Beginner That Needs Help with Equipment

[chatttown423]

I will start off by saying hello to everyone, and I am happy to be a part of this forum. I am not a pro or anything like that I just shoot pictures for my family. I have a HP Photosmart M417. The other day while my family was at the beach the camera was dropped in the sand, now the lense will not go back into the camera ( its sticks out of the camera) and when I turn the camera on the lense go in and out a little bit on its own then the camera just turns off. Is there a way to fix the camera or do i need to just trash it and by a new one?
thanks,

[Frog]

I think you are going to have to either have it repaired or trash it.
Don't know the camera but you might try blowing or sucking that sand out. I'd suspect that it got into the lens mechanism. If you don't want to pay for repairs, it wouldn't hurt to try.

BTW Welcome to the forums!

[chatttown423]

I think you are going to have to either have it repaired or trash it.
Don't know the camera but you might try blowing or sucking that sand out. I'd suspect that it got into the lens mechanism. If you don't want to pay for repairs, it wouldn't hurt to try.

BTW Welcome to the forums!

Thanks for the reply, What would u reccomend to use to blow or suck the sand out? All I have is a vacuum cleaner, would that be too harsh? Also do you have any idea of how much it might cost to get it fixed. Will the price to get it fixed be more than a new camera of the same number of megapixels?

[WesternGuy]

I would think a vacuum cleaner might be a little harsh, unless you have some way of regulating the blowing force. You might go to a camera store, if there is one in you neighbourhood and ask them. Maybe they will sell you a Rocketblower (DSLR owners use these to clean their sensor sometimes) and maybe that will work. If the sand got into the camera, beyond the lens, then it may well be trash. (Sorry)

Do not use compressed air in a can as it often contains a bit of moisture and if that got in you camera, then you will probably have to trash it. HTH.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Skyman]

If the air didn't work (my guess is that it wont) then it is probably time to replace the camera as often these type of repairs cost more than the value of the camera. The reason for this is that especially on compact cameras the lens assembly has been mass produced and so there really isn't an easy way to pull it apart without damaging it further, but even if there were most camera repairers arent able to preciesely allign the multiple lenses that are inside your camera and so the photos it takes will never be as sharp as they were.

[kernix]

Sounds like a great opportunity to buy a new (or used) better camera - ever think of getting a small body SLR with 2-3 lenses? Not as compact, but if you like photography, you'll see the results.

[freygr]

First DO NOT blow it's sand, you need to us the vacuum and hold the camera lens down and tap and see how much sand you can get out. If the camera still doesn't work check with a repair shop to get it cleaned. The sand has gotten in to the gearing of the lens.

[chatttown423]

Thanks for the replies, but this does sound like a delicate procedure so I think im going to let a pro handle this. Im gonna take it to a repair shop later on this week for a quote, because I dont wont to mess nothing up or make it worst.
thanks,

[Frog]

Good idea! Please let us know the outcome!