My first camera, my Nikon Coolpix 3700 died a few months back after a friend shoved it into his pocket with the lens open, and the lens would not open, so I put it aside for awhile...until yesterday.

I was bored, and while looking for an allen wrench in a drawer, I saw it. I had nothing better to do, so I took it apart thinking I could give it a new body, maybe save it.

Luckly, what I thought was a a much more serious issue, was actully quite a simple fix. The lens is telescoping, and shoots out of the camera when it is turned on. I figured the gears that would open the lens where stripped, just guessing from the ghastly noise it makes.

After open the case, and ripping the pointless viewfinder out (Which I am saving for other random projects.) I saw all the gears working fine, just one bobbing a bit when I turned it out. Then, I noticed the axel that one gear should be on, popped out a bit. It was still on a bit, which explains the bobbing. I jiggled the axel back in, turned it out, and it lit up like it was fresh out of the box.

Nothing better then knowing you didn't loose 200 dollars with the camera. Just thought I'd share that with you, I was really proud of my self.

Have a good holiday everyone.