Should I repair or buy new DSLR camera lens?

I bought a Nikon D70 used a while ago and recently damaged the lens. I had removed the lens from the camera (the lens was the one it came with retail) and it accidentally rolled off my desk. It fell while zoomed in and since then It wont zoom out farