Ok ,I am putting this here before I go and seek professional advice in the hope someone can help. My digital camera has stopped focusing. It did, a couple of weeks ago, do a loopy and try to delete everything by itself. Unless I did something to it ;) I now can't take pictures with any clarity. Anybody got any ideas as to what I can do? I've tried resetting it, but don't think I've done it right.

It's probably impossible for anyone to help without seeing it but my first thought was it may be a software problem rather than a hardware fault - or at least thats what you's hope for. Is it by any chance on macro setting or similar? What sort of camera is it? If you take the batteries out do all the settings return to default ones?

Hi. is it an auto focus camera?? My hubby used to be a pro photographer...if you can supply details of camera he will try to help! all the best Dawn

It's an I.T. Works 3045 digital. You can change the batteries and the settings stay as they were before the batteries were taken out. It was working great, then I was out taking photos of the dogs (what else ;) ) and the camera 'crashed'. I got it home and it was working ok, but wouldn't focus on anything after that.

Edited to add: I usually use it on the auto focus, as I'm useless on the manual. But it isn't focusing on either. It can also take video pictures, and I could use it as an internet camera thingy. You can tell I know nothing about cameras, can't you? :)

Derek says it's knackered!! Either loss of power, or the CCD or the focus thing gone(don't ask me, I'm as technical as you!!!) probably not worth repairing?? Sorry couldn't help any further! All the best, Dawn X

Hi
It may be worth contacting the manufacturer I had this problem or a similar one with my Pentax recently. I contacted Pentax and now they are repairing it for free! it is linked to a manufacturing fault and my camera is now over 3years old and out of the warranty but they are fixing it for me
good luck.

Bother. I've only had it a couple of months. Mind you, I did buy it off ebay, even though it was still sealed in it's wrapper. Oh well, that'll teach me. I had been looking at an Olympus but the shop was sold out when I went back ;) Think I might just go and see what they have in store just now...

Linda,

If/when you look for a replacement, I've had it on good authority (Ok, Michael Trafford!) that you can rarely go wrong with a Canon.  That little one of my sister's I use is an Ixus and it has taken some pretty good shots & video!

Think I might have to wait until xmas/birthday, and have a nice quiet word with kids :D I am so annoyed with myself for not waiting and getting the one I first saw. Oh well. Cameras and me just don't mix. The first Digital I had was good, but I spilt coffee on it. It's never worked since. Ordinary film cameras tend to break the films in the camera, which is why I tended to use the disposable ones. ;)

Something to consider is a waterproof compact digital. Even if you never take it underwater they are a bit more robust when it comes to dust and dirt. You can rinse them off even. I used to use my underwater 35mm on land a lot when there was a chance of dirt flying around.

Of course my dog managed to shake sand and salt water all over my brand new digital SLR on Sunday. Such a good boy...

PS - a little trick if you do something like drop your camera in water and there's no other hope. Immerse it in 100% ethanol. The alcohol will displace the water and dry quickly.

If you're looking at a replacement, I don't think you can go wrong with a Sony, the Carl Zeiss lens is wonderful, you really can't beat it.