E18 is the message I get, the lens won't open up. The factory says send it to them and we'll try to fix it for a minimum $150. Anyone with an idea for a quick fix, other than buy a new one?
Larry

I just checked the manual for my A40 and all it says is that if you get an Exx message call customer support. It gives no list of the xx possibilities. At todays prices I would opt for a new camera rather than spend $150 plus shipping on an older unit.

Rob

There is a web site that rates Digi cameras and when i was researching to get one I read about the Dreaded Lens Error on Cannons Powershot. Even so I opted to buy one cuz they take excellent pics for the money. Mine is over a year old ( sad in comparison to our Gear ) and still ( Knock on wood ) working great.

I believe others have had to send their cameras back to Cannon to get the problem fixed or do as others say and just get a new one. Not much help here but good luck.

Grumpy

Thanks for the response. Cannon tells me that it will cost a minimum of $150 probably more, but they will allow to trade in on a refurb one. Mine is two years old, and I bought it because it took great pictures for the money. I guess I should have bought the extended warranty from my retailer. Anyone with a better idea?
Larry

Was not aware that Canon took trades or sold Refurbs. Learn something new every day :)

I kind of wish my camera would break. I know it's sort of sick and demented but I can't justify to my wife buying a new ( better) camera than the Canon I use now. How much will Canon give you on a trade in for a refurbished A30? You can buy a used A40 for $126 here (http://www.keh.com/shop/product.cfm?bid=DC&cid=05&sid=digital2&crid=9012150) or perhaps even a better model for still less than $200. Unless you absolutely need the newest technology in digital cameras they can be had cheap cheap cheap.

Mike

Will all of the extras that I bought - battery, memory card etc work on other Canon's - to your knowledge?
Larry

Well the CF card will work for sure. You'll have to check about the batteries. I know a lot of Canon's used the BP-511 LiIon battery pack or the BP-511A for improved battery performance. A lot of the accesories are fairly specific to each model so you'll have to check it out first. Just visit Canon USA's website, they have a wealth of information on all their camera's.


Mike

Just checked Ebay and there is this auction (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=46315&item=3848648912&rd=1) for an S30 with 128meg card and all the accessories and with 6 hrs to go is sitting at $150. I don't know if you'd like to get the same model again but it is nice to know how to use what you're buying already. Plus you've got all the software installed already and even extra accessories for the S30.


Mike

Sounds like a much better idea than sending it back to Canon.
Thanks
Larry

Well, I bought another S30 on Ebay and just sold my inoperative one. Differernce $70. The new one is mint, and works. Far better than sending back to Canon, and since I have all of the accesories for the S30 - just made sense. By the way, seems like the lens error is pretty common.
Larry