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! =) Hope this helps you repair your camera!
Thomas Drayton,
Owner; http://www.darntoothysam.com
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