Damaged Lens

[Paul.S.]

In a moment of stupidity beyond words I knocked over my tripod and watched my camera go down lens first into the floor fully extended when I was just finishing up some macro shots. I cringed and knew it was a gonner. So I ask, is it worth taking this lens over to Nikon and getting it repaired or much like a damaged car it will never the be same. I've never damaged any photography equipment and so I don't have any experience when it comes to repair vs replace. This was one of my favorite peices of glass and I am about as miserable over this as I can be as I contemplate kicking my own ass!

RIP - AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D ED IF Zoom Nikkor

[mtbbrian]

Sorry to hear about your loss my fellow Samauri.
I hope you can replace it quickly and easily.
Brian
Nikon Samuari #2!

[another view]

Last fall I took a small chunk out of the front element on the same lens. Unfortunately the repair cost (~$200) is about the going rate for a good used one. So mine sits as a backup to a backup...

Nikon generally has a flat repair charge and they'll also probably clean and adjust it if you decide to go that route.

[schrackman]

Paul, I did the EXACT same thing two year ago with my Nikon CP5000. It was like watching it fall over in slow motion! Because the lens was actually part of the camera itself, it was definitely worth having it fixed. Cost me something like $140 for a new lens at the authorized Nikon repair shop. I guess depending upon how much you originally paid for the lens and whether or not it is one of your main lenses would determine whether or not it's worth getting it fixed.

Sorry to hear the bad news.

Ray

[Speed]

In a moment of stupidity beyond words I knocked over my tripod and watched my camera go down lens first into the floor fully extended when I was just finishing up some macro shots. I cringed and knew it was a gonner. So I ask, is it worth taking this lens over to Nikon and getting it repaired or much like a damaged car it will never the be same. I've never damaged any photography equipment and so I don't have any experience when it comes to repair vs replace. This was one of my favorite peices of glass and I am about as miserable over this as I can be as I contemplate kicking my own ass!

RIP - AF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D ED IF Zoom Nikkor

That kills me to hear that someone has had a piece of gear damaged. That is was one of your favorite lenses makes it even worse. When I read that it was a Nikon, I nearly cried.

I agree with the others. Get a quote and weigh the cost/benefit. If you're worried that it will not be the same (like a wrecked car), then go ahead and replace it. That way you won't have any worries or concerns about it failing at a cruial moment.

[Paul.S.]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. This lens is my swiss army knife. It does macro well, its great for portraits and even landscapes can be done to a limited degree, the kind of "If you could only have one lens with you from your bag" type.

So with my head hung in shame as if I'd broken moms favorite vase I kind of half dragged myself into the Nikon office in Mississauga and presented my shining example of momentary stupidity. Probably had that "Gee Doc, can ya fix my dog look?" all over my face.

The girl behind the counter was sympathetic to my stupidity and the actual hit for atleast having the damage looked at and an estimate written up isn't as bad as I feared. 16.50 cdn if I decide not get it repaired is all I have to fork over. She also gave me a ball park figure of around 175$ cdn for the repair as being the average for something like this and most of that going towards labour. Voicing my concerns about calibration and function after the repair I was told that a guarantee is offered to make sure the lens behaves as it did before. So all in all, if I realy didn't destroy it, this will run me a lot less the 500$ + gov's share for a new one. I will keep you all posted..

On a lighter note I was informed that the first CCD cleaning on the D70 is gratis. Fantastic !

Once again thank you for the kind words from both the Nikon Samuaris and others..

cheers..

P.

[paulnj]

DO IT if they are truely a NIKON AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY and give a 6 MONTH GUARANTEE(90 days would work too) ;) Nikon in NY(USA) charges a flat rate of $165(and up up up) last time I needed nikon repairs.

[PhotoGimp]

I have about $7500 in canon gear and only pay about $8/mth for full coverage exept war. Even covers my 2yr old son and his curious mind!

[Speed]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. This lens is my swiss army knife. It does macro well, its great for portraits and even landscapes can be done to a limited degree, the kind of "If you could only have one lens with you from your bag" type.

So with my head hung in shame as if I'd broken moms favorite vase I kind of half dragged myself into the Nikon office in Mississauga and presented my shining example of momentary stupidity. Probably had that "Gee Doc, can ya fix my dog look?" all over my face.

The girl behind the counter was sympathetic to my stupidity and the actual hit for atleast having the damage looked at and an estimate written up isn't as bad as I feared. 16.50 cdn if I decide not get it repaired is all I have to fork over. She also gave me a ball park figure of around 175$ cdn for the repair as being the average for something like this and most of that going towards labour. Voicing my concerns about calibration and function after the repair I was told that a guarantee is offered to make sure the lens behaves as it did before. So all in all, if I realy didn't destroy it, this will run me a lot less the 500$ + gov's share for a new one. I will keep you all posted..

On a lighter note I was informed that the first CCD cleaning on the D70 is gratis. Fantastic !

Once again thank you for the kind words from both the Nikon Samuaris and others..

cheers..

P.

I hope they make it good as new for you!