My Panasonic DMC-F27 camera keeps telling me to remove the lens cap and push the right arrow button. It does it even when the lens cap is not on. When I do push the right arrow it will show what I'm aiming at for a second and then the remove the lens cap comes up again.
That error means that the lens is trying to extend and failing, and the camera thinks that the lens is in the way and blocking it.Try wiggling the lens, gently. Also try inserting the edge of a piece of paper into the crack around the lens assembly, where it meets the camera case, and moving it about a bit, then removing it. (The idea is to try to dislodge anything that might be jamming the camera lens mechanism.)Also try removing the batteries, and leaving the camera on a (dry, non-humid, non-dusty) shelf for overnight. Then put the batteries back in and try the camera again.How old is the camera? in months or years since you bought it.Has the camera been dropped or otherwise subjected to mechanical shock(s) in its lifetime?Has the camera been operated in or subjected to, temperatures below 32 degrees F (freezing point) or above about 100 degrees F ? Has it ever been subjected to a humidity higher than 85 % ?Has the camera been operated in a gritty or sandy environment, such as a beach, a seaside, a construction site, or the like?
I can hear the lens trying to move but it can't. Is there anything else I can do besides sliding the paper in the crack around the lens?
Sliding the paper around the lens hasn't worked. Can I do anythingelse myself to fix it?
Probably not. The lens mechanism is fine and delicate - that's why it's so easily corrupted by a chipped gear tooth or dust or grit particles. And the camera also is delicate and difficult to take apart, clean, and reassemble properly with all functions intact and working.How old is the camera? if it is less than a year old, the manufacturer, by warranty conditions, is responsible for getting it fixed (or replacing it, according to the terms of the particular warranty in some cases.)
Panasonic may be contacted, about servicing your camera, athttp://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/RequestCenter?storeId=15001&catalogId=11017using the form at the left side of the page, which is headed with a notice saying:Quickly find your warranty status and repair estimate by providing the information below. You may then decide if you want to initiate the repair request.Good luck... and by the way, a camera that is only 2 years old, if you value it fairly highly, is probably worth some expense in fixing (as opposed to one that is 6-8 years old and likely to break in some other fashion shortly after being fixed.)