Nikon P80 Troubleshooting

[wwswimming]

I bought a Nikon P80 a few weeks ago. I haven't used it very much yet.

It has stopped working - I think.

It is giving me an error message about the lens cap, even when the lens cap is not on, and the lens is extended.

The other symptom is that there are no other symptoms, except for a motor type sound, similar to the sound it makes when the lens is being extended or retracted - except that the lens stays extended. It won't go back in.

Just for the heck of it, I am re-charging the battery, in case this error message is a sign of a low battery.

Does anybody know what the lens cap error message means - if it shows up when the lens is extended and the lens is off ?

The actual error message -
"Lens error. If the lens cap is attached, turn the camera off, remove the lens cap, and turn the camera on."

 

[Fardringle]

If the lens actually stays extended and won't retract, it sounds like you have a problem with the motor and/or gears that move the lens in and out. Since it is a new camera, I would definitely take it back and have it replaced with a camera that works properly.

 

[corkyg]

Apparently, this is not a rare problem, and it happens with other brands. This thread may have some clues.
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
If the camera is under warranty, exercise the warranty. I had a Nikon P80 a couple of years ago - gave it to my son. Never had that problem, but I did not like the occaskional long delay when snapping a picture.

 

[wwswimming]

thanks for the replies. the store is sending out a new one and are sending
an envelope for me to return the old one in.

bought it from Calumet photo.

they were trying to sell me a warranty for $60. i'm not sure if the guy was trying to be helpful, or just make the $$. i didn't have a warranty on the 990 the P80 replaced and the 990 lasted about 9 years.

 

[corkyg]

Good move. Selling the warranty for $60 would just about cover their shipping and handling expenses. I never buy warranties.

 

[wwswimming]

Good move. Selling the warranty for $60 would just about cover their shipping and handling expenses. I never buy warranties.

thanks !

now the 990 is a "gas". it will take a picture - if you finesse it. it's beginning to remind me of Wall-E.

the 990 takes one picture at a time. when i turn it off, it stays on. the snap that holds the batteries in is broken so it's held together with small diameter braided nylon rope. in order to turn it off, i have to remove the string that holds in the batteries, so all the batteries fall out. then reload the batteries to take another picture.

but - the 990 will still take pictures. until the P80 shows up ...

maybe i should put the old 990 and the broken P80 in a box together and see if they get it on.

 

[ZOXXO]

the 990 takes one picture at a time. when i turn it off, it stays on. the snap that holds the batteries in is broken so it's held together with small diameter braided nylon rope. in order to turn it off, i have to remove the string that holds in the batteries, so all the batteries fall out. then reload the batteries to take another picture.

My old 990 is in similar shape. I use a cheap over-sized quick release plate to hold the battery door closed. The battery door was a glaring failure in an otherwise superbly built camera.

 

[Dave Baker]

I just had the same problem as wwswimming. Nikon P80 lens wouldn't retract and error message said "Lens error. If the lens cap is attached, turn the camera off, remove the lens cap, and turn the camera on."

Followed CorkyG's advice and visited http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/200...al-camera.html. Tried the several steps. Gently pulling on the lens while hitting the power button got the guide pins to reset and worked for me.

P.S. Webmaster - Good website, helpful info and I wanted to return the favor, but registration required just to post a comment? Too much.