know what to do because, on top of that, it was a gift!!! Will at least the malfunction be covered by the warranty?
Hello,
I had the same problem as you. I had a Nikon Coolpix S210 for two months, and one day I turned on the camera and was told "problem in the optical block," unable to retract the lens. I sent the camera back to the address of the retail site, which forwarded it to Nikon. After a month and a half, I received a letter informing me that this issue was not covered by the warranty and that the repair would cost 130 euros (I bought the camera for 110 euros), so I gave up.
I'm currently looking for a camera around 150 euros. Before this Nikon, I had another one (which worked very well for 3 years until I lost it...).
Canon has the same issue; I believe their cameras' lenses are not very sturdy. Do you know of a good camera?
I had the same problem as you. I had a Nikon Coolpix S210 for two months, and one day I turned on the camera and was told "problem in the optical block," unable to retract the lens. I sent the camera back to the address of the retail site, which forwarded it to Nikon. After a month and a half, I received a letter informing me that this issue was not covered by the warranty and that the repair would cost 130 euros (I bought the camera for 110 euros), so I gave up.
I'm currently looking for a camera around 150 euros. Before this Nikon, I had another one (which worked very well for 3 years until I lost it...).
Canon has the same issue; I believe their cameras' lenses are not very sturdy. Do you know of a good camera?
After adding my comment, I became aware of the "pichnette," and as a result, the optics are completely disassembled inside. In any case, I think it was already broken.
Oh yes, mine too!!!
Bought it 2 years ago and 10,000 photos-videos later, it got stuck in the open position...
Nothing works. The worst part is that I can see the image through (blurry) on the control screen, when it's not displaying the "optical block problem".
I've tried the "little flick" and even more, but nothing works.
The blockage seems to be in the middle part of the device.
Does anyone have an idea of the repair cost (like a quote that’s already been requested)?
Otherwise, has anyone tried to dismantle the device (it seems there are only 3 screws in total to move the cover)?
Or maybe a link to an exploded view image of the device (a doc from Nikon, who knows)?
Thanks for your responses.
Bought it 2 years ago and 10,000 photos-videos later, it got stuck in the open position...
Nothing works. The worst part is that I can see the image through (blurry) on the control screen, when it's not displaying the "optical block problem".
I've tried the "little flick" and even more, but nothing works.
The blockage seems to be in the middle part of the device.
Does anyone have an idea of the repair cost (like a quote that’s already been requested)?
Otherwise, has anyone tried to dismantle the device (it seems there are only 3 screws in total to move the cover)?
Or maybe a link to an exploded view image of the device (a doc from Nikon, who knows)?
Thanks for your responses.
Hello,
As for me, the super NIKON S500 broke down 3 months after purchase and the optical block issue started to appear. By tapping the zoom a bit, it would eventually get back in place, but one day it got completely stuck.
At the customer service at Conforama, they refused to honor the warranty because there were signs of impact. As a result, the repair cost me €126 and I had to wait 3 months to get the device back!
By the time I picked up the camera, the price of a new camera in that range had dropped below €160... I would have been better off buying another one (from a different brand, by the way).
Today my camera is having the optical block problem again. I've been trying to disassemble it myself for a few days. I think it's a mission impossible; after removing the covers, the screen, and a metal plate, we can finally reach the optical sensor, but the optical block takes up more than half of the device along with its miniature ribbon cables!!!
As for me, the super NIKON S500 broke down 3 months after purchase and the optical block issue started to appear. By tapping the zoom a bit, it would eventually get back in place, but one day it got completely stuck.
At the customer service at Conforama, they refused to honor the warranty because there were signs of impact. As a result, the repair cost me €126 and I had to wait 3 months to get the device back!
By the time I picked up the camera, the price of a new camera in that range had dropped below €160... I would have been better off buying another one (from a different brand, by the way).
Today my camera is having the optical block problem again. I've been trying to disassemble it myself for a few days. I think it's a mission impossible; after removing the covers, the screen, and a metal plate, we can finally reach the optical sensor, but the optical block takes up more than half of the device along with its miniature ribbon cables!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! The flick technique wasn't working at first, but I tried it several times in a row and it worked again! :)
THANKS AGAIN!
THANKS AGAIN!
Great little flick!!!! We were skeptical, we wanted to open the device and in the end........magical!!!! We did push a bit though....
Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will avoid buying a Nikon in the future!!!!!!!!!!!! I had the same problem!!!! Long live Canon!!!!!!
Hello,
I also had this problem, I bought a Coolpix S225 in June. The first photo already had a lot of white spots, at least for the indoor pictures, there was no issue outside...
Once I transfer them to the PC, they look better, but still not great, a few stubborn white spots...
I tried all the shooting modes, nothing works...
Does anyone have a solution?
As for the optical unit, after 3 days of use, I had to take it back because I couldn't take a picture, and there was also this "motor" noise running in vain...
After 2 months, it was repaired for free, but I still have these white spots and it’s really frustrating!
As a piece of advice, I gifted two Panasonic Lumix cameras, paid 140 euros each and they work great, out of stock at the store which is why I bought a Nikon, if I had known :(
Thanks to everyone for your responses regarding these damn white spots!
I also had this problem, I bought a Coolpix S225 in June. The first photo already had a lot of white spots, at least for the indoor pictures, there was no issue outside...
Once I transfer them to the PC, they look better, but still not great, a few stubborn white spots...
I tried all the shooting modes, nothing works...
Does anyone have a solution?
As for the optical unit, after 3 days of use, I had to take it back because I couldn't take a picture, and there was also this "motor" noise running in vain...
After 2 months, it was repaired for free, but I still have these white spots and it’s really frustrating!
As a piece of advice, I gifted two Panasonic Lumix cameras, paid 140 euros each and they work great, out of stock at the store which is why I bought a Nikon, if I had known :(
Thanks to everyone for your responses regarding these damn white spots!
Hello,
Same problem with the optical block stuck barely after 1 month on a S520, it went back under warranty and returned; while using it, the zoom made an abnormal noise, and after another month of use, the problem occurred again. Even better, the store where this device was purchased claimed that we had dropped it!!!!
Thank you for this blog, I will print all your remarks to pass them on to Nikon's customer service; this is my first and definitely my last one considering the quality. The customer service from CORA was already not that great as it is,
Same problem with the optical block stuck barely after 1 month on a S520, it went back under warranty and returned; while using it, the zoom made an abnormal noise, and after another month of use, the problem occurred again. Even better, the store where this device was purchased claimed that we had dropped it!!!!
Thank you for this blog, I will print all your remarks to pass them on to Nikon's customer service; this is my first and definitely my last one considering the quality. The customer service from CORA was already not that great as it is,
Same problem with my daughter's S210, FNAC told us that she had dropped it... so the warranty didn't apply... I saw the moment the problem happened, we were together and it didn't fall of course!! We're offering her another one and then after the second use the same issue, I think I'm going to return it to the store - Carrefour this time and buy another one, but definitely not a Nikon!
Same problem with my daughter's Coolpix L15 bought 2 years ago.
Camera impossible to disassemble after removing the screws.
I confirm that the "pichennette" method (vigorous) actually works. Unfortunately, I fear that this method only works temporarily.
In Nikon's defense, I think my daughter has "slightly" mistreated her camera (visible impact on the front of the lens)...
Camera impossible to disassemble after removing the screws.
I confirm that the "pichennette" method (vigorous) actually works. Unfortunately, I fear that this method only works temporarily.
In Nikon's defense, I think my daughter has "slightly" mistreated her camera (visible impact on the front of the lens)...
Hello,
I also had the issue with the optical block being stuck after taking it for repair; I was told it couldn't be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
So I disassembled my Nikon and I unlocked it by freeing the rolling mechanism of the block, and now it closes again. However, today I have another problem: my camera works well, I can see my photos, go into the menu, but I can't take pictures anymore. When I switch to photo mode, I can see the image, but nothing happens when I press the button. Does anyone have a solution, please?
Thank you in advance for your responses because honestly, it's starting to annoy me.
I also had the issue with the optical block being stuck after taking it for repair; I was told it couldn't be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
So I disassembled my Nikon and I unlocked it by freeing the rolling mechanism of the block, and now it closes again. However, today I have another problem: my camera works well, I can see my photos, go into the menu, but I can't take pictures anymore. When I switch to photo mode, I can see the image, but nothing happens when I press the button. Does anyone have a solution, please?
Thank you in advance for your responses because honestly, it's starting to annoy me.
Thank you for the advice about the pichnette, I tried for a long time before giving it a good whack right on the lens block, and it's working again!!!
As for the Lumix, it's true that it's good; I got the TZ10 to replace my TZ5: that one fell in the grass during a picnic in the mountains from less than 50 cm high, and I was advised against getting an estimate given the minimum cost of 150 euros for the repair, pretty fragile for the price you pay!
As for the Lumix, it's true that it's good; I got the TZ10 to replace my TZ5: that one fell in the grass during a picnic in the mountains from less than 50 cm high, and I was advised against getting an estimate given the minimum cost of 150 euros for the repair, pretty fragile for the price you pay!
So, following the previous post, I would say that I am surprised to learn that the optical block is not covered by the warranty! I am out of warranty anyway. And of course, the repair costs half the price of a new one...
As for me, I am on my vacation in France and I have been looking to replace my Coolpix with an equivalent.
I did some research (comparative reviews, internet) and I was surprised by the lack of equivalents. I paid €250 for the Coolpix 2 years ago for a 7MP, especially very compact (fitting in a front pocket of jeans), very fast and working well at night...
Well, there's not even an equivalent! At a maximum of €250, I wasn’t looking for a high pixel count but rather a wide angle and the same compactness. Eventually, I opted for a Pentax OPTIO P70. It is still 1 cm longer. I am waiting for it to arrive because I ordered it from Pixmania with a 3-year warranty extension (in addition to the original 2 years) for €29 considering potential issues. Totaling €215 at the local Kiala relay.
I may not have made the right choice, but I will keep you updated.
In the meantime, I think I will take the risk of dismantling the Coolpix myself when I return. One never knows, and I don’t think I’m taking much risk, in principle.
Thank you for your opinions.
As for me, I am on my vacation in France and I have been looking to replace my Coolpix with an equivalent.
I did some research (comparative reviews, internet) and I was surprised by the lack of equivalents. I paid €250 for the Coolpix 2 years ago for a 7MP, especially very compact (fitting in a front pocket of jeans), very fast and working well at night...
Well, there's not even an equivalent! At a maximum of €250, I wasn’t looking for a high pixel count but rather a wide angle and the same compactness. Eventually, I opted for a Pentax OPTIO P70. It is still 1 cm longer. I am waiting for it to arrive because I ordered it from Pixmania with a 3-year warranty extension (in addition to the original 2 years) for €29 considering potential issues. Totaling €215 at the local Kiala relay.
I may not have made the right choice, but I will keep you updated.
In the meantime, I think I will take the risk of dismantling the Coolpix myself when I return. One never knows, and I don’t think I’m taking much risk, in principle.
Thank you for your opinions.
If it can work for me too, that would be great!
Thank you.