Switch fell off my 50 1.8 mk I

Title says it all. My EF 50mm 1.8 mk I lens, which I picked up about six months ago in pristine condition for use with infrared photography and walk-around shooting is broken. I was shooting at a party in low-light conditions when suddenly, without warning, the AF/M switch simply dropped off the lens, exposing the gearwork inside. Luckily, I saw it and retrieved it. A close examination showed one of the four plastic prongs that anchor the switch plate into place has snapped. No real way to repair that, since it's so thin. Right now the switch is held in place by a piece of tape, but I'm thinking a tiny spot of glue might be my best course of action. Nobody services this lens anymore, after all, and I switch back and forth from AF and M, meaning the tape gets in the way.

I'm really frustrated by this, since the lens is a gem and instantly became one of my favorites. Amazing how much more appealing a "Nifty 50" becomes with decent build quality.

I'm sure someone will servicve it for you. Might involve dust tape or glue if the part cannot be found. Buy another copy = spare parts.

Gasrocks, I thought about buying a copy for parts, but even the broken ones are in demand. And I'm not at all certain I could successfully remove the switchplate without the 25-year-old plastic prongs breaking anyway.

If I go light on the glue, any future repair that needed to get into that panel could force it without much harm. I'm not about to give this one up. Great little lens.

The 50mm 1.8 Mk I AF switch is probably exactly the same as the 28mm 2.8 and 35mm 2.0

Both are still in production and should have parts readily available.

It will probably cost more then the lens is worth new, to get it repaired. I've seen old Canon 50mm f/1.8 lenses with metal mount for sale on craigslist for under $60.00.

Take Care,
Cheers, Patrick

Patrick, you're right, even considering the mk I hasn't been available new since '89 or so.

Msowsun, I hadn't considered that. Will keep an eye open for nonworking versions of those two. I might get lucky!