Broken lens

[Sean Setters]

Not long ago I bought a used Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II in great condition off of eBay (it was pristine). For kicks, I took it outside to the street in front of my house and took some pictures of the moon. When I was finished, I hoisted the tripod, head, gimbal mount, and lens on my shoulder to take into the house where I have to traverse about 5 concrete steps and a concrete landing/front porch that lead up to my front door. As I stepping up to the 3rd step, I could hear the lens foot slowly but surely slipping out of the gimbal mount -- I had forgotten to tighten it fully after balancing the combination. I cringed and waited for the inevitable sound of my most expensive lens bouncing off the concrete steps after a 6' drop.

*click*

I opened my eyes and looked over my shoulder. The lens was still there. It had been stopped from falling by the set screws on the bottom of the lens foot. I've never been so thankful for a $0.10 piece of gear...


And another story... I typically shoot the championships for a local recreational sports club. In addition to being paid, I also get to play in the league for free. On a couple of occasions, my team has made it to the championship game, making photographing the game especially challenging. One one occasion, I handed my camera and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens to a fellow player (who wasn't playing in the game), gave him a 5 minute rundown on how to shoot the game (I set the exposure controls and locked them but showed him how to place the AF point over a player, half-press, track and shoot).

At the end of the game, I was in the dugout (with a concrete floor) and he handed me the camera and lens. I set it down on the bench and he left while I packed up my things. When I picked up the camera and lens, the lens separated itself from the camera. In an instant, I had a choice -- do I prevent the camera from hitting the ground or the lens? I instinctively chose the lens and caught it, but my R6 hit the ground pretty hard. Thankfully, it was functionally ok, but it did get a few battles scars from the drop. I have no idea why the player chose to push the lens release button, but he must have been curious about it. The lens was decoupled but still attached; something I never would have thought to check.

[Rogue]

Not long ago I bought a used Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II in great condition off of eBay (it was pristine). For kicks, I took it outside to the street in front of my house and took some pictures of the moon. When I was finished, I hoisted the tripod, head, gimbal mount, and lens on my shoulder to take into the house where I have to traverse about 5 concrete steps and a concrete landing/front porch that lead up to my front door. As I stepping up to the 3rd step, I could hear the lens foot slowly but surely slipping out of the gimbal mount -- I had forgotten to tighten it fully after balancing the combination. I cringed and waited for the inevitable sound of my most expensive lens bouncing off the concrete steps after a 6' drop.

*click*

I opened my eyes and looked over my shoulder. The lens was still there. It had been stopped from falling by the set screws on the bottom of the lens foot. I've never been so thankful for a $0.10 piece of gear...


And another story... I typically shoot the championships for a local recreational sports club. In addition to being paid, I also get to play in the league for free. On a couple of occasions, my team has made it to the championship game, making photographing the game especially challenging. One one occasion, I handed my camera and EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II lens to a fellow player (who wasn't playing in the game), gave him a 5 minute rundown on how to shoot the game (I set the exposure controls and locked them but showed him how to place the AF point over a player, half-press, track and shoot).

At the end of the game, I was in the dugout (with a concrete floor) and he handed me the camera and lens. I set it down on the bench and he left while I packed up my things. When I picked up the camera and lens, the lens separated itself from the camera. In an instant, I had a choice -- do I prevent the camera from hitting the ground or the lens? I instinctively chose the lens and caught it, but my R6 hit the ground pretty hard. Thankfully, it was functionally ok, but it did get a few battles scars from the drop. I have no idea why the player chose to push the lens release button, but he must have been curious about it. The lens was decoupled but still attached; something I never would have thought to check.

Phew, you were lucky in both stories! I will be looking into ways to secure my camera in the ballhead better and what happened to you in the second story is one of the reasons I rarely let anyone use my gear. Thanks for sharing!

Trent

[Rogue]

Final update on my lens for those interested: Canon got the lens Tuesday (8/27) and Wednesday afternoon I got an email from them saying it was shipped out. Delivered today (8/30) and other than a scuff mark on the lens hood, it looks like the day I got it. Took a quick couple shots and no issues. They ended up replacing the fixed barrel assembly and the lens assembly with USM. They cleaned and tested it. So happy I sent it in, worth every penny it cost me. Will think about CPS, I do qualify for the Gold Membership. Next new lens will have a CarePAK with it.

[Kayaker72]

That is the type of update I really like!

Excellent news.

[neuroanatomist]

Great outcome!

[Rogue]

That is the type of update I really like!

Excellent news.

Thank you. Huge relief on my part. Just need to decide which new lens to get.

[Rogue]

Great outcome!

Thank you. I was slightly concerned with the one day turn around but it's Canon so I put it out of my mind. That and I didn't get an email saying more was wrong with it.

[neuroanatomist]

Based on comments from Roger Cicala (owner emeritus of LensRentals), repairing a lens doesn’t take too long regardless of the degree of damage. What takes time is waiting in the queue of other lenses awaiting repair, and perhaps waiting for parts if what’s needed isn’t available. So if the repair center isn’t busy, a quick turnaround time makes sense.

[Rogue]

Based on comments from Roger Cicala (owner emeritus of LensRentals), repairing a lens doesn’t take too long regardless of the degree of damage. What takes time is waiting in the queue of other lenses awaiting repair, and perhaps waiting for parts if what’s needed isn’t available. So if the repair center isn’t busy, a quick turnaround time makes sense.

Thank for the info, clears things up a bit.