XL1s lens failure? at DVinfo.net

Chris Gaston · August 8th, 2004, 02:15 AM

Hi, I have an XL1s less than a month old with what appears to be a complete failure of the 16x standard lens. The zoom and the auto focus do not operate, but the ND filter switches in if selected, I have an image, but it is blurred.

The camera operates correctly with the Optex Nikon to XL1 adaptor and the metering in manual also gives good readings. Somewhere I read about electrical contact problems with the XL1s lenses, but I would have thought the camera too new, (30 minutes use), for this to be an issue.

Before I send the camera back to the dealer, have I missed the obvious? Any help would be appreciated.

John Richards · August 8th, 2004, 06:06 AM

Similar problems have occured on Canon EF lens and a few have been caused by dirty contacts - the recommendation I have seen is to carefully clean both sets of contacts with a soft pencil eraser (cleaning of any residue with a soft brush) . It might be worth trying this before returning the lens although they should not be dirty after such a short time.
Best of luck

Carl Walters · August 8th, 2004, 07:07 AM

I have had this happen twice on two different cameras. The store has exchanged the whole set up twice. I found though it was not the actual lens that was giving the error but the body itself. I tried the suspect lens on my other camera and it worked fine. It was an intermittent fault and would work sometimes and then not others. The store exchanged the faulty stuff straight away. I suggest you go back to the store and get it swapped.

Chris Gaston · August 9th, 2004, 11:41 AM

Thanks for the advice, I will give the contacts a clean and if no joy it will be returned for exchange.

Chris Hurd · August 9th, 2004, 09:28 PM

Just a note, not saying this is the case in this particular situation, but always be sure to turn the camera off before removing the lens. Otherwise, powered contacts will cross which shouldn't, and you'll risk shorting out some or all functions. A trip to factory service is then neccessary.

Chris Gaston · August 11th, 2004, 05:59 AM

Chris,

Thanks for the tip. I read the warning in the manual so did not do it, however, it's worth repeating.

The camera is now with Canon UK for test and report; not for too long I hope.

Thanks.

August 8th, 2004, 02:15 AM	#1
Chris Gaston New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 17	XL1s lens failure? Hi, I have an XL1s less than a month old with what appears to be a complete failure of the 16x standard lens. The zoom and the auto focus do not operate, but the ND filter switches in if selected, I have an image, but it is blurred. The camera operates correctly with the Optex Nikon to XL1 adaptor and the metering in manual also gives good readings. Somewhere I read about electrical contact problems with the XL1s lenses, but I would have thought the camera too new, (30 minutes use), for this to be an issue. Before I send the camera back to the dealer, have I missed the obvious? Any help would be appreciated.

August 9th, 2004, 09:28 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Just a note, not saying this is the case in this particular situation, but always be sure to turn the camera off before removing the lens. Otherwise, powered contacts will cross which shouldn't, and you'll risk shorting out some or all functions. A trip to factory service is then neccessary. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

August 8th, 2004, 06:06 AM	#2
John Richards New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Blackwood, Wales Posts: 16	Similar problems have occured on Canon EF lens and a few have been caused by dirty contacts - the recommendation I have seen is to carefully clean both sets of contacts with a soft pencil eraser (cleaning of any residue with a soft brush) . It might be worth trying this before returning the lens although they should not be dirty after such a short time. Best of luck

August 8th, 2004, 07:07 AM	#3
Carl Walters Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: East Midlands Posts: 137	I have had this happen twice on two different cameras. The store has exchanged the whole set up twice. I found though it was not the actual lens that was giving the error but the body itself. I tried the suspect lens on my other camera and it worked fine. It was an intermittent fault and would work sometimes and then not others. The store exchanged the faulty stuff straight away. I suggest you go back to the store and get it swapped.

August 9th, 2004, 11:41 AM	#4
Chris Gaston New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 17	Thanks for the advice, I will give the contacts a clean and if no joy it will be returned for exchange.

August 11th, 2004, 05:59 AM	#6
Chris Gaston New Boot Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK Posts: 17	Chris, Thanks for the tip. I read the warning in the manual so did not do it, however, it's worth repeating. The camera is now with Canon UK for test and report; not for too long I hope. Thanks.