G15 Scratches it's lens like other G Series ???

Do some of the G15 lenses suffer the old lens self scratch by it's protecting shutter blades as did many other "D" series models? I purchased new a G11 several years ago just to have it scratch it's lens. Of course, I returned it during the sellers return period. Before that experience, I purchased a used G10. I chose a used one trying to bypass the lens scratch problem since it had "so called" proved itself not to ruin it's lens. Later I sold this great camera to a friend and got it back a few days ago after he had used it for several months. Sure enough, it now has a deep vertical scratch on the center of the lens. Since it is already ruined, I experimented with the clearance between the lens and the shutter blades. It is almost microscopic. I am in the process of finding a repair shop. The continuing problem from what I hear is that Canon only replaces the lens once. When the new stuff does the same thing as the old. they refuse to fix it again. Naturally, I have not been there to note the conditions that Canon found. I now have a new G15 and do not want to experience this again. Any advice would be appreciated. It is a shame to have to be worried that my new camera will self destruct at any moment. I have an old Samsung S850 that comes close in image quality to the G15, but not quite. It has no scratches on the lens and neither did my other S850. Hopefully, the G15 has a re engineered lens assembly. Thanks to all that give me advice.

Hi there. The answer for your question is yes and no.

It definitely does not sratch itself without any reason. The clearance remains pretty small, I´d ges under one milimeter, but it can never touch the front lens glass. Only way to get it scratchet is that you have it in pocket, and YOU push those blade against glass. No other ways.

But still, it´s sad, that they didn´t solve this, to help it be really study cam as marketed. This aspect actually turns it into fragile one. Silly! Only thing you can do is buy/make some cover, sturdy and hard around lens, to cover it safely.

Thanks for your reply even though it is discouraging.

I had 2 G series cams and had no problems. I now have the Nikon P7800 which has a lens cap, you might want to look into it as it's a nice machine.

Thanks

I was wondering how my scratches got there. The first purchase I have always made when buying a new camera (since the 190s) is a clear filter to protect the lens. I am rough on cameras. I actually thought that the lens cover would protect mine...it is very disappointing. I carry the G15 everywhere and often throw it in my pocket. I think it's out of warranty and I will have to pay for a new lens.

filibuster wrote:

Could it be that with its very small clearance, if a gritty particulate gets on the lens, when the blades close on shutdown the problem then ensues? Thus it is not the cover but what lies between.

It is possible, but while that cover blades are very, VERY weak and soft, easy to flex, and the clearance is less than 1mm, you can all kinds of scratching experience you imagine.

Thats a common Canon failure also in other series.

I had the same problem with a SX260 and SX240.

In the first case Canon discovered poor construction did a replacement of the lens unit under warranty - in the second case (SX 240) they pretended that two sandcorns had been found in the camera interior and they sent the camera back in parts with the screws in a seperate bag. They mentioned that very soon the lens won't extend anymore and the deep scratch on the frontlens was a result of bad care.

If that means that Canon cameras are not allowed to go to a beach even if they never touch sandy hands, or ground, I recommend to consider your next holidays in the mountains or in the backyard.

Forget going to the seaside - or simply forget Canon.

p.s.

the SX 240 is still working - more than one year and thousands of shots later.