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Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?

Started Jan 30, 2021 | Discussions
smithaa02 Regular Member • Posts: 252
Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?

This used to work...but now when I try to zoom in nothing happens.  There is a bit of resistance, but I am able to push the zoom dial all the way to the right.  Nothing happens.

Any ideas on fixes?

(unknown member) Veteran Member • Posts: 3,467
Re: Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?
1

smithaa02 wrote:

This used to work...but now when I try to zoom in nothing happens. There is a bit of resistance, but I am able to push the zoom dial all the way to the right. Nothing happens.

Any ideas on fixes?

Sounds severe smithaa02.

Sure you tried removal and replacing the battery.

Try the zoom knob left-right-left-right very fast.

Factory reset ?

If still in warranty...send it out for repair.

If not...

Try a serious tap on the tableĀ 

No good ? Probably a broken zoom motor or bad contact.

Success,

eMBie

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Enders Shadow
Enders Shadow Veteran Member • Posts: 3,604
Re: Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?
1

If I understand correctly, the zoom switch is hard to move. Is it jammed up with dirt or sand? First thing would try to clean out whatever is binding up the switch. Great thing about a waterproof camera, you try to rinse it out under running water. This sounds more mechanical than electrical.

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Phil

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OP smithaa02 Regular Member • Posts: 252
Re: Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?

embie wrote:

smithaa02 wrote:

This used to work...but now when I try to zoom in nothing happens. There is a bit of resistance, but I am able to push the zoom dial all the way to the right. Nothing happens.

Any ideas on fixes?

Sounds severe smithaa02.

Sure you tried removal and replacing the battery.

Try the zoom knob left-right-left-right very fast.

Factory reset ?

If still in warranty...send it out for repair.

If not...

Try a serious tap on the table

No good ? Probably a broken zoom motor or bad contact.

Success,

eMBie

I don't think the problem is with the software...I've tried much of what you described to no luck.  Prior to this completely breaking, it partially didn't work.  Sometimes I could zoom in...I could always zoom out with no issues.  When I tried to zoom in there was some resistance and I had to press really really hard to engage the zoom in motor.

My lead theory is I got some dirt under the zoom dial that interferes with zoom in operation.  My second theory is something wore out internally.

I would love to pop off the top dial to take a look around...does anybody know if that is safe to do on TG's?

(unknown member) Veteran Member • Posts: 3,467
Re: Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?
1

smithaa02 wrote:

embie wrote:

smithaa02 wrote:

This used to work...but now when I try to zoom in nothing happens. There is a bit of resistance, but I am able to push the zoom dial all the way to the right. Nothing happens.

Any ideas on fixes?

Sounds severe smithaa02.

Sure you tried removal and replacing the battery.

Try the zoom knob left-right-left-right very fast.

Factory reset ?

If still in warranty...send it out for repair.

If not...

Try a serious tap on the table

No good ? Probably a broken zoom motor or bad contact.

Success,

eMBie

I don't think the problem is with the software...I've tried much of what you described to no luck. Prior to this completely breaking, it partially didn't work. Sometimes I could zoom in...I could always zoom out with no issues. When I tried to zoom in there was some resistance and I had to press really really hard to engage the zoom in motor.

My lead theory is I got some dirt under the zoom dial that interferes with zoom in operation. My second theory is something wore out internally.

I would love to pop off the top dial to take a look around...does anybody know if that is safe to do on TG's?

Maybe this can help ? It's from a TG4 but it looks like there is the same shutter/zoom knob on it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBBMN4x565k&ab_channel=ProduccionesMontana

eMBie

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"Travel is fatal...for prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness" (Mark Twain) - "The world...is our home" (eMBie)
You can edit and repost my pictures until you drop but they will still be mine Please respect my copyright

OP smithaa02 Regular Member • Posts: 252
Re: Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?
3

Thanks to everybody that responded to this thread.  Note, I never did fix the zoom in button, but I did find a somewhat hacky solution that I'll share in case any wayward googlers find this thread and have the same problem.

Basically, you can trick the TG-6 to zoom in without actually pressing the zoom in switch.  Go to the quick menu and under accessories select the TCON-T01.  Then save this to C1 (or C2).  Menu > Reset/Assign Custom Modes > Custom Mode C1 > right arrow > press ok to set.

Then you're set...you can shoot zoomed out for the normal modes...but when you want to zoom in, switch to C1 and lightly tap the shutter button and the camera will auto zoom in.  The nice thing about this is you can still use other accessories (like the FD-1 and max zoom).  As long as as say the FD-1 is the default accessory, you can zoom in with this by going to C1 and simply returning to your preferred mode (say microscope mode).   Max zoom will be retained, yet the accessory will still be accepted.  To me this is important because IMO 90% of macro looks best with max zoom.

SandyKHo Senior Member • Posts: 2,532
Re: Zoom broken on the TG-6...any suggestions on fixes?
1

I’ve just experienced the same thing with my TG six, and I found a YouTube video where the person solved the issue by using a Water Pik and irrigating underneath the zoom button, followed by using dental satan floss, and flossing under the zoom lever.   That worked for me!.

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