11/04/08 Canon Powershot Lens Barrier Repair UPDATED: PICS ADDED!
Many people have asked about repairing their front covers/flaps on their Canon PowerShot SD series cameras, so I’ve written up some instructions. I have added photos!! Each link is a helpful photo of an actual repair I did on a customer camera. Please let others know if you found this article helpful.
The barrier kit on most Canon PowerShot SD series cameras is a little tricky but not impossible to replace yourself. All you need is some patience, a steady hand and a small tipped screwdriver. We use dental picks, they work great!
Here are the parts in the kit. The pink bubble wrap is my anti-static workspace!
To start, you will need to turn on the camera and extend the lens, then open the battery door to turn off the camera and keep the lens out. This allows you to easily work on the lens barrier assembly. The yellow arrow points to where the next part is to be inserted.
The first part that goes in is the barrel drive ring; it has a small part sticking down into the lens. The image linked here shows the drive ring installed and the arrows point to where the spring connects (top arrow) and the barrier plate or flat is inserted (bottom arrow). Some cameras don’t have one, so if there isn’t one in your kit then your camera doesn’t need it. Make sure it rotates slightly once it has been inserted, otherwise its not in properly and will jam the lens.
Next are the springs and flaps. Put one spring on each of the flaps, there are little tabs to hold them on. They are TINY, they are hard to hold and if you drop it… lets just say DON’T drop it on the carpet, 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. There are tabs on the barrier cover, they match up with little slots on the lens and it locks into place. Be gentle, don’t force anything too hard or you will break it and the parts will not hold it place.
Not it?s time to test your skills! Put in the battery (cross your fingers) and press the power button! Did it work? Did it go *SPROING!* and all the parts flew across the room? Yeah I hope not, but I?ve been there myself so you?re not alone.
Once you have it working smoothly:
Next put the dual sided tape on the barrier cover. VERY IMPORTANT: Peel the tape off the yellow backing paper but DO NOT remove the paper from the side that is cut to match the shape of the tape!! Removing the small paper part will cause the tape to fold up on itself and stick together. Bye bye tape!
The tabs fold over the edge, don’t let them stick out or the lens cover won’t fit and the lens will jam. The arrow in the image above shows the tape tabs folded down in the correct spot. 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! Congratulations you repaired your camera yourself for $20 and the good old Geek Squad told you it would be $200 and take 3-4 weeks to repair.
Hmm… I think I’m seeing the beginning of something big here! =)
Thomas Drayton.,
Owner; Darntoothysam.com
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Hi, I find your article very helpful, but I lost the two tiny springs, can you help where i can get them from. and how much would they typically cost.
Also iam not comfortable using small parts, Do know which kind of repair shops would i would need to take them to
We do offer the spring for most camera flap kits. If you wanted them, please email us at sales@darntoothysam.com with the model and we’ll get them taken care of.
And we do offer repairs, so if you wanted to have us repair your camera, we can do that for you as well!
Thanks!
whats the price for just getting pair of springs. I have all the remaining parts to re-assemble the shutter. Im in CA and i would like to know if we can get the same in any nearby store. I would appreciate if you could provide me this information
As far as I know, you can’t get the springs from any retail shop. We can get the springs and send them to you if you wanted.
Just let us know,
Thanks!
Just finished the repair. Looks great, works great. Another tip for those of you getting the springs on. Try a good pair of tweezers. I was about to give up till wife suggested that.
Dear Sirs,
I want to tell you that your repair instructions are excellent! I have all the camera lens barrier cover parts, so I was able to put everything in its place. But unfortunately, wasn’t able to put the barrier cover because half of the black plastic rim broke when my camera fell and therefore two of the tabs in the barrier cover have nowhere to be held. I live in Honduras and my brother bought the camera in Miami. This camera is sold here, but the shops don’t repair it or have no spare parts. I guess I’ll have to send it with someone to the States to be repaired. Do you have another suggestion?
Patricia
Do you have a camera flap kit for a Canon SD780 IS in black?
Thanks
The sd790 is different than this x_x
I can’t find any sd790 lens barrier repair :\
help please?
Thank you.
Sorry I didn’t reply sooner, we do have the parts for the SD790 available. Here is a link to the SD790 category:
http://www.darntoothysam.com/categories/Canon-Digital-Camera-Parts-and-Repair-Service/SD-Series/SD790-IS/
Or just type ‘sd790′ in the search box and you will see the parts listings.
Hope this helps!
Thomas
Right on! I just got my repair kit today for the SD1000 my wife accidentally dropped on our last hiking trip to Point Reyes, CA. And although the parts were intimidatingly small, your instructions and tips were excellent and I was able to revive the camera despite some minor damage to the interior components.
When I initially inspected the damage after it was dropped, I very nearly wrote the camera off as a loss. Thanks to you, the camera lives to see another backpacking trip. I just wanted to leave a note thanking you for doing what you do. Your price was incredibly reasonable and you are generous person for providing the help that you have for free. Needless to say, I am happy and thankful.
Thank you DarnToothySam!
Hey Jude, don’t be sa… yeah sorry, had to say it.
I’m glad we were able to help with your repair and save you several hundred dollars at the same time. =) I actually started this business because I love getting responses like yours!
If you know of anyone else in need of do-it-yourself parts or repair services please let us know, hopefully we can help them as well.
Happy backpacking,
ThomasDrayton,
DarnToothysam
Hey, I have a similar problem with my Powershot SD780 and am convinced that I can mend my camera with your instructions. But I am based in the UK and am wondering if you supply parts to the UK. Alternatively, kindly suggest a supplier I should be able to find the parts from.
Thanks
Hi
We ship to the UK no problem, you will see the price for postage in the shopping cart after you enter your mailing address. The SD780 has only two parts, it’s extremely easy to repair!
Thomas
Hello… My SD750 was dropped, luckily the end result was a missing lens cover which seems to be a very probable diy task… However, I previously owned a Canon A400 wich died all of the sudden… My question is, is it possible to fit the a400 lens cover into the SD750?
Hi Ray
No sorry, only the parts for the SD750 will fit the SD750.
Thomas
Thank you so much! I was able to do this repair myself without having to take it in to a shop. I feel so capable! Appreciate these instructions and pictures. Thought I’d let you know.
Hi Steph
Thank you for letting us know, and I’m glad that you found us. I hate to hear about people throwing away their camera because of a small problem like this, or paying the manufacturer $150 to fix it for them!
If you could be so kind, please let others know if they need any help with camera repair.
Thanks,
Thomas Drayton,
Owner.
Hi, While trying to fix the lens error in SD780, the lens retainer/ring came-off. It should be straight-forward to fix it with the dual sided tape mentioned in your post. Is it possible to get the dual sided tape alone? Or is it okay to use any other adhesive/glue? Kindly advise!
Thanks…
Hi Ramesh
The SD780 kit comes in two parts; the front cap that says “Canon Zoom Lens” on it, and all the rest of the parts all together in one kit including the tape. I can see if the tape for the SD750 is close enough to the SD780 so that you can use it instead.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AGAINST glue, especially Crazy Glue! The fumes from the glue will most likely destroy the lens and make it cloudy. You don’t even have to get glue on the lens, it’s the fumes that will be enough to do it.
If you need just the tape I can send you one from the SD750 for $2 incl shipping. Please email me directly, and you can send payment via Paypal or mail in a check.
thomas@darntoothysam.com
Thomas
Hi Thomas,
I had written to you at the email thomas@darntoothysam.com. Please take a look at it and respond.
Thanks,
Ramesh