Broken lense - worth having fixed?
Broken lense - worth having fixed?
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Discussion

blueST

Original Poster:

4,894 posts

246 months

Thursday 10th December 2009
quotequote all
I've been trawling through all my old SLR gear to stick on Ebay and have come across a Canon 80 - 200mm EF lens. There is a fault with the focus mechanism. You can turn the lens when switched to manual focus but it is very free (too free). Image through the view finder appears to focus Ok though.

It won't auto-focus at all, the focus ring still turn very free just like in manual. You can hear the motor clicking as it tries to focus but no movement.

The lens is quite old, maybe 10 - 12 years but is otherwise in good nick. What do you think, can it be fixed or chuck it in the bin? There are no camera shops in my area so it would mean a trip into the big smoke if I were to get it looked at. The other option would be to open it up myself, are there any guides diy fixing?

A thousand apologies to those who were offended, I have now corrected the spelling. Unfortunately, I can't change the title. It's a cross I'll just have to bear.

Edited by blueST on Friday 11th December 14:05

Simpo Two

92,838 posts

295 months

Thursday 10th December 2009
quotequote all
I fear it comes down to the usual two choices.

1) Advertise on eBay as is
2) Trebuchet

The former will get you £10-£20, but the latter is more fun.

Or you can open it up and see what's inside, then (2) biggrin

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

284 months

Thursday 10th December 2009
quotequote all
Is that the f2.8 'magic drainpipe' one?

blueST

Original Poster:

4,894 posts

246 months

Thursday 10th December 2009
quotequote all
RobDickinson said:
Is that the f2.8 'magic drainpipe' one?
No, it's the 4.5 - 5.6 "everyone's got one" one.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

284 months

Friday 11th December 2009
quotequote all
Not sure I'd be bothered then? Whats a reasonable replacement... 75-200 or 55-250IS?

beano500

20,854 posts

305 months

Friday 11th December 2009
quotequote all
Sounds like the clutch mechanism.

Unless you're so emotionally attached to it, I'd offer it up on Fleabay with a very candid and helpful description of its state.

I did something similar with a very ancient Tamron Adaptall 300mm once. I even included some pictures and 100% crops to show it worked and described it in terms of its ugliness and cosmetically disgraceful condition - you couldn't be more honest. It still generated a fair interest from some people who were probably only too grateful to have a bargain basement lens. I think it still generated about £25-30 before charges, so preferable to spending that sum just to send it away to a specialist who will tell you it's not economically worth the repair - net result £50 still in your pocket awaiting next photographic purchase!

beano500

20,854 posts

305 months

Friday 11th December 2009
quotequote all
inkiboo said:
Yes, I'm a pedant but.....
I could probably agree with you on at least two counts there. But thank goodness he didn't call it (a) "Len's" - which I saw just the other day somewhere (Other than PH, I hasten to add!)

beano500

20,854 posts

305 months

Friday 11th December 2009
quotequote all
Len won't be happy - I can tell you now. He's already quite 'armless anyway.......

Simpo Two

92,838 posts

295 months

Friday 11th December 2009
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'Len lent some lenses to Ken, who says that Len's lenses are not as good as his lens.'



Can anyone work in len's and lenses'?

Starfighter

5,348 posts

208 months

Friday 11th December 2009
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Who's Len?
getmecoat

Simpo Two

92,838 posts

295 months

Friday 11th December 2009
quotequote all
Starfighter said:
Who's Len?
getmecoat
He's a singlular Lens...

beano500

20,854 posts

305 months

Friday 11th December 2009
quotequote all
Starfighter said:
Who's Len? getmecoat
Whose Len

Simpo Two

92,838 posts

295 months

Friday 11th December 2009
quotequote all
beano500 said:
Starfighter said:
Who's Len? getmecoat
Whose Len
If you stare at 'Whose Len' too much (whilst attempting to find a witty answer and failing) it starts to seem more like a Chinese province...