Tamron - possible problem?

divamum

Hi all -

I have a great nearly-new Tam 17-50. I bought it like-new off Craigslist back in January (only a few months with original owner who decided they wanted something even wider, and came with box, warrantee card etc), and it has been a stunning performer since I got it. No complaints at all - it's a fabulous all-round lens and tack sharp even wide open.

Today when shooting I noticed a rattle - turns out that the front-most ring (the piece to which the filter and hood attach, NOT the focusing ring) is suddenly loose. It's focusing fine and this doesn't appear to affect the performance in any way, although the rattling is driving me nuts! What's odd to me is how this seems to have happened spontaneously - it hasn't been bumped to my knowledge (although it's possible, I suppose, and I just didn't realise it).

In any case, is this something to have fixed and if so should I take it in locally (ie if it's a quick case of simply knowing where the screw is to tighten it) or do I have to : send it in for repair?

Thanks in advance for advice!

ziggy53

It sounds like the front "bezel" of the lens has come loose. This is not at all unusual and does not present a problem for the lens either optically or mechanically. Unfortunately it will only continue to loosen so it should be taken in for tightening.

Almost any competent camera repair shop should have the necessary tool to tighten it for a nominal fee.

divamum

ziggy53 wrote:

It sounds like the front "bezel" of the lens has come loose. This is not at all unusual and does not present a problem for the lens either optically or mechanically. Unfortunately it will only continue to loosen so it should be taken in for tightening.

Almost any competent camera repair shop should have the necessary tool to tighten it for a nominal fee.

Thanks Ziggy! I'll call my local store and see if they can do it. I was hoping it would be as simple as that..... :whew

Jabba

I sent mine in and they bent me over. No more Tam's for me.smooch

divamum

Jabba wrote:

I sent mine in and they bent me over. No more Tam's for me.smooch

Huh??

dangin

divamum wrote:

Huh??

i wonder what he's referring to as well...

i've got a tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 w/ nikon mount and have the same issue. i don't use it anymore however since going full frame however.

amg2833

From my knowledge, this is a common problem with this lens. Luckily, it hasn't happened to mine. It seems to be an easy fix though. Here's a video showing a fellow doing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiOj-7MAO_w

divamum

amg2833 wrote:

From my knowledge, this is a common problem with this lens. Luckily, it hasn't happened to mine. It seems to be an easy fix though. Here's a video showing a fellow doing it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiOj-7MAO_w

Brilliant! Tx for the link. Looks like a very easy fix with a small screwdriver.

ziggy53

I'm not sure that is the best way to remove the bezel cover. Generally those unscrew.

It is extremely easy to scratch the front element using this approach in the video. Proceed at your own risk.

When turning the screws that hold the bezel back to tight, I prefer to use 2 hands to guide the screwdriver so that the tip of the screwdriver doesn't slip. You may choose to use some nailpolish to secure the screw heads to help deter loosening (old trick.) Be extremely careful to protect the front element of the lens to avoid any contamination from anything harmful or from scratching.

amg2833

Yes, please be very VERY careful. I'd hate to have anything happen to such a great lens.

dangin

wow good find. scary though. my hands aren't steady enough to attempt this.

divamum

Easy fix. Go slow, go steady, and be extra careful when prying off the bezel trim/cover: it does indeed pop off as shown rather than screw, because it's held in place with 3 small plastic posts which snap into holes on the bezel mounting itself - you just have to be careful to ease those out or they could snap off.

The screws are surprisingly hard to turn, but even loose they're seated slightly below the front element which gives a little bit of confidence that you're not endangering it as long as you take it slow to avoid a screwdriver slip.

Thanks so much for that link - I would NEVER have tried this for myself if I hadn't seen That it's definitely an do-able DIY job I think that's probably the limit of my camera-innards work, however - I'm still oogy about trying to clean the sensor (which I suspect requires steadier hands and a more "clean room" environment than this did!)

ziggy53

divamum wrote:

Easy fix. ...

Fantastic news and thanks for reporting back that it worked.