Help with digital camera lens - cloudy film INSIDE -- what to do??? Updated 08/13/2012

[Denninmi]

Last edited Mon Aug 13, 2012, 06:30 PM - Edit history (1)

Question -- my digital camera, just a cheap Kodak point and shoot, I paid around $100 for it about 3 years ago -- seems to have developed some kind of cloudy film INSIDE of the lens. I used it to take pictures a week or so back around twilight, and they came out blurry/cloudy, I thought I had used the wrong setting for the light conditions. I tried taking some more photos yesterday in bright light, and I now see that the lens appears to have some kind of film or dirt INSIDE of it, or otherwise has become marred or defective. I cleaned the outside of the lens with lens cleaner, thinking it was just dirty, but that wasn't the problem.

I don't think it opens in any way.

Any thoughts, or is it just toast?

[Stevenmarc]

1. Not a DIY job

You need to contact Kodak support:

http://support.en.kodak.com/app/home/selected/true

and see if its actually worth the trouble to fix it.

[Denninmi]

2. Kind of what I figured.

Probably would cost as much or more to have it repaired than just buy a new one. It's a couple of years old. I think I saw the same model on sale after the fact for about $20-$25 less than I paid, which is the way it goes.

Thanks.

[RC]

3. Could it be moisture from high humidity?

If so, it should go away on it own when it dries out.

[handmade34]

4. I've heard tell

that putting a camera in rice will help absorb moisture?

[Stevenmarc]

6. That might work

If you dropped your cell phone in the toilet, it happens, but rice is a tad dusty and P&S have a lot of moving parts near the place where you least want to introduce a plethora of particulates.

Now if you can get your hands on a few of those silica bags that are always packed with your electronics that would be a safer way to go.

[Major Nikon]

5. Sounds like fungus

If so the repair cost will almost certainly be more than the camera is worth.

[canonfodder]

7. very possible.

An example photo or two would help.
I'm drifting more toward condensation due to the problem just showing up.
If it is fungus, the camera is shot.
If moisture, a couple days of drying may correct it.

[Major Nikon]

8. According to the OP, it's been there a week

Had that not been the case I might guess condensation also.

[canonfodder]

9. Did see that.

If the camera is subjected to regular temp/humidity changes, it hasn't had a chance to dry.

From the OP, it seems the problem covers the entire frame.
This is why a couple of examples would help.
Fungus tends to be spotty, condensation has even and wide coverage.

[Denninmi]

10. Thanks, all.

I'm the OP.

Yes, it WAS just condensation inside the lens. How, why it got in there I don't know?

Based on the replies here, I actually took the camera to my basement and hung it directly over the hot, dry air being discharged from my de-humidifier. I just left it there about a week.

Now it's perfectly fine.

BEFORE drying it out - this is what I was getting, very blurry.

[IMG][/IMG]

AFTER photos:


[IMG][/IMG]


[IMG][/IMG]

[rDigital]

11. Cool, all is well. Enjoy, but now you have to post pictures of a cat.

Sorry, that's the rules.

[canonfodder]

12. Beer time!

That is good news.
I was sure hoping it wasn't a fungus problem.
That would have been a bit more expensive to fix.