Newbie...and need little help...

Vannah · Nov 7, 2012

Hi I'm savannah,
I'm new.. obviously lol I've been into photography for about four years now and i absolutely love it!!! I like black and white, nature and a bunch of other types of photography. I am always caring my camera with me...who sadly just died...i think...

I take pictures all the time any time i can. I'm taking a photography class this year through my school and i am enjoy it very much. Will be sad when its done.
I do need some help though. So like i mentioned earlier .i think my camera died..i don't know for sure because it is acting very strange...very strange indeed. Two days ago it was working fine and dandy, then went to take picture yesterday for an assignment and it said low battery...ok so I plug into my computer to let it charge...well my computer didn't register it as being plugged in and wouldn't charge it...thought it was my USB ports but it wasn't. Well my camera is acting up....sometimes it won't turn on when i push the on/off, it goes back and forth on saying its charging and saying the batteries dead...even though its been plugged in and "charging", it goes back and forth on turning on but i can't select my menu options (i have an Olympus stylus if that helps), it wont let me view my photos on the camera...or on PC when hooked up. also it wont turn off if it happens to turn on....sooo i don't know whats wrong with it....
I don't have warranty..i bought it online through Walmart...and i can't find receipt... grr it ran away...
I guess im wondering if this is more of a "software" issue or if its cause i dropped it once...THREE months ago on tile;(it worked fine after wards so idk why its freaking out now...) or if this would be a cheap repair to send in...or if i could find a warranty i could buy cheap and then send it in...or somewhere i can take it to get fixed....Any ideas on what the problem is or how i can go about fixing it??? i cant afford to buy another camera...especially the one i want... im sooo sad my camera died...

but itss nice to jion and look forward to meeting ya'll.

jwbryson1 · Nov 7, 2012

Big Mike · Nov 7, 2012

Welcome aboard Savannah.

I think I got through most of that, but it's hard to tell. Don't be afraid to space your posts out into several paragraphs, so that they are easier to read.

Unfortunately, many of today's "cheap" electronics aren't made to last. Most people I know, had a 35mm film point & shoot camera that lasted them for years and years....and now, most people I know have had a point & shoot digital camera die on them, and thus most of them have owned more than one.

Part of the problem is that the technology moves pretty fast, so that the value of these cameras drop fairly fast. It could probably be repaired, but it would probably cost less to just buy an similar new camera.

Since you seem to be showing such an interest in photography. You might want to consider a Digital SLR camera. This type of camera will allow you much more control over the settings, which will allow you to really explore what you can do with photography.

Even a used DSLR would be a better learning tool than a new 'point & shoot' type digital camera.

Designer · Nov 7, 2012

Hi, Vannah.

Sorry about your camera. The problem is common to point & shoot cameras that have been dropped. The gear mechanism that moves the lens in and out is stripped, so you probably need to think about getting a new camera.

MLeeK · Nov 7, 2012

If you purchased on line you should have record of the purchase through your credit card for warranty purposes-IF it is still within the warranty period.

Vannah · Nov 7, 2012

Thanks. Sorry i'll try to space them better for you I apoligize. I want to get a Canon Rebel but that will be a while till I can afford it. Thanks guys..thought I'd ask an opinion just in case. Thanks.