Rating: Summary: Battery issues with LS443 Review: My husband gave me my camera in March 2003. In that time I've taken some wonderful pictures, including spectacular close-ups of flowers and insects with the close-up feature. I've got two extra memory cards and can hold more pictures that my battery can handle. I stopped using the Easy Share software when all my computers started running XP and I can connect the camera directly to it. And in low-light situations, it does a pretty decent job. For long-distance (high zoom) photos, I recommend a tri-pod and the delay-snap feature.Like others, I had the problem with the lense not coming out and sounding like stripped gears, but as it was still in warranty, Kodak fixed it without question and I had it back within a couple of weeks of shipping it to them. One major issue that I have is that I'm on the second battery. While they last for many shots and recharge nicely, they sometimes stop recharging after a few months. The first battery lasted a whole year. The second lasted only three months. Not good to have happen on a trip to the mountains! I don't know if it's because of connecting the battery directly to the wall instead of through the docking station, or just a failing battery. Moral: have a second battery on hand. Amazon sells them cheap. Overall, it has been a good buy for us, though, and I rarely go anywhere without it.
Rating: Summary: I recommend it. Review: With this camera you can: -Print so good images, depending of your printer, paper and printer settings. -Take excellent closeUps without search for professional results. -Capture video to get fun. Also you don't care about the battery with the camera dock. The one-press/one-click function it's easy to save the pictures in the computer. If you don't want to pay too much money, this is the choice.
Rating: Summary: Great Camera Review: Picture quality is excellent. The camera's features are very intuitive and easy to handle. An excellent purchase for someone who is not a professional, but likes to take good pictures.
Rating: Summary: I hate "E45"... BUYERS BEWARE Review: Yet another "E45" victim.. I gave this camera 2 stars, only because it did serve me well for about 2 years, then about a month ago, if the lighting was not as bright as the sun, I would end up with pictures of a black screen. Then after not using it for a couple of days, I turned it on, the lens made wouldn't extend and it made a strange clicking noise like it was trying to come out, then it would stop and show the dreaded "E45" error message. I couldn't find my user's manual, so I typed E45 into a search field and to my amazement, came up with a lot of consumer review web pages & found out that apparently I am just one out of A LOT of people who have had the exact same problem! I don't understand why such a reputable company like Kodak would just ignore this problem & try to make us pay $150 or so, to fix a problem that is not the consumers fault. I am done with Kodak.
Rating: Summary: Another Dissatisfied E45 Kodak Customer Review: I too just received the E45 message on my camera and have been told to send in for expensive repair. This camera was treated very well. I believe that camera when inserted into carrying case causes switch to turn on causing the gear damage. I believe carrying case is too tight. Would highly recommend buying from organization that will stand behind its products.
Rating: Summary: Avoid at any cost Review: These cameras start out life ok- good, actually- But then the dark side comes out, and that is the horrible lens drive system. The gears go bad, and repair is only temporary, even by Kodak. I repair these products for a major service company, and the design is just plain bad. Don't think you can get a cheap one on ebay, either, to fix yours- They all have the same problems. Toss it and buy something else.
Rating: Summary: Camera Is A Lemon! I'll NEVER buy another Kodak Product! Review: Do not buy this camera, used or new!! Camera broke after 15 months of normal use - called Kodak, they offered either a free repair or I could pay $125 to be uprgaded to LS 743 (retails at $260, but can be purchased on sale for around $200). I paid about $330 for the LS 443 in July 2003! The whole deal sounded fishy since the camera was past its 12 month warranty, so I did a little digging and find out that there are many other camera owners having the same problem with the LS 443. I call back to Kodak and ask about the free repair and I come to find out that they will only provide a 30 day warranty - I also point out the cost difference between what I paid for the LS 443 and what you can buy the LS 743 at and ask why should I pay $125 to be "upgraded" to a lesser priced camera and I get an answer of "Well your camera is used"!! Bottom line is: Kodak will not stand behind there products - period! Both Kodak and their customer service should be ashamed how this situation regarding this defective camera was/is handled. I'll never buy another Kodak product - they could have offered the camera upgrade for free but they chose to take the low road. Also, would have rated the camera "0" stars but system would not allow it!
Rating: Summary: After 12 months, #E45 message- somehow started working again Review: Similar to the other 50 people, my camera flashed the Error #E45 message after about 12 months of use. Being impatient, I tried turning the camera on and off a few times but nothing. I came back a few days later and gently pressed on the bottom of the extended lense as I turned the camera on, and somehow the camera started working again. Wouldn't recommend doing this if you still have the warranty, but if all hope is lost, give it a try.
Rating: Summary: It is a great camera, BUT Review: It died within 18 months of purchase. The only repair option was to return it to KODAK at my expense with the return charge of $50. And a repair price of minimum of $150. It is pretty crummy that the camera did not last more than 18 months. There should be at least a 3 year warranty. And, the camera was not treated roughly.
Rating: Summary: Discontinued For A Reason!! Review: Now don't get me wrong - this camera takes very high quality pictures and I think Kodak did a good job making the funtions on this camera very intuitive. However, this camera broke 2 months after I bought it and I had to have the entire lens mechanism replaced - had to do without it on a BIG vacation because you have to mail it in for repairs (3 weeks). 14 months later guess what? SAME MALFUNCTION. Kodak admits there is a problem with this camera and is offering to repair it again for free (but I still have to do without it again - now for Christmas!) OR they will gladly let me pay them $125 and they will send me the LS743, which is a lesser quality camera!!! Bottom line - I have not been at all impressed with customer care or Kodak's motivation to make equitable amends for their craftsmanship on this camera. But if I had never had a mechanical problem with this camera I would be quite pleased with the picture quality and ease of use. Next time however, I'm going to spend the extra money and get a Canon. Oh, and a friend of mine had a similar problem with his HP camera and they UPGRADED him to a new, better camera FOR FREE on the second repair. Food for thought, Kodak....
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