SX40HS Erratic Zooming

[Hoover]

The zoom just wants to do it own thing, I'll put it where I want it and a 1/2 later it's zooming way back out. I'll turn it on and it will zoom way out. Other times it back and forth on it's own. The problem started as a rare glitch not long after I bought it but now it either needs to be fixed of junked. Does anybody know what's going on with this? I'm going to try the reset proceedure by holding the power button with the battery removed. I'll try some manual modes to at least get me through this vacation.

I'm looking through the manual and now think it's possible I'm bumping the zoom framing assist button. The next time it happens I'll try hitting the button and see if it cancels out and gives me control again.

[Richard]

Hi Hoover,

Thank you for posting.

From your description, the "hard reset" of your camera (removing the battery pack, closing the battery compartment door, then holding the power button down for 5 seconds or so, then releasing it) may resolve this issue for you.

[Hoover · Accepted solution]

Thanks Richard, turns out it was me. After about a 100 shots it started acting up again and sure enough, the joint of my thumb was hitting the frame assist button right as I was trying to control the zoom. I bet this happens to a lot of people since my wife has also complained about it for years.