Canon PowerShot SX730- How to fix lens not fully opening?

[Davidsx730]

Canon PowerShot SX730 HS

When the camera is turned on, the metal 'leaves" that cover the lens should fully open. They do not. See the attached pictures. Picture #1 shows what the lens looks like fully open. Picture #2 shows the lens partially open with the metal leaves stuck in a half open position. In this half open position I can fully open the lens cover by lightly nudging the metal leaves.  Note that when I turn the camera off, the metal leaves do not fully close and again I need to gently nudge the leaves to get them to close.

So how do I fix this? Perhaps there is dirt between the metal leaves, but I am having trouble getting between the leaves to remove potential dirt.

Any suggestions?

[Ray-uk]

This lens cover is a very delicate mechanism and as such it doesn't take much to stop it working, it is quite possible that you have somehow bent the mechanism or got a grain of sand inside it. either way there isn't much you can do with it without disassembling it and that is not a course of action that I would advise. You could try giving it a blast with canned air that might clear any obstruction.

[John_]

If the compressed air doesn't help try a vacuum with a set of small brush and nozzle tools they are available at The Home Depot and Amazon

[zuvb]

I dropped the SX730 and it dented the lens, as camera was on Then it would not function - screen reading lens error. There is no way and no where to fix it, apparently. I called and contacted camera shops, Canon, etc. Nor is there a way to buy one or a similar one like the 730. or 740  Canon and all stores have been out for months. Help ! Where can I find a 730 or 740 ???