Expert: John Oliverio - 11/15/2008

Question
QUESTION: The zoom function buttons ie T and W do not activate  the Zoom function on the camera any more,they do not work.
The zoom works when  the macro button is pressed,the lens moves out to full extension.Everything else works.
In a previous answer of yours about a malfunction on a similar 330,you suggested that the age of the camera could be the cause.Any ideas about this malfunction?Jerry

ANSWER: Jeremy,

Age could very well be a factor. My guess would be that the zoom switch is either dirty or broken.

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:  On the SuperZoom 33o do you know if the T and W buttons operate via a membrane as on  a keyboard or is it a direct metallic contact? Jerry

ANSWER: Those "membrane" switches still have metal contacts. I don't remember which the 330 has.  Sorry.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks.My thinking is to put a controlled very small drop of KONTACT 60 contact cleaner down the side of the T and W buttons,obviously it probably will not work if there is a membrane there. Jerry

Answer
I'm sorry.  I don't know how the switch is assembled. I would suggest that if you are going to do that, that you first fire that flash to discharge the capacitor then drop the batteries out before it can re-charge. Leave the camera with the batteries out for 24 hours to let any power drain from the capacitor. Then put the liquid it. You'll want to let it dry for 72 hours before you power it back up.  You don't want to short out the capacitor.

John