Kodak Digital camera problem

I've got a problem with a Kodak EasyShare Digital camera that we
bought several years ago... when it's on battery power, and you power
it up, it immediately asks for the date, extends the lens, then shuts
down. I was researching replacement Kodak cameras on NewEgg (I like
their user reviews and have had good service on computer stuff with
them) and saw several complaints that *brand new* Kodak cameras were
having that problem.

Can anyone here speak to whether or not this is a problem with Kodak
cameras in general, or know how to fix this problem?

If this is a problem with Kodak cameras, what do you folks recommend
for someone who's reasonably technical (I had a year of photography in
college,) but wants something for vacation photos, etc? While it would
be nice to continue with SD cards (since I have several) it doesn't
really matter, as I have a multi-card reader on my computer, and most
cameras have a USB port anyway. I'm not looking to spend more than
about $150-200.

On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:12:07 -0700, John Aldrich wrote:

> I've got a problem with a Kodak EasyShare Digital camera that we bought
> several years ago... when it's on battery power, and you power it up, it
> immediately asks for the date, extends the lens, then shuts down. I was
> researching replacement Kodak cameras on NewEgg (I like their user
> reviews and have had good service on computer stuff with them) and saw
> several complaints that *brand new* Kodak cameras were having that
> problem.
>
> Can anyone here speak to whether or not this is a problem with Kodak
> cameras in general, or know how to fix this problem?
>
> If this is a problem with Kodak cameras, what do you folks recommend for
> someone who's reasonably technical (I had a year of photography in
> college,) but wants something for vacation photos, etc? While it would
> be nice to continue with SD cards (since I have several) it doesn't
> really matter, as I have a multi-card reader on my computer, and most
> cameras have a USB port anyway. I'm not looking to spend more than about
> $150-200.

I have not had any similar issues with my P850 - that's all I can tell
you. IMHO the P series (now discontinued, but still available at the
online store) was a really good camera - I'm completely satisfied with
mine.

John Aldrich wrote:
> I've got a problem with a Kodak EasyShare Digital camera that we
> bought several years ago... when it's on battery power, and you power
> it up, it immediately asks for the date, extends the lens, then shuts
> down. I was researching replacement Kodak cameras on NewEgg (I like
> their user reviews and have had good service on computer stuff with
> them) and saw several complaints that *brand new* Kodak cameras were
> having that problem.
>
> Can anyone here speak to whether or not this is a problem with Kodak
> cameras in general, or know how to fix this problem?
>
> If this is a problem with Kodak cameras, what do you folks recommend
> for someone who's reasonably technical (I had a year of photography in
> college,) but wants something for vacation photos, etc? While it would
> be nice to continue with SD cards (since I have several) it doesn't
> really matter, as I have a multi-card reader on my computer, and most
> cameras have a USB port anyway. I'm not looking to spend more than
> about $150-200.

I have experience with 3 different Kodak digital camera models, over the
last 5 years, and have been very happy with all of them. If I have any
criticism to offer it is that Kodak tends to compress files too much,
given how cheap flash media has become. My wifes C743 has been an
excellent camera for general purpose, and produces very good pictures,
but is not intended for low light pictures, and simply will not focus in
low light. My older DX6440 works fine in low light, assuming one can
get it steady enough to allow adequate length of exposure without blur.

Your problem may be inadequate contact with the camera batteries. Some
corrosion, or just a bit of oily residue, can get on the contacts on the
battery door, or the batteries themselves. Clean them with a dry coarse
cloth, and try again.

"John Aldrich" <jaldrich@blueridgecarpet.com> wrote in message
news:b3d53a64-dada-47b0-8aee-28c73bd8f67e@8g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> I've got a problem with a Kodak EasyShare Digital camera that we
> bought several years ago... when it's on battery power, and you power
> it up, it immediately asks for the date, extends the lens, then shuts
> down. I was researching replacement Kodak cameras on NewEgg (I like
> their user reviews and have had good service on computer stuff with
> them) and saw several complaints that *brand new* Kodak cameras were
> having that problem.
>
> Can anyone here speak to whether or not this is a problem with Kodak
> cameras in general, or know how to fix this problem?
>
> If this is a problem with Kodak cameras, what do you folks recommend
> for someone who's reasonably technical (I had a year of photography in
> college,) but wants something for vacation photos, etc? While it would
> be nice to continue with SD cards (since I have several) it doesn't
> really matter, as I have a multi-card reader on my computer, and most
> cameras have a USB port anyway. I'm not looking to spend more than
> about $150-200.

Root Cause of your problem and first word of your Subject are the same....

On Jun 10, 12:43 pm, "Boogie Woogie" <piano@music> wrote:
>
> Root Cause of your problem and first word of your Subject are the same....
>
I take it then that you are not fond of Kodak Digital cameras? What
then would you recommend for a similar price level?

