I had this same camera problem over a month ago.
http://forums.crackberry.com/blackbe...-error-730615/
I first want to give props to CrackBerry for giving us a forum to find answer to problems like this, then to F1 who first made the prior suggestion in the above thread, and last to RIM Customer Service who went way above expectations.
Both front and back camera was working when I first got the PB (used on ebay) in June and until mid-Sept, the cameras was working fine. Then out of the blue, I got the black camera screen and "error.4003.picture" box when I try to click a shot from the blank screen.
Back then, I was on Beta 2.1.0.560 when it first came out and did not go to beta 0.840 because the user reviews have been mixed. As I no problems with Beta .560 prior for a month, I surmised my problem was not the OS.
I had tried multiple 3-button reboots and testing the Android-Camera via Ghost Commander. No go.
I did not try the Security Wipe as prior forum comments suggested that would work.
Since my PB was used, I thought warranty was out of the question.
On a whim, I took F1's suggestion and contacted RIM's Customer Service directly by phone (US).
I had nothing to lose and maybe hoped that if they couldnt help, then at least point me to an alternative option.
Some things to note. Patience and kindness goes a long way to grease the wheels here. This one phone call took over an hour. Over that time, I made sure my conversation was pleasant and if they imagined hearing my voice they could surmise I was actually smiling while talking to them.
I patiently explained and re-explained my problem and what fix-it attempts I had already did to the first Customer Rep until she was convinced that the problem needed to be escalated up to Tech Support. Then I was asked to repeat to Tech Support what I had already told the first rep. Despite already trying the same various methods to reset the camera before calling, I followed every instruction Tech Support wanted me to do to without complaint. Again, I did it all with a "smile" so to speak.
Finally, Tech Support surmised that the problem was hardware and the PB needed to be fixed. I told them I do not believe I was under warranty but they said since that my PB was not previously registered under warranty, that my PB warranty had not expired and the replacement cost was free.
I dont want to unfairly take advantage of my situation, so I re-iterated that I was not the original owner and the item was used on ebay. But despite that, they replaced my PB with another. A replacement PB in a FEDEX package arrived two days later and all at no cost to me (other than time to reinstalling apps, the Desktop Backup did not work).
I had no reason to expect my problem to be resolved this quickly and positively. Maybe because of RIM's current struggles that I may have benefited from RIM realizing that the replacement cost for a little more goodwill goes a long way. So if that is true, then maybe my post is small reward for their goodwill.