Is the lens I dropped repairable?

JohnnyJr

I could really use some advice about my damaged 50mm 1.4. I dropped it this morning and it hit the ground hard on its side. Now it won’t focus. When it turn it over from end to end I can feel a heavy solid object sliding up and down freely inside the lens barrel. Feels like one of those cow-in-a-can things but without the ‘moo’! My questions are:
1) Is it likely to be repairable and what’s Canon gonna charge me;
2) If I do get it fixed will it ever actually be right again;
3) Should I just replace it and be more careful.

I’ve never dropped any piece of photo gear before which is pretty amazing considering I’m a big klutz. For once I’m glad that the build on this lens is so cheap because it will cost >only< $300 to replace, which could be worse I guess.

Any thoughts fellow lens droppers?

wxwax

If it were me, I'd send it off to Canon. They'll tell you how much a repair will cost. Then you can decide whether or not it's worth it.

mrlarter

I've been told that the only lenses really worth repairing is if the lens is over $750. anything else the repair costs close to the actual cost and theres alwaysa chance with any damage that the glass may be scratched.

Seefutlung

If it can't be repaired maybe Canon can fit some type of noise maker over one of the ends ... so when it's tipped .. it mooos.

TristanP

My 50/1.4 was also dropped onto the sidewalk and stopped working. The focus ring would only extend the lens about halfway. I sent it to Canon, they charged me $85 (plus shipping), and I had it back from NJ in about 2 weeks. It seems to be not QUITE the same as new (slight squeeks when extending and focus seems a TAD slower than before), so I may send it back. If I had waited to drop it until after I got my State Farm camera insurance, it would have cost me shipping only, IIRC. By all means, send it in. You won't know anything concrete until you do.

ziggy53

TristanP wrote:

... You won't know anything concrete until you do.

I bet "concrete" is partly how he got into this predicament.

ziggy53

JohnnyJr

I've actually got a State Farm policy on this lens and the rest of my gear. I didn't figure it was worth filing a claim for this lens but maybe I should look into it. It sounds like they will cover the repair cost from what you're saying. However, my concern is what you've described, that it won't ever be the same again after it is repaired...

TristanP wrote:

My 50/1.4 was also dropped onto the sidewalk and stopped working. The focus ring would only extend the lens about halfway. I sent it to Canon, they charged me $85 (plus shipping), and I had it back from NJ in about 2 weeks. It seems to be not QUITE the same as new (slight squeeks when extending and focus seems a TAD slower than before), so I may send it back. If I had waited to drop it until after I got my State Farm camera insurance, it would have cost me shipping only, IIRC. By all means, send it in. You won't know anything concrete until you do.

JohnnyJr

That would actually be a pretty cool gag item, wouldn't it?

Seefutlung wrote:

If it can't be repaired maybe Canon can fit some type of noise maker over one of the ends ... so when it's tipped .. it mooos.

TristanP

Is it just your homeowner's policy or a specific Inland Marine policy covering camera gear (like I have)? If it's just your homeowners, I'd hesitate on claiming such a small item. A new lens is only ~$300. The repair should be fine, but you won't know until you send it in.

JohnnyJr

It is a seperate "personal articles" policy specifically for the camera gear... does that sound like what you have through Stare Farm? They said it covers any loss or damage to the gear (including a gravity incident like this one) but I've always wondered what would happen in this type of situation if I actually did file a claim. In this case I won't but I still wonder. My policy is up for renewal so if you have any insurance advice I'd love to hear it!

TristanP wrote:

Is it just your homeowner's policy or a specific Inland Marine policy covering camera gear (like I have)? If it's just your homeowners, I'd hesitate on claiming such a small item. A new lens is only ~$300. The repair should be fine, but you won't know until you send it in.

TristanP

Sounds exactly like my policy. I wouldn't hesitate to file that claim - it's why you bought the insurance, right? That will determine whether it's worth renewing, too.

JohnnyJr

Good point, Tristan!

TristanP wrote:

Sounds exactly like my policy. I wouldn't hesitate to file that claim - it's why you bought the insurance, right? That will determine whether it's worth renewing, too.

John Mueller

JohnnyJr wrote:

It is a seperate "personal articles" policy specifically for the camera gear... does that sound like what you have through Stare Farm? They said it covers any loss or damage to the gear (including a gravity incident like this one) but I've always wondered what would happen in this type of situation if I actually did file a claim. In this case I won't but I still wonder. My policy is up for renewal so if you have any insurance advice I'd love to hear it!

I have that policy.

I met a fellow photog who happened to be an agent.
He said be careful with your claims.2-3 and they drop you.
So,if it were me,I would do out of pocket and save claims for the larger $

SpeshulEd

2-3 claims and they drop you? You're paying for the insurance, thats what its there for, to me that doesn't make sense that they'd drop you if you claimed a few things. I don't doubt you, I just find it rediculous.

I think I'd call call your insurance company and Canon just to see what they'd suggest. If canon says they can fix it and your insurance company doesn't mind covering it (which they shouldn't cuz thats what you pay them for), then I'd go for it. If it doesn't work to your liking in the end, you can sell it as is for cheap.