Dropped my lens!

[Jonty]

Yesterday I dropped my Canon EF 35-80mm 4-5.6 zoom lens on the floor! :cry: I was sitting down and it only fell about 18" onto grass, but now there is a rattling sound inside where there wasn't before. The lens still seems to work ok, focusing seems fine, but now the motor is making some crazy noises!
The lens cost me £95 (approx $180USD) second-hand, so I was wondering whether you guys think it's worth trying to get it repaired or does it sound like it could be very expensive. Appreciate your thoughts!

[JusSmith]

Personally I wouldn't bother, you're only losing the range 55mm to 80mm.

[mdr]

I wouldn't bother. For a specialist repairer to open the lens up, let alone replace any parts, you're looking at at least £40 + VAT. I've had a USM motor replaced on a 20-35mm USM lens from a Canon authorised repairer which set me back £90 + VAT.

[Andy_T]

Jonty,

on one hand that's pretty bad to hear.

On the other hand it's a perfect excuse to get a nice new lens. Do take a look at the Tamron 28-75/2.8 XR DI.

Trust me, for about 350$ (don't know how much down under) it will send you to new heights of photographic enjoyment :D

Best regards,
Andy

[Steve Parr]

Just remember, it's not the fall that breaks the lens. It's the sudden stop at the end...

Steve

[rg-tom]

you paid £95 for this lens?! wow. I payed £20 INCLUDING a canon eos-1000F for mine :/....what model is yours? Original mkii or mkiii? All of them have slightly different ways of doing it but take the front element off and its a cracking macro lens that does nearly 2:1 :)

[Jonty]

Thanks rg-tom. You only paying £20 for your lens has made me feel even sicker than when I dropped it! As to which model it is, I haven't got a clue. Doesn't say! But I could turn it into a macro? Now that could be fun...

[Todd Jacobsen]

Yesterday I dropped my Canon EF 35-80mm 4-5.6 zoom lens on the floor! :cry: I was sitting down and it only fell about 18" onto grass, but now there is a rattling sound inside where there wasn't before. The lens still seems to work ok, focusing seems fine, but now the motor is making some crazy noises!
The lens cost me £95 (approx $180USD) second-hand, so I was wondering whether you guys think it's worth trying to get it repaired or does it sound like it could be very expensive. Appreciate your thoughts!


I dropped a lens 4,000ft once...well my skydiving helmet, with the lens attached to the camera, attached to the helmet...

Helmet was smashed, camera (Rebel film) insides a mess, lens though, looked "almost" normal, just slightly "bent" (pulled out) at the zoom ring (20-35 USM). Oh yeah, the UV filter was broke.

Took it home and said "What the h@ll, and pushed it back in, with some force.

Lens worked for a year, focus was excellent. Just a month or two ago it stopped being able to be zoomed to it's full range. I stopped using it and switched to the replacement lens I bought...a year before.

Check it out with your digital and see if it works - it's falling apart but until then, don't sweat it. Buying a new lens will be about the same cost as your repaired one.