Broken!

[DigiDiva]

I dropped my camera and have broken my Canon EFS 18 - 55mm lens. I'm quite gutted as it's the one I use the most. I don't know if I should take it apart and try to straighten it, if I should dump it and buy another or pay money (that may be wasted) to have it sent off for a repair estimate.

I had a terrible weekend photography wise and the broken lens was just the icing on the cake *big sigh*

[Jediboy]

Thats pants. Sorry to hear you've had a bad weekend.
If it was me, I'd try and use is as an opportunity to buy some new glass.
Are you insured?? That may help.

[DigiDiva]

My excess is £70 so might as well not bother, as have seen some new ones on ebay for around that price. If I claim, my premium will go up. In some ways,I wish my camera had broken too lol

[silversnapper1]

Chris, that's a tragedy.

Ever so sorry to hear about your woes. I don't think that taking it apart is the answer as these things are put together in a specific way and I believe that the lenses are aligned in a specific way too. A professional repair will probably cost almost as much as a new lens. Hopefully you can get something sorted soon.

In the meantime, you have the 50mm and maybe you could think about using that lens for some of your more creative work in the meantime.

[donoreo]

You could see how much it is to repair or a cheap option might be a used one. I know most stores here that take in used lenses have a few of those in stock for not much money.

[nick_gray]

Originally Posted by DigiDiva

I don't know if I should take it apart and try to straighten it

I agree with all that's already been said, but what's wrong with it that needs straightening?

Regards

Nick

[DigiDiva]

Originally Posted by nick_gray

I agree with all that's already been said, but what's wrong with it that needs straightening?

Regards

Nick

I don't know the techno names for the parts, but the telescopic tube part is offline. It wont zoom anymore and it cant focus! Theres one on ebay at the minute going for a decent price, buyer looks ok, but I don't like his technique of selling - its basically 'once it leaves me, thats that', no returns etc.

[thefonz78]

My girlfriend dropped my nikon d40x with the 18-55mm kit lens on it a broke it sounds like the same as yours, something was stopping it zooming i could hear a rattle. I took it back to the shop they sent it back to Nikon a fixed it i had a 2 year warranty. It will cost you nothing to try. Mine was dropped onto carpet so had no visible signs of damage on the outside just play dumb when they ask you did you drop it.

[nick_gray]

I don't know the techno names for the parts, but the telescopic tube part is offline. It wont zoom anymore and it cant focus!

Ah, I see, then I don't think there's anything YOU can do to fix it, without possibly making it worse. I'd suggest calling up Canon http://www.canon.co.uk/Support/Consu...tor/index.aspx to see if they could give you an idea of repair costs. If it's too much to repair, then you could give it a go at a bit of home surgery. Bear in mind that a new 18-55 costs about £150.

Although I bought my 100mm macro on ebay, it was sold as brand new, and I think I got lucky as it arrived as exactly as described. I wouldn't buy a second hand lens off ebay, especially if the seller states no returns (I didn't think they were allowed to do that on ebay). You'd be better off going into a camera shop, and testing out a second hand lens on your camera before buying. Is there something like the London Camera Exchange in the North East?

I'd be tempted, as Jediboy suggested buy some more glass/better glass :-) but it obviously depends on your finances.

Regards

Nick

[DigiMara]

There is a guy in Newcastle who fixes cameras, I don't remember his name but was just in there today, it's in the square where the Monument is where all the kids hang out, he's up on the 3rd floor, the tiniest shop ever but I know if he can't fix it, he won't charge for it.....worth popping in to ask!!!