Help with DigiCam Problem?

Hello,

My church has been using a Kodak LS443 Review
for about 2 (maybe 3) years till one day,
It just stopped! Ok, quick over view it's acting like
the CCD died.

Camera is fully functional in all play back modes
(Viewing old Pictures from card (and internal RAM))
but when you record/save iether a picture or a movie,
It's black! and so is the view-finder. It is taking a
picture (you can save it, delete it, download it,
If it's a movie you can listen to it) it's just ALL black.

I've tried changing every setting I could think of,
Cleared the memory card, run it without the memory card,
Taken out the battery and gone through Kodaks on-line diagnostic.

Like I said it's acting like the CCD chip just died but
I can't find any thing through a Google search that say they can do that.

Any help would be great! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

If the LCD screen is always black, it could be a dead CCD. If the LCD screen looks okay when you use it as a viewfinder, then I guess the CCD must be okay too.

This is sounding like a dead CCD to me. It could also be a dead A/D stage. Either way, it looks like the imaging section is kaput. You could open it up and look for things like cold solder joints, but you might consider this as an opportunity to upgrade to another camera. Just stay away from CMOS sensors... they're really inexpensive but they're more prone to failures than CCDs, IMO.

The LCD screen is fine, It shows the "view finder square",
Menu system and old pictures from the card fine.

I guess that answers my question if they can die,
I thought that was what it was from the start but
couldn't find anything about that happening.

If the CCD is dead, Can anyone guess what this could cost?
Or is more likly a lose connect somewhere?

Thanks

would be cheaper to replace the camera

I think I'd check with Kodak as to the possible cost of repairs. And don't forget to mention that you have been asking around on the web. Maybe they'll figure some good service will get them some good comments.

Geoff

Thanks guys!

If we replace it what would be a good choice now?
(3 MP, Easy to use, Capture motion/sports shots well, perferable SD card)

i bet ya can get a 3 megapxel cheap as hect now...

Oops I meant 4MP and I guess cheap is a personal thing,
Looks like about $150-200 Probably not worth trying to fix the old one.
but is Kodak a good company or should I look somewhere else?

The CX7430 looks like the replacement for the LS443 anyone
used that camera?

Thanks guys

Definitely if you have the easy share dock then I would buy another Kodak but if starting new, I think you'll get better picture quality from perhaps a Canon, Sony, Nikon or Olympus. This is all subjective of course but the reviews I read generally tend to think this way. From personal experience, I got my father the 3 megpixel CX6330 and the picture quality is lacking compared to other 3 meg cameras I have used and seen. Maybe the higher level Kodaks are better.

I personally have never liked kodaks but there are 2 models that they make now that really impress me. The image quality is better and the quality of the camera is a LOT better than previous Kodaks.

Here is one of the 2 models that I am very impressed with. I've used it personally and it is well worth!

http://www2.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=dealtime&sku=KDDX7440

Now I'm wondering how the LCD viewfinder works. I assumed the picture you see on the LCD was generated by the CCD. So where does the picture come from that you see on the LCD if not from the CCD?

I'm not talking about viewing pictures that have already been taken and are stored on flash, and I'm not talking about viewing menus. I mean the view that you are about to take a picture of.

There is no picture (it's black) except for the
view-finder square made but the camera.

There is never a "live" picture on the screen.

Thanks again guys! anymore advice is welcome.

One more thing, Looks like Kodak redigned the EASYSHARE Dock,
Anyone know if something like the CX7430 would work with
the LS443 dock?

Got taken to a local repair shop,
Looks like it was a bad shutter.

$20 for the part and $95 for labor! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/faint.gif

Back breaking labor, no doubt. Installing all those heavy parts. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Actually I'm glad you found the problem. I kept getting the urge to ask if you tried removing the lens cap, but I decided that was a bad idea. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

LOL!

It sure seems anymore that repair cost for just about anything follows the formula- cost of replacement divided by three equals your charge.

Geoff

We should have guessed that might have been the problem. Duh!