Bad day, dropped lens...

[MOmilkman]

After taking a couple pics from the car today I forgot to zip the backpack back up before driving off.
Later, the wife and I were pulling into the parking lot to eat and I grabbed the backpack out of the back seat to take in to the restraunt.

My 70-300 USM IS Lens goes flying across the parking lot. I literally melted on the spot.

The good news from this:

The filter took the brunt of the blow. Doesn't look to be any visable damage to the lens. However, as I was playing with it and checking it over I noticed when switching from AF to MF and then turning the focus ring it kinda sticks. I don't recall if it did that before but I assume that's not a normal thing. So it looks like I'm gonna have to take it in and have it looked at.
Doesn't affect anything when I'm using it because when it AutoFocuses it only turns slightly. It hangs up when you turn the auto focus ring considerably.
I'm so mad at myself for dropping this lens I may never forgive myself. But I did learn a considerable lesson that will soon not be forgotten.

More good news, my camera about spilled out of the bag too but I caught it. Attached to it was my 17-40 L lens. I REALLY would have cried if that hit the ground.

So If I'm looking for a silver lining I guess I found it.

Here's to next weekend looking to be a better one.



p.s. Oh, something else that can come from this! I can now make a reverse macro ring with this filter! I didn't have a filter I wanted to waste before. Now I do.

[m.c.adams]

Friday evening, I had a bit of a "oops" myself.



My nifty fifty is now in 3 pieces.
Mark

[Heidilyn]

OUCH! I know how that goes... my camera strap gave out on me last year which sent my camera crashing. Busted the connector on my 55-200mm... almost cost as much to have it repaired as I paid for the lens itself... bleh!

[spazoid1965]

I've never like the way backpack style camera bags open. You have to have them closed when carrying them, or rely on cheeses velco strips. The sholder bags are a lot safer when open. Since the top opens you can leave the bags unfastened while moving about.

[dhart]

Dropped my flash today. The infrared lens (plastic cover thing) popped off, but didn't crack and I just snapped it back on. I was in the middle of a mini wedding, so my heart skipped a couple beats. I guess I need to look into a backup flash. . .

[candleman]

MOmilkman
i almost had exactly the same situation. lucky for me i saw the zip sliding down and the camera poking out... after regaining my compusure it was zipped up quicksmart.

i always double check now.

[MOmilkman]

Thanks everyone for letting me know I'm not the only one that forgets stuff.

I wonder if I should even bother sending it in if it is working correctly? Like I said the only thing I noticed that could be wrong is the MF dosen't turn smoothly but seems fine when in AF.

Any thoughts?

[PnwGuy]

I feel your pain. I posted a couple of weeks ago. Identical situation...pulled my unzipped Slingshot out of the car and my Rebel with my brand new 10-22 went flying. Rebel is fine, lens wasn't. I went to Canon's website and filled out a repair request and sent it to Canon. They repaired it for 104 dollars, which included tax and shipping.

Odd thing was the repair notes said it had been immersed in water. The only water that could have gotten close to it would have been my tears when I realized it was broke, so I was confused on that one. :-)

If you send it in they will contact you with an estimate of repair. The repair fee was listed as a standard fee and didn't appear to be specific to my lens. They had it back to me less than a week after I authorized and paid for the repair.

As for sending yours in, don't know about you but I know in the back of my mind I would always be blaming all my bad shots on the fact that the lens needs to be calibrated since taking a fall. :-) I would probably drive myself crazy so it would be worth it for me to send it in.

[Unipsychle]

ouch... divorce?

[MOmilkman]

Originally Posted by PnwGuy

Odd thing was the repair notes said it had been immersed in water. The only water that could have gotten close to it would have been my tears when I realized it was broke, so I was confused on that one. :-)

If you send it in they will contact you with an estimate of repair. The repair fee was listed as a standard fee and didn't appear to be specific to my lens. They had it back to me less than a week after I authorized and paid for the repair.

As for sending yours in, don't know about you but I know in the back of my mind I would always be blaming all my bad shots on the fact that the lens needs to be calibrated since taking a fall. :-) I would probably drive myself crazy so it would be worth it for me to send it in.

I guess if you bought the lens used someone might have dropped it in water and not told you... but if you bought new.... hmmm..???

I'm thinking I might send it in. I wouldn't think twice if the 'IS' wasn't working or it was making abnormal noises and such but everything seems fine other than the MF. I'm just on the fence here.

Do lenses become uncalibrated easily after a spill?