On Jun 10, 11:23 am, Ron Hunter <rphun...@charter.net> wrote:
> John Aldrich wrote:
> > I've got a problem with a Kodak EasyShare Digital camera that we
> > bought several years ago... when it's on battery power, and you power
> > it up, it immediately asks for the date, extends the lens, then shuts
> > down. I was researching replacement Kodak cameras on NewEgg (I like
> > their user reviews and have had good service on computer stuff with
> > them) and saw several complaints that *brand new* Kodak cameras were
> > having that problem.
>
> > Can anyone here speak to whether or not this is a problem with Kodak
> > cameras in general, or know how to fix this problem?
>
> > If this is a problem with Kodak cameras, what do you folks recommend
> > for someone who's reasonably technical (I had a year of photography in
> > college,) but wants something for vacation photos, etc? While it would
> > be nice to continue with SD cards (since I have several) it doesn't
> > really matter, as I have a multi-card reader on my computer, and most
> > cameras have a USB port anyway. I'm not looking to spend more than
> > about $150-200.
>
> I have experience with 3 different Kodak digital camera models, over the
> last 5 years, and have been very happy with all of them. If I have any
> criticism to offer it is that Kodak tends to compress files too much,
> given how cheap flash media has become. My wifes C743 has been an
> excellent camera for general purpose, and produces very good pictures,
> but is not intended for low light pictures, and simply will not focus in
> low light. My older DX6440 works fine in low light, assuming one can
> get it steady enough to allow adequate length of exposure without blur.
>
> Your problem may be inadequate contact with the camera batteries. Some
> corrosion, or just a bit of oily residue, can get on the contacts on the
> battery door, or the batteries themselves. Clean them with a dry coarse
> cloth, and try again.
>
Yeah... I believe mine is a DX series. I wish they still made that
series. I'll try a little bit of emery cloth or something and see if
that helps....

"John Aldrich" <jaldrich@blueridgecarpet.com> wrote in message
news:da78726b-eefc-47f7-8dfb-3e168d58957d@e39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> On Jun 10, 12:43 pm, "Boogie Woogie" <piano@music> wrote:
>>
>> Root Cause of your problem and first word of your Subject are the
>> same....
>>
> I take it then that you are not fond of Kodak Digital cameras? What
> then would you recommend for a similar price level?

Nah, I was just ragging on you.This month's issue of Consumer Reports rates
compact and subcompact digital cameras. Lots of good choices in your price
range.

On Jun 10, 4:08 pm, "Boogie Woogie" <piano@music> wrote:
>
> > I take it then that you are not fond of Kodak Digital cameras? What
> > then would you recommend for a similar price level?
>
> Nah, I was just ragging on you.This month's issue of Consumer Reports rates
> compact and subcompact digital cameras. Lots of good choices in your price
> range.
>
Ahh... Ok. Thanks. If cleaning the contacts doesn't fix it, I'll give
that a shot.

On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:08:50 -0400, Boogie Woogie wrote:

> "John Aldrich" <jaldrich@blueridgecarpet.com> wrote in message
> news:da78726b-eefc-47f7-8dfb-3e168d58957d@e39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
>> On Jun 10, 12:43 pm, "Boogie Woogie" <piano@music> wrote:
>>>
>>> Root Cause of your problem and first word of your Subject are the
>>> same....
>>>
>> I take it then that you are not fond of Kodak Digital cameras? What
>> then would you recommend for a similar price level?
>
> Nah, I was just ragging on you.This month's issue of Consumer Reports
> rates compact and subcompact digital cameras. Lots of good choices in
> your price range.

As long as you take their ratings with a grain or two of salt. I recall
several years back when they marked a car down because it was delivered in
the wrong color. And, typically, I find that they do not even address
specifications I find to be very important - for example, they've gone
through complete discussions of EVF cameras without ever addressing the
resolution of the EVFs!!

Boogie Woogie wrote:
> "John Aldrich" <jaldrich@blueridgecarpet.com> wrote in message
> news:b3d53a64-dada-47b0-8aee-28c73bd8f67e@8g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
>> I've got a problem with a Kodak EasyShare Digital camera that we
>> bought several years ago... when it's on battery power, and you power
>> it up, it immediately asks for the date, extends the lens, then shuts
>> down. I was researching replacement Kodak cameras on NewEgg (I like
>> their user reviews and have had good service on computer stuff with
>> them) and saw several complaints that *brand new* Kodak cameras were
>> having that problem.
>>
>> Can anyone here speak to whether or not this is a problem with Kodak
>> cameras in general, or know how to fix this problem?
>>
>> If this is a problem with Kodak cameras, what do you folks recommend
>> for someone who's reasonably technical (I had a year of photography in
>> college,) but wants something for vacation photos, etc? While it would
>> be nice to continue with SD cards (since I have several) it doesn't
>> really matter, as I have a multi-card reader on my computer, and most
>> cameras have a USB port anyway. I'm not looking to spend more than
>> about $150-200.
>
> Root Cause of your problem and first word of your Subject are the same....
>
>
Nonsense!
I have owned, and used Kodak cameras for almost 60 years, and have found
them to be reliable, and to produce consistently good pictures, at least
for those who know HOW to use them, and aren't blinded by their own bias
about 'brands'.