Oops! Dropped my 50mm...

[Illegally_Alive]

I was changing my lenses and the unthinkable happens:
I hear a thud and my 50mm 1.8 falls 3-4 feet and lands bad side down on a hard wood floor. Very hard wood. Let the magic begin!
What once was one is now two!
http://illegallyalive.com/50mm1.jpg

I studied the pieces for a while and realized that I just may be able to put it back together.
http://illegallyalive.com/50mm2.jpg

I put the front element back in and pressed *click* Presto change-o! Two become one!
http://illegallyalive.com/50mm3.jpg

I set the lens to MF turned the ring... it turns smooth! Next I shook it and heard a little rattle. Damn. Well, you can't win them all.

I placed the lens back on the camera body, set the focus to AF placed my finger over the shutter button and held my breath... half press... and success! It focuses smoothly and quickly. The aperture works too!

http://illegallyalive.com/50mm4.jpg

So, if you drop your 50mm all hope is not lost!

-Ben

[kb244]

Well if it was a zoom lens you'd have worse luck, but being a prime glass with a focusing element, the worse you could do besides cracking the optics, is breaking the focus ring, aperture and such. Though its nice to know the 50mm f/1.8 I have would be salvagible, I doubt I could say the same if my Canon 28-135 USM IS , or the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 Macro hit the ground in the same manner yours did.

[Conk]

The one reason why most Canon users like the Mk1. Glad to hear you got lucky.

[Belmondo]

I believe that is how Canon services those lenses.....throwing them on the floor.

Kidding, of course.

You were fortunate. Evidently the shock only disassembled the lens and didn't really break anything. This is the opposite of when I dropped my 100-400L. It looked perfect, but would no longer focus. $300 later, it was fine, however.

I think I like your story better. Congratulations.

[cmM]

I almost dropped my 17-40 once. I think that's the closest I ever got to a heart attack. I caught it, however. :D

[Illegally_Alive]

Thanks guys. If had been any other lens I would have had it done by a pro, so I lucked out. Besides, the lens is so cheap that the costs of getting it fixed are probably about that of buying a new one.