loose screw/ rattle

[denisb]

I feel the need to bring up this topic since I read about it. I had a rattle in my G1, until one day my lens refused to retract back in.
Curiously , the rattle was gone at that point. I made the connection between the 2 events and decide to remove the front case. I was surprised to see an opening at the base of the lens assembly and the source of the rattle was nowhere to be found.
I started playing with the lens body by trying to gently pull it in and out. The lens moved out a tiny bit with a sound like it does when it comes out on its own... guest what fell out of it! The same little screw that has been mentionned in earlier posts! Now everything works good but I am really concerned because it seems that Canon should do a recall for all G1 owner who have this problem. It seems abnormal that this screw is not staying where it was intended to. This is poor quality testing from a company with an otherwise good product line (in the 35mm realm anyway!).
Anybody else with similar problems or comments ? With the small 1 year warranty expired for most of us, we need enough complaints to get Canon to deal with this serious problem.

[pmarcano]

I appear to have a rattle within my lens as well that occassionally stops the Camera Lens from retracting or coming out... When you took the front cover off, I guess your warranty was up because that seems a little radical... does the camera continue to work without this screw... when did it happen and approximately how any pictures have you been able to shoot since? Any focusing problems - I am just about to send mine in for repair.

Thanks

[pmarcano]

One other question... were you using a Lensmate extention tube?

[denisb]

I wasn't using the lensmate and yes, the camera works well and doesn't seem to miss the loose screw. I must have taken over 400 pictures since and the focus is as good as before. I don't see any reason why the lensmate would affect the lens and cause your problem. It definitely appears to be a manufacturing/design defect. If your warranty is up( as I suspect), you can attempt the same procedure that I did. It is quite easy and you won't get parts falling all over the place! First, measure the amount of lens extending out of the body. From the removable ring to the end of the lens the distance when fully extended is 24 mm exactly.I suspect your lens is not out all the way. Get a proper "phillips" screwdriver that has a good fit on the case's screws. Remove the battery, then remove the 5 screws that hold the front casing. Gently pull the faceplate away from the body. Now, while holding the lensbody with the camera in the normal shooting position (upright) , try to move it out by pulling on it (gently!!). If it doesn't move try pushing it in. This back and forth movement released my loose screw and it fell out thru the small opening under the lens assembly. If unsuccessful, reinstall the cover and your'e back to plan one. Good luck!
Denis Berger