Expert: John Oliverio - 5/12/2007

Question
I have a Kodak EasyShare DX6340 3.1 MP camera with a Schneider-Kreuznack lens (36mm - 144mm).  Accidentally dropped the camera in the grass and it pushed the zoom lens back into the camera.  When I try to start the camera I can hear the mechanism trying to push the lens out, but it ends up shutting the camera down (I assume it is a safety mechanism of some type).  Is there some way to free the lens?  I have already taken the back off the camera only to realize that does not give me access to the lens itself (the backing has been re-attached and secured).

My hope is to salvage the camera without the need to bring this to a repair shop that will end up costing more than the value of the camera before they even open it.  Thank you for any recommendations.  

Answer
Chris,

Sorry, but it'll have to go to the shop.  The helical is probably damaged.  And even if it isn't, most cameras require special tools to work on them. In all the years I've been around these things, I've never known someone to actually manage to fix one themselves.

John