The Vacuum Trick (Fix For Malfunctioning Camera)

This commentary is a followup to my 10/18/2016 post "Rising Water" (PPP #40). This was a post written 13 days ago, immediately after receiving the 10.2 megapixel camera that I purchased used on eBay for $16.

Purchased because I slipped in mud and my old camera got dunked in water (the exact same model). Then wouldn't work. So I stuck it in a bag of rice (which I read on the interwebs might fix it). So today I took the camera out of the bag of rice... which it had been in for 18 days (5 days waiting for the "new" camera to arrive, then 13 days of using it).

I chose today because I took the the "new" one on a walk. A walk on the nature preserve I live near. Well, after taking a few pictures it malfunctioned. What happened was that I took a pic, then pushed the power button to preserve the batteries. When I originally purchased the camera (the original camera) back in 2007, I found that leaving it on drained the batteries REALLY fast.

I was concerned about the lens going in and out would wear it out, so I'd leave it on while using it. But, as it turned out, the batteries didn't last long leaving it on. So I decided to turn it off between shots, and that fixed the problem (at first I thought there was something wrong with the camera, as the batteries were draining so fast).

So, what happened was that I turned it off... after which the lens is supposed to retract and then the protective shutter over the lens closes. But the lens only retracted part way, the shutter didn't close, and the camera beeped twice (indicating a malfunction). I turned it on and off a few times, but it kept doing it.

Oddly, the camera lens would fully retract when I turned it on (completing the action it was supposed to have taken when I shut it off), then extend again. So... broken, I thought. I never should have purchased a USED camera. I had worried that this might be the case (that it would malfunction within a few days). But I decided to cross my fingers and hope to get a good one.

Anyway, being without a camera (and absolutely HAVING to have one for my eBay business), I decided to first try the old one. I took it out of the bag of rice when I got home, transfered the batteries from the malfunctioning unit into it, and pushed the power button.

The lens extend part way, then beeped twice. DAMN! I tried it again with the same results. I tried it a 3rd time and the same thing happened. So it's junk I thought. I was going to give up, but decided to try it a 4th. And this time it worked! The lens is no longer fogged up (water in the lens) and it appears to be working.

Now back to the other camera. I decided to use the vacuum trick. Perhaps some grit was preventing the lens from extending? Who knows? I have used this trick to fix my camera previously (the first one. the one that got wet). Years ago I noticed a spot on pictures I was taking. Looking at the lens closely, I noticed something INSIDE the lens.

No way to get that out, I thought. Anyway, I decided to try the shop vac. Placing the hose over the lens, I HOPED to suck out the speck. Not that I thought it work, given the fact the speck had somehow gotten inside the lens. Well, it did work!

Not that this situation was similar, but both situations did involve a problem with the lens. Anyway, I tried it, and the camera (the one I purchased on eBay and then malfunctioned), now appears to be working as well. Not that I trust either one. I'll go back to using the eBay purchased one for now and see if it keeps working.

When it malfunctioned the FIRST thing I thought was that I'd contact the seller about a refund. I figure that 30 days is a reasonable amount of time to test it out... and get my money back if there is a problem. I mean, a camera that works for 13 days surely isn't acceptable. Not to me, anyway.

But to the point of the story (the title of the post). If you find yourself with a lens problem (dirt in the lens, lens won't extend), you might want to try the vacuum trick. Note that I used a powerful shop vac (lots of suction). It's worked for me twice now.

Although, if the malfunctioning camera continues to work remains to be seen. I certainly hope it does. Also note that, as far as the "rick trick" working goes, I also opened up the camera (removed the back panel) and the screen. And there was some water there. Which I used a tissue to absorb. But it still didn't work after putting it back together.

Apparently the front can be removed (and I'm sure there was some water in there), but I've never done that before and was leary about trying to force it. It didn't appear to want to come off. So I decided to try the rice. And it worked. It may malfunction later, however. Who knows if the water damaged the camera in some way that won't be apparent until some later date.

PPP #43

Rising Water

(Click image to enlarge).

A picture of the path I walked 5 days earlier. This would be the same day I posted the muddy feet pic. That day, none of that water was there. I walked along the edge of the cornfield. The yellow arrow points to where I went. So, as you can see, the water level rose quite a bit in 5 days. There is a river if you keep walking (a road that runs parallel to the now underwater path).

Walking down this path for awhile I eventually came to a place where it was flooded. I should have turned about, but I pulled up my pant legs and kept going. A short while later I slipped in some mud and fell to my knees. At the time (when I realized I was going to fall), my goal was to not land on my ass and end up with wet underwear.

When I found myself in the water I - after a few seconds had passed and I took in the fact that I was soaked - I thought, what about my camera? It was around my neck attached to a lanyard. Sure enough, I looked down and it was submerged. So I pulled it out and brushed it off.

It hadn't been in the water too long, so maybe it was OK? I had just been thinking about how long this camera had lasted. I've owned it since 2007, when I purchased it on sale at a Black Friday sale. I did replace the screen a few years ago after it went bad. Although, not being sure I could do it, I first purchased a "new" camera (same make/model) off eBay.

The seller said it was new/new. Complete in box with all accessories. Unfortunately it began malfunctioning a few days after I received it. So I sent it back for a refund (taking a loss on the return shipping). That is when I decided to try and replace the screen myself. Which, as it turned out, was a little difficult, but not that hard.

Now I think, after never dropping it or having any other mishaps, the camera won't work again. Of course (after brushing the water off) I had to see if it would work, and turned it on. Which is what you're supposed to NOT do (according to the Google search I did). Apparently a wet camera can short out.

Which isn't what happened, I think. The lens extended, but only only half way. Then the camera beeped a few times and turned off. The screen came on briefly (before turning off) and appeared grayish white. Which, after examining the lense under a light, I found was caused by condensation (water) inside the lense.

In any case, it's currently in a bag of rice. I haven't tried it since. I did go on eBay and purchase another one. Same make and model, which is the Samsung BL103. A really well made sturdy camera, IMO. Instead of plastic, the body is metal. I also like the color (the camera is red instead of black). And it takes 2 AA batteries (I use rechargeables). Instead of 3 (which I've seen) or (worse) a battery designed for the specific camera (think Sony, which also has unique memory "sticks"). I ruled out a Sony for those two reasons when initially looking at cameras.

Anyway, given that I purchased it used and the fact that it's an old model, the price was a low $16.95 (including shipping). Although I contacted the seller and offering him $12.95, he dropped the price by a buck. Although (and this did make me unsure of buying it) he said he was not the original owner. Instead he said he buys and resells used cameras.

So maybe the original owner treated it roughly and it won't last? I went on Amazon and found the price for the same camera is close to what I bought it for new (around $65). Hopefully it won't start malfunctioning like the other one. Although, now that I think of it, the eBay seller's description for that one might have indicated that it was a floor model.

I don't remember what the description said. I do remember thinking I was safe if was new in the box (with all the accessories). But that turned out not to be the case. BTW, when I replaced the screen on my original camera, that screen (purchased off eBay) arrived cracked. Although I didn't realize it was cracked until I installed it and turned the camera on.

As for slipping in the mud, it's only happened to me twice previously (in the last 10 years), and never while walking in water. And I have walked in water before. So, yeah, what I did was probably stupid, but I have previously walked in many places where slipping in mud could have happened, but didn't'.

Point is, I was thinking I wouldn't slip in mud. Although it did occur to me. But I thought my camera was safe, given the fact that (attached to the lanyard), I couldn't drop it. Or, I could drop it, but it wouldn't hit the ground. I thought that was a very good precaution that would protect my camera from damage.

Anyway, 5 days later the used eBay camera came in the mail, and I decided it needed to be tested right away. I walked back to where I slipped and took a picture (as close to that location as I could get). The pictures I took look good, and no malfunctioning... so far. I'll have to do more testing.

PPP #40

Feet

(Click image to enlarge).

A picture of my feet after I stepped in mud. Bulldozers were clearing more space over the weekend on the nature preserve down the road from where I live. Paths and space for more corn, I presume. For ducks to eat? I really don't know. I went online to see if I could find any info regarding what they're doing, but couldn't find anything.

Anyway, I walked back and took a look. Brought my dogs, because they like running around off leash. I'd walked this same path the day before, so when I saw the mud I didn't think much of it... until I sank in up to my ankle (right foot). BTW, yes, I like being barefoot.

PPP #39

I'm Not Dead Yet

As detailed in my inaugural post, this blog was created as an outlet for all my NON-political thoughts. I've decided to break that rule however. It's my blog and I can do whatever the hell I want. The NEW rule is that all posts will be quick off-the-top-of-my-head affairs for which no research will be done. I may claim that a "fact" is just that, a FACT, but I will do no research to be certain of it or provide any links to confirm that anything I'm claiming isn't simply made up.

Politics will be brought up in this post. And possibly others. On my politically themed blog I've been largely discussing healthcare and my support for a public option. Although what I really believe the US should adopt is a single-payer system.

I truly believe that the adoption of such a system would be good for our economy. Small businesses would no longer be burdened by the rising cost of providing healthcare for their employees. According to this website "Medicare for all would be a windfall for businesses". Workman's comp claims would be "cut in half". People wouldn't be tied to their jobs, or be scared to leave because they wanted to change jobs - or start their own businesses.

There are a bunch more reasons. I encourage you to check out the website. See the link I provided earlier - a link I said (even earlier) that I wouldn't provide, but decided to anyway. I'm still typing this directly into blogger however, and don't plan on spending a lot of time composing this, or any other post. Unlike my other blog where I do a lot of research.

Anyway, the reason for me, personally, wanting a national healthcare system is because I do not have healthcare insurance. And I have a pre-existing condition. A chronic disease that is currently untreated, makes my life miserable, but probably won't kill me (anytime soon, in any case). The health care reform bill we eventually end up with may or may not include a public option, although it appears that exclusions for "pre-existing" conditions WILL be one of the issues addressed. The healthcare companies are running TV spots saying so. But I'll believe it when I see it. Not that it will help me at the moment. My current economic circumstances are such that I could not afford to pay even if they would accept me.

I have largely been without healthcare insurance for most of my adult life. During the period I last had health care insurance I went to see a specialist several times. The medicines prescribed, while very expensive, were otherwise completely useless. My out-of-pocket was only a small co-pay, but I still felt ripped-off because huge amounts of money were paid for medicines that had no effect what-so-ever. The insurance company paid for something that may have as well been a placebo (who cares, screw them), but the drug company (screw them too) was very well compensated for a product that would have most likely cost a lot less in Canada. Or any other country where the Government negotiates for lower prices.

This is bullcrap and I'm sick of it. Soak the rich I say. The lives of everyone will be improved greatly. The likelihood of that happening is, however, quite low, IMO. The class war is winding down, and it is the wealthy who have prevailed. Not a surprise really, although we did beat them back several times over the course of our nation's history. Barack Obama doesn't appear to be a an FDR type president. Although FDR wasn't the transformation kind of liberal that we need now when he first was elected president.

Even though I'm not an optimist I haven't given up yet. I'm not dead yet and my health has deteriorated to a point where I wish I was. Although I can foresee a time where that will be the case, that time isn't here yet.

PPP #2