Startup fault with Optio 550

I recently bought an Optio 550. It is a wonderful camera, and a joy to use.
However after the first recharge the camera refused to function any more.
- It would turn on (LCD lit up) but the lens would not extend.
- Nor could it be turned off (except by removing the battery).
- In review mode it worked fine, and the battery showed as fully charged.

Has anyone else come across this problem?
I sent a message to Pentax via their website, so I'll post any useful response when it comes.

I didn't want to mess about with a repair or replacement (no guarantee the same problem wouldn't recur - maybe outside of warranty), so I got a refund and am without a camera. I only had it for two weeks, and I miss it


I'm consideraing buying the new Optio 555, as there seem to be some genuine improvements (although the best offer I could find was £430 from www.internetcamerasdirect.co.uk, admittedly with a few extras).

I (registered user now) received a fair response from a Pentax representative. It is good that the company has staff to answer such queries, and that problems like those I experienced are uncommon. I feel reassured with the situation (although there were no "adverse conditions" in this case, so I'm none the wiser as to the cause).
Nonetheless, I look forward to getting an Optio 555 in the near future.

Quiddity.

I bought the 555, and 5 hours after getting it out of the box (3 hours of that was charging the battery!!) same thing happened, screen came up, no buttons or lens operation. could only access menu by pressing playback mode.
Rob

Sorry to hear you also had this problem.
It is a very annoying fault: the camera seems fine, but just won't go.

I had bought my 550 from Jessops, so simply returned it for a full refund. I also reported the issue to Pentax and can provide you with an email address if you are interested. I was assured this was not a known issue with the 555.

I suspect it's not a manufacturing fault, as it seems more like a software issue, but then you would think it would always happen.

I was reviewing a photo when the camera shut down. I wonder if low battery power-down was the cause, despite this being specifically described as a feature in the manual.

Did your battery run flat while the camera was in use?

Bought my 555 from Wells Digital in December. When turning the camera off, the lens would not retract. Returned it for another. Same Problem!! E-mail from Pentax denies any knowledge of this problem. I don't believe I could get two cameras with this problem and no one else has. Seems that the lens drive mechanism is the weak spot in this camera. Anyone else experiencing this problem please contact me at [email protected] Thanks

Afternoon all,

I bought an Optio 555 about 3 weeks ago and found the motor very nosiy when the camera was switched off/on and the lens opened/closed. the camera seemed to work ok so i just put this down to the design. Infortunately the camera has now stopped working and the lens is stuck open. The Pentax logo appears then it shuts itself off. I can view taken images in view mode.

I returned my camera to the retailer who to my horror have advised me that they are returning it to Pentax for testing and that i would have to wait for about 3/4 weeks for the result. I can't believe i'm being treated like this especially as there seems to be a fault with some of the 555's. Has anyone else had this experience and does anyone have any contact names/e-mail addresses at Pentax uk.

Many thanks for your help in advance,
Rob.

My first, and now my second Pentax 555 have developed the problem of the lens failing to retract completely when turning off the camera. With others here reporting the problem I think this will turn out to be a very serious problem.

When it fails to retract completely, you can't turn the camera back on, except for playback mode. To fix it, you must force the lens back in, which most definitely doesn't feel (or sound) like the right thing to do more than once or twice in the camera's entire life. Unfortunately, once this problem starts happening, it doesn't seem to go away.

Hi,
I have experienced similar problems with my 555. Someone in our household had switched it off and the lens retracted but the cover remained open. When I tried to switch it on the start screen came on, the camera beeped and shut off. As an experiment I pressed the on button and the review button. The camera came on and I could review the pictures. I also found that pressing the menu button and the on button the software version is displayed.
By pressing various button combinations the camera turned on and the lens extended. When switching it off the lens retracted but not fully, it was about 1 mm proud. I gently pressed the lens surround ( very gently) there was a light click and the lens retracted about 1mm.
!!! I do not recommend that you do this!!!.
When switching the camera on the after this lens extended. Swtiching it off again and it retracted fully but the lens covers was open by about 3 mm. A gently tap on the side of the camera and the cover closed with about 1 mm gap.
I think that there is a mechanical weakness in this area. Ever since new the lens cover seemed reluctant to close. If it happens again it's going back.

Although this a digital thread, what's this news about Ilford in administation.
I hope they can continue producing some of the best quality film arround.