Yesterday I noticed that, when I power-off my HV20, the bottom leaf of the automatic lens cover is not closing. It closes if I tap gently on it, or give it a gentle pull. This is annoying because having to do so prevents me from using a protective filter on the lens. My camera is less than two months old. Shall I send it back to the seller and ask for a replacement? (I hope I'm still under the return period).

Anybody else had this problem?

Anil,
Even if the seller's returning period is over your cam is still under canon warranty I suppose. So you can send it to Canon also I think. Try talking to the reseller and than canon customer support.

I noticed mine does the same thing on occasion, but not all the time. I have a UV filter on the front and just slightly tap or shake and it closes fine.

Just a thought...but perhaps using a little compressed air in a can might help to loosen up any dust or dirt that may have settled in the mechanism.

I've tried the compressed-air method. I don't know if it worked; but I observed that the cover is now closing if I point the camera upwards and then power-off. Otherwise, the bottom leaf is still not closing - as if it's unable to overcome the gravity pull.

I contacted the reseller for advice and any tips. To my surprise, they gave me a replacement offer, though I crossed the return period a month ago. I'm going to try the compressed-air once again and if it doesn't work, I'll go for the replacement.

Does anyone else's HV20 lens cover rattle or make a slight clicking noise when you pitch the nose up or down? this is especially true when it is turned "off" and closed.... but still just barely there when camcorder is "on" and lens cover is open.

I guess its not a big deal but the onboard mic is sure to pic it up sometimes. I just got the HV20 and have already had to exchanged it for another that does the same thing (just not as much.)

I WOULDNT recommend playing with compressed air near the lens system at all. Although its an apparently sealed unit the last thing you want is to force any dust or dirt back further into the camera, lens system or sensor.

Does anyone else's HV20 lens cover rattle or make a slight clicking noise when you pitch the nose up or down? this is especially true when it is turned "off" and closed.... but still just barely there when camcorder is "on" and lens cover is open.

I guess its not a big deal but the onboard mic is sure to pic it up sometimes. I just got the HV20 and have already had to exchanged it for another that does the same thing (just not as much.)

I seem to recall others asking this question previously here and that the answer was the sound you are hearing is the image-stablization hardware...or something like that.

Whatever the noise is.....It was present in 4 out of 4 HV20s that the salesman and I looked at. Although some seemed to be a little more than others. I guess it's not that big of a deal. I got an extended warranty too.

That noise is *not* the lens cover -- it's the OIS mechanism. Every camcorder with OIS, any make, any model, has that little clicking. It's nothing to worry about (unless the clicking stops -- then you've got real trouble).