DIY: Fixed my poor focusing camera!

I hope this isn't premature, but I believe I was able to fix the focus problems on my Passport camera!
I've had the issue since I received this RMA unit from BlackBerry back in April, where the camera couldn't focus and I was literally rigorously tapping the rear camera with my finger to get it to focus. It worked intermittently but I got tired of doing that every time I wanted to take a picture.

I thought about changing the camera module itself and found some on ebay for $50 usd, but I thought I'd open up the phone and check if there were any loose connections.

Finally, this morning I opened it up and took off and put the camera module back on. I tried using the camera while all of the back housing was off and I could hear it moving and trying to focus to take a picture. It definitely moves a lot trying to focus, which is good. The mechanism was working.
I put the back cover on without putting the screws in and the camera seemed to be focusing fine. Great!

Then I put in all the screws tightly then tried the camera again. Same problem as before. Damn thing couldn't focus!!

I think the back cover was too tightly screwed on preventing the camera lens from actually moving to focus. I slightly loosened the 3 screws around the camera and lo and behold it's focusing again!!

So, long story short, if you've got a Torx-4 screwdriver and having camera focusing issues try loosening the 3 screws around the back cover of the camera and see if that helps. You just need to pop off the sim/sd card cover to see the 2 silver screws and 1 black stickered screw.

This may or may not work for you but if it does, then it's a really quick and easy fix! Good luck!!

Posted via CB10

Great job, yeah if you were to remove the cover and open the camera app, it goes crazy trying to focus and makes vibration sounds.

Originally Posted by mofoahh

Great job, yeah if you were to remove the cover and open the camera app, it goes crazy trying to focus and makes vibration sounds.

Forget to add, I removed the torx to the right of the camera module. So I would have three torx screwed in instead of the four.

Originally Posted by mofoahh

Great job, yeah if you were to remove the cover and open the camera app, it goes crazy trying to focus and makes vibration sounds.

Yep, it does make a crazy sound. That's how I knew my camera actually worked. Lol. So you tried this too? And you've had no issues with it since the fix? I'm pretty happy I was able to save myself $50usd and got my passport working as it should!

Posted via CB10

So far so good, but I hardly take pictures. I guess when it's too tight it restricts the focusing.

I am currently having the issue of my camera not focuing as well, but this is one year into my passport camera working perfectly.

Is it possible the solution will work? I can hear and feel the autofocus motor going wild as well...

Just wondering since I don't want to buy a torx, would be nice to know if this happened to someone down the road after buying their device

Posted via BlackBerry Passport

I've got the same problem but my camera worked well for a year.
Where can I get this tool?

Posted via CB10

You can find a precision Torx screwdriver set online or your local hardware store. They'll range from $2-$15 usd or so.

Not sure if your situation varies since your camera used to work, but it's worth a shot.

Posted via CB10

You can try it, like maxpower said, its only a few bucks to buy a set of these torx screwdriver set. If not it is possible that your lens is failing.

Originally Posted by mofoahh

You can try it, like maxpower said, its only a few bucks to buy a set of these torx screwdriver set. If not it is possible that your lens is failing.

I have this issue as well, I did purchase the t4 screwdriver and bought a replacement camera for my Blackberry Passport sqw100-1 but unfortunately after restarting with the new part I got a message when I opened the camera app that said “Camera Cannot Open”. Any help guys? BTW I did try loosening the screws as stated above but no go for me.

Originally Posted by anon(580947)

I hope this isn't premature, but I believe I was able to fix the focus problems on my Passport camera!
I've had the issue since I received this RMA unit from BlackBerry back in April, where the camera couldn't focus and I was literally rigorously tapping the rear camera with my finger to get it to focus. It worked intermittently but I got tired of doing that every time I wanted to take a picture.

I thought about changing the camera module itself and found some on ebay for $50 usd, but I thought I'd open up the phone and check if there were any loose connections.

Finally, this morning I opened it up and took off and put the camera module back on. I tried using the camera while all of the back housing was off and I could hear it moving and trying to focus to take a picture. It definitely moves a lot trying to focus, which is good. The mechanism was working.
I put the back cover on without putting the screws in and the camera seemed to be focusing fine. Great!

Then I put in all the screws tightly then tried the camera again. Same problem as before. Damn thing couldn't focus!!

I think the back cover was too tightly screwed on preventing the camera lens from actually moving to focus. I slightly loosened the 3 screws around the camera and lo and behold it's focusing again!!

So, long story short, if you've got a Torx-4 screwdriver and having camera focusing issues try loosening the 3 screws around the back cover of the camera and see if that helps. You just need to pop off the sim/sd card cover to see the 2 silver screws and 1 black stickered screw.

This may or may not work for you but if it does, then it's a really quick and easy fix! Good luck!!

Posted via CB10

Supa-staaaaah! Thanks for sharing that! :)

Posted via CB10