MX-1 Lens won't retract

**Spodeworld** · 02-06-2015, 07:30 AM

Hi,

The lens on my MX-1 won't retract. Wondering if anyone has had the same problem and solved it.

I have the third party tube and filter over it, so the lens is protected, but I'd like to fix it if possible.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

DeadJohn · 02-06-2015, 02:29 PM

The camera still takes photos? If yes you might not want to risk the brute force fix below.

I had a similar problem with a Canon S95 but it stopped taking photos when it got stuck. Repair would have cost more than the camera was worth. Since the camera was broken anyway, I pushed the stuck lens barrel while turning the camera on and off, and after a few tries something clicked and the lens went back in. I had to push fairly hard. It now extends and retracts normally.

**Spodeworld** · 02-06-2015, 05:32 PM

It works fine outside of the stuck barrel. I have a third party barrel cover over it with a filter, so the lens is protected anyway. But, for a product of this cost, it is frustrating that this has happened.

rburgoss · 02-06-2015, 06:03 PM

Originally posted by Spodeworld

It works fine outside of the stuck barrel. I have a third party barrel cover over it with a filter, so the lens is protected anyway. But, for a product of this cost, it is frustrating that this has happened.

How is that barrel attached to lens base? Have you considered that the barrel attachment way (pressure, twist, bolted, etc) could be the reason the lens mechanism is not working properly?

I suggest removing the barrel and checking the camera's lens base ring. Check for small dents or signs of pressure. Turn camera on an off several times to check lens mechanism.

Let us know your findings.

**Spodeworld** · 02-07-2015, 05:27 AM

Yes, I did take it off, but no dice. It wasn't putting a lot of pressure on there and the base is quite solid itself.

Originally posted by rburgoss

How is that barrel attached to lens base? Have you considered that the barrel attachment way (pressure, twist, bolted, etc) could be the reason the lens mechanism is not working properly?

I suggest removing the barrel and checking the camera's lens base ring. Check for small dents or signs of pressure. Turn camera on an off several times to check lens mechanism.

Let us know your findings.

rburgoss · 02-07-2015, 06:58 AM

That is bad. I guess its time to look for qualified service.

Unfortunately, there are two VERY VULNERABLE parts (or mechanisms) in every single camera, where the lens barrel moves in and out when turning off/on. Those are the flex typd printed cables and the actual mechanical gears that do all the contraction and expansion of lens barrel.

Flex printed cables are prone to break with time. Gears are very fragile (small) and are prone to stripping or breakage upon just minor bumps or even a short 5 inch fall... lens out and facing down. The MX-1 is a little heavy brick, meaning its mass can do a lot more damage from a minor bump than any other all plastic light camera.

The MX-1 is a very fine camera. I believe its worth every effort to fix it good, even if fixing gets costly.

Let us know the outcome.

02-06-2015, 07:30 AM	#1
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370	MX-1 Lens won't retract Hi, The lens on my MX-1 won't retract. Wondering if anyone has had the same problem and solved it. I have the third party tube and filter over it, so the lens is protected, but I'd like to fix it if possible. Any suggestions? Thanks

02-07-2015, 05:27 AM	#5
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370 Original Poster	Yes, I did take it off, but no dice. It wasn't putting a lot of pressure on there and the base is quite solid itself. Originally posted by rburgoss How is that barrel attached to lens base? Have you considered that the barrel attachment way (pressure, twist, bolted, etc) could be the reason the lens mechanism is not working properly? I suggest removing the barrel and checking the camera's lens base ring. Check for small dents or signs of pressure. Turn camera on an off several times to check lens mechanism. Let us know your findings. Last edited by Spodeworld; 02-07-2015 at 09:33 AM.

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02-06-2015, 02:29 PM	#2
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	The camera still takes photos? If yes you might not want to risk the brute force fix below. I had a similar problem with a Canon S95 but it stopped taking photos when it got stuck. Repair would have cost more than the camera was worth. Since the camera was broken anyway, I pushed the stuck lens barrel while turning the camera on and off, and after a few tries something clicked and the lens went back in. I had to push fairly hard. It now extends and retracts normally.

02-06-2015, 05:32 PM	#3
Spodeworld Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Joisey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,370 Original Poster	It works fine outside of the stuck barrel. I have a third party barrel cover over it with a filter, so the lens is protected anyway. But, for a product of this cost, it is frustrating that this has happened.

02-06-2015, 06:03 PM	#4
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	Originally posted by Spodeworld It works fine outside of the stuck barrel. I have a third party barrel cover over it with a filter, so the lens is protected anyway. But, for a product of this cost, it is frustrating that this has happened. How is that barrel attached to lens base? Have you considered that the barrel attachment way (pressure, twist, bolted, etc) could be the reason the lens mechanism is not working properly? I suggest removing the barrel and checking the camera's lens base ring. Check for small dents or signs of pressure. Turn camera on an off several times to check lens mechanism. Let us know your findings.

02-07-2015, 06:58 AM	#6
rburgoss Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Jose, Costa Rica Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 972	That is bad. I guess its time to look for qualified service. Unfortunately, there are two VERY VULNERABLE parts (or mechanisms) in every single camera, where the lens barrel moves in and out when turning off/on. Those are the flex typd printed cables and the actual mechanical gears that do all the contraction and expansion of lens barrel. Flex printed cables are prone to break with time. Gears are very fragile (small) and are prone to stripping or breakage upon just minor bumps or even a short 5 inch fall... lens out and facing down. The MX-1 is a little heavy brick, meaning its mass can do a lot more damage from a minor bump than any other all plastic light camera. The MX-1 is a very fine camera. I believe its worth every effort to fix it good, even if fixing gets costly. Let us know the outcome.