Bought a 5 dollar digital camera from goodwill.

Its always a tossup to do that. Chances are there is something seriously wrong with it. Even likely that it is dead dead dead, and cannot be fixed.

But sometimes you get a gem.


This time, it was a gem that needs to be fixed.

It's a canon powershot a570. (I also have an a520. I like that camera, but wished for better quality from the pics, so decided to take a chance on this one.)(I used the 520 to take this pic of the 570. LOL)



Two obvious problems with it. (If there are other problems with it, I haven't discovered them yet.)

1. Even with brand new batteries, it would quickly tell you to replace the batteries. Maybe two or three pics, and you were done. Use the flash, and only one pic.

2. Every time you turn it on, you have to ether set the time/date... Or bypass that to take some pics.


I researched.

For the first problem... I found out that the problem might be that the contacts in the battery door, do not make good enough contact with the batteries.

I opened the battery door. I cut two small pieces of rubber band. And using tweezers and a dental tool, I worked those pieces of rubber band under the contacts. Where the two top red arrows are.


Now the contacts make good solid connections, and I have yet to get the message that I need to replace the batteries.


For the second problem...

I discovered that this camera has a separate battery for the memory.

On the 520, it is an internal, rechargeable battery. (Note: the 520 has the same problem. But I haven't opened the camera body yet to see if I can somehow replace that internal memory battery.)

On this one, it is a replaceable button battery. Located at the lower red arrow.

A CR 1220. And I'll replace that when I remember to get one, while I am in town.


~~~


Behind the camera you can see the drill bits, tap, and screws that I will be using sometime in the next few days, to install my DIY fresh air intake on the woodstove I am installing.

I have been waiting until I have that finished, to show any more of the progress.

Yeah, it's taking me a while. But I am retireded. It doesn't have to be finished in any kind of schedule. And so I take my time and do things my own way. You don't like it, you can bite me.

Wait a minnit.... isn't this a DIY post?

Yeah... no help from the lookie loos here, you have to bite yourself.

I bought a used SD card off ebay and there was some child porn on it. Gave it to the cops, along with the sellers name and shipping label. Never heard anything back. Swore I'd never buy another used card or camera again.

The battery is just wore out, and won't hold a charge. Go to Amazon, and get a replacement or two. I had the same problem with my Fuji.

Don't buy a digital camera from a thrift store. Why do you think it was donated?

Goodwill will give you a store credit if the camera does not work. I have bought 5 of these Powershots that use AA batteries from Goodwill. Only had one not work and I used the store credit on a flannel shirt.