Lens Error PowerShot SD870 IS

[JohnL57]

I have a PowerShot SD870 IS that I hadn't used in a long time.  I charged the battery and the camera worked fine for a couple of minutes then the lens wouldn't retract and I got a "Lens Error".  I charged the battery again, I tried starting the camera while holding down the shutter button, and I tried moving a piece of paper around the lens body (to try to clear any obstruction if there was one), but none of that helped.  Does anyone have any other suggestions?  I was wondering if the camera battery is like a car battery where you can charge it, but it still doesn't have enough power.  I don't have another battery or the AC adapter.

[alexben]

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@JohnL57wrote:

I have a PowerShot SD870 IS that I hadn't used in a long time.  I charged the battery and the camera worked fine for a couple of minutes then the lens wouldn't retract and I got a "Lens Error".  I charged the battery again, I tried starting the camera while holding down the shutter button, and I tried moving a piece of paper around the lens body (to try to clear any obstruction if there was one), but none of that helped.  Does anyone have any other suggestions?  I was wondering if the camera battery is like a car battery where you can charge it, but it still doesn't have enough power.  I don't have another battery or the AC adapter.

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It sounds like you’ve covered most of the basics. A "Lens Error" often points to a mechanical issue rather than battery power. If cleaning and recharging didn’t help, consider trying a different battery if possible or take the camera to a repair service.

[Commercial link removed.]

[JohnL57]

Thanks alexben!  You said that it's most likely not a power issue, but you suggested trying another battery.  Most things that I read suggest charging the battery for this error.  And it is weird that the camera worked fine for a couple of minutes after charging the battery after not using it for a long time.  I realize the camera is old, but Canon should have better support for this.  Does anyone know how to test the battery?  There are three "contacts" on the battery.  It looks like the "outside contacts" are for + and -?  Does anyone know what the middle "contact" is for?

[Danny]

Thanks for letting us know what Canon product you've got. The PowerShot SD870 IS is an older model which we have retired. While that means that Canon USA no longer offers direct support for it, your friends here in the Canon Community are welcome to offer suggestions!

You can also speak with a Canon Upgrade Program specialist to help you score a modern replacement that would meet your current needs at a discount. You can reach them Monday through Friday at 1-866-443-8002.

Hope this helps!

[JohnL57]

Thanks Danny!  I realize that the camera is retired, but the "lens error" could be applied to your newer cameras also.  So, I should be able be find out if the battery could cause the error.  I should also be able to find out how to test the battery.  From my research, the outer "contacts" are + and - and the middle tab is for camera data.  I don't know if the testing process is just to get 3.7 volts from the outer contacts.  Also, it would be nice if Canon had authorized repair places to consult with.  With not being able to get such basic information, it is unlikely that I would go with another Canon camera.

[Tronhard]

If the camera you are using is outside its service life, then there are no 'authorized' service centres - for your issue, given you are apparently inquiring about the battery, a simple battery tester (as you suggest) is your first step. You might also consult this link:
Procedure for charging the battery PowerShot SD870 IS. (canon.com)

Batteries degrade over time, used or not, so if the unit has been discharged for an extended period you may find that the battery is in a state of deep discharge, which may require several charge cycles that will hopefully each provide increasing durations of energy.  If that doesn't work, alternatively, you can invest in a new NB-5L battery.

[JohnL57]

Thanks Tronhard, but I think that you missed the whole reason for my post.  My problem is the "lens error".  I asked about testing the battery for two reasons.  One is because I need to know if a faulty battery, even though it can be charged, can cause the error.  The other reason is because I need to know if the battery is bad, even though it can be charged, before I waste time and money looking for another battery.  I mention this because I have seen OEM batteries, but don't know if the charge was maintained properly or not.  And there are aftermarket batteries, but I have to do more research to see if the aftermarket battery is from a good company and won't cause problems with the camera.

For the battery testing, is it as simple as testing the voltage or should I test it at different times after it is charged and removed from the camera to see if there is a voltage drop?  Is my research right that the outer "contacts" are + and - and the middle tab is for camera data right?  The link lists the "contacts", but doesn't say if they are in "order".  Could there be a problem with the data "contact" that could cause the error?  If so, how do I test for that?  I realize that the camera is old, but it is good shape and I don't want to throw it away until I have done everything that I can to get it working.  With the camera working fine for a little bit after I charged the battery after the battery was not charged in a long time, makes me "suspicious" of the battery.

[Tronhard]

As you wrote: "I was wondering if the camera battery is like a car battery where you can charge it, but it still doesn't have enough power."  A 'lens error' can be caused by not having enough energy to drive the lens motor, hence my response. As camera batteries age their recharge potential drops.  This can be seen in the bigger DSLR units where the battery charge screen shows this. 

Since the battery issue is the easiest one to trouble shoot, that I why I suggested the measures you are seeing.

I understand you are looking at this from a more technical point of view, as regards contacts.  To me, if the battery is not working then it needs to be replaced, no matter what, to eliminate that issue.  Normally the charger itself will provide that information by how it lights up - it will either not show a green full charge colour or it will stay red or flash repeatedly at a high rate.  If it shows green, you remove the battery, replace it in the charger, and it then immediately goes back to charging again, then the battery is suspect  See:
Procedure for charging the battery PowerShot SD870 IS. (canon.com)

However, if you want to measure charge yourself, as you will see from the enclosed link at the bottom, there are notes about the charging characteristics and the terminal configuration for you to work with. 

As I suggested, doing a series of repetitive charges will tell you if the charge can be reinstated.  If it cannot then you know the battery is not up to the job, no matter what else is happening: because you will still not get the camera to work properly.

From the User Manual, the following comment is also made for a Lens Error message:  that might be true, but you need to remove the much easier to resolve issue of the battery first.  If you still get the error then, the following applies.

[JohnL57]

Thanks for the info Tronhard!  My camera does not show the battery level on it.  When I turn the camera on, there is a black screen with "lens error, restart camera" on it then it shuts off.  That is why I brought up testing the battery.

I saw what you said about letting the battery discharge then charging again, but I am not sure how to do that since the camera won't come on.  The battery charger does go to green.

You said the link at the bottom.  Did you mean the link right above?  If so, I read that one and wanted to verify that the terminals are in that order ( ).  Also, I was wondering about the data connection.  Could the battery have the right amount of power, but the data terminal is not working right?

It looks like I will have to charge the battery then keep checking it to see if it loses power.  I may just have to try a new battery anyway.  As I mentioned before, I have been hesitant to get a new battery because a new OEM battery might not have had the charge maintained properly (since it is an older camera) and there are a bunch of aftermarket batteries (but anybody can make a battery to sell on Amazon).  Do you know of any good aftermarket companies that make batteries for Canon cameras?

[Tronhard]

My camera does not show the battery level on it.  I know that, hence my comment that the feature appears on more expensive DSLR units, but I was proving my point that battery charging degrades over time and Canon recognizes that in those displays - if you really want me to, I can find a screen display that shows the batteries I put in have degraded, but it's a pretty well-recognized phenomenon.  A clue is often that the battery may appear charged, but when taken out and put back in again, it starts indicating a charge again - hence my other comments. That was all.
All I can say is that if the battery is looking good, put a battery tester on it and get a value for the battery output - the specs are clearly indicated on the documentation and the battery itself.  You can't really progress to a more expensive option without exhausting that possibility.   It might be fully charging, but if not, then one possibility is to get the new battery anyway and hope that sorts out the issue.

In the comment the comma was in the wrong place - result of too many edits late at night, so should have read: 
" as you will see from the enclosed link, at the bottom there are notes..." (the power of punctuation). 
I see no reason why the official Canon document in the link would not be accurate and it is normal practice to separate + and - terminals as widely as possible, with an earth (if required) in the centre.  That way the end terminals can be connected either way at the extremes and still get a reading, albeit a - or + value.

All I can say is that if the battery is established as good, then it does sound like a fault with the camera itself. Basically, this was simply what I was trying to verify.  In which case you have the following options:
1. Try a third-party service agent to fix the issue: frankly, it will cost you more than the camera is worth and it is not guaranteed to work - if it's a parts issue that is unlikely to be available for consumer grade cameras after this time.
2. Buy a new camera. 

Honestly I cannot help you any further.  You can try and contact Canon techs at 800-OK-Canon and have a chat to them if you think it will do any good.  I don't work for Canon and you probably need to talk to them directly.