help: dropped a lens, what can i do

I feel stupid and quite annoyed. I dropped my Pentax 100 D FA macro lens. The glass seems to be intact and still working but the focus ring is really really stiff. I think there is a dent on the focus ring that is causing a lot of friction.

I have taken a few pictures after I dropped it so it seems to be workable. I bought the lens on ebay in Feb this year and it was only 5 months old. I have no receipts.

Can I get it fixed?

If you have an All Risks section to your household insurance policy that might cover you.

Can you retrieve an eBay item page or a PayPal payment record? Otherwise, you'll have perhaps a cheque stub, or some other proof that you paid?

If nothing can be found and there's no insurance, then it's down to paying for a repair.

I don't have any household insurance but if mistakes like this are covered then I might just get some to cover future mishaps.

How much do you think it would cost for repairs?

Well, if it still manages to produce good images, and you can live with the focus ring stiffness (depends if you do much manual focussing I guess?), then I'd be inclined to live with it.

It might free up after a bit of use, but otherwise, off for a repair I guess?

Feel for you though, I'd be gutted!

I have a Tamron 24-135mm AF SP which was my first ever lens purchase and while I was living in Spain I put it on a table next to the window. We had a terrible stormy day, the wind caught the wooden shutter which in turn wacked the lens for 6 onto a hard tiled floor.

I sent it off to the UK Tamron repair centre (Intro2002) because it would not focus correctly (even though it looked perfect on the outside) and they quoted me £103 incl return postage .. from the looks of it they are replacing virtually the whole of the insides.

The repair is costing me not much less than what I paid 18 months ago (used) for the lens but its just perfect for me as a walkabout.

Has been over 3 months since I sent it though ... when they sent the quote all the parts were in stock but as soon as I accepted they were suddenly missing one and are waiting for Tamron to supply it

Horrid feeling when you bounce a lens, I did it to my Pentax 100-300mm and the only damage is to the hood area where you would mount a filter if the was not flattened in one place - still takes good shots so I have not bothers but it will have made the resale value almost zero I would think.

If you can manage with the lens it probable is not worth the trouble of having it repaired, if you can't then it is good to know that repairs can be undertaken.

Thank you all for your help and advice. Who do I contact to have the lens repaired? Is it better to go through SRS say or direct to Pentax?

I just want to get a quote as I would be happy to pay at most £50 say.

If you go onto the Pentax web site it will give you all the details to have a repair done, it is no longer handled by Pentax directly.

Saying that the postage there and back just for a quote is going to cost around £15 .. if £50 is your limit I would bet the repair itself will be more than that (without the postage).

Out of interest, if I can get hold of the receipt and it is within warranty, would this be covered? I am guessing not.

I also think so. I just looked at the price for a brand new one and I almost cried

I am guessing the same.

Try this Alan Marlow, http://www.cam-rep.co.uk/. He comes highly recommended and is very reasonably priced.

Regards - Steve

Alan fixed a few lenses for me in the past but in the end had to refund my payment for the Tamron as he couldn't repair that one.
Pity really as he only quoted £40.

Recently dropped my SMC F 28-80 and now the zoom is really stiff. I thought the cost of repair would exceed the cost of replacement - I am now waiting for my 28-70 f4 AL to arrive. I'll be more careful in future.

Cheerz MZ

If you are a magazine subscriber you get a discount. I was surprised that the repair to my 50-135mm was only 78 quid after the discount (new front barrel and new motor) but the repair took ages and I haven't had a chance to test it yet as it is back in the UK and I am not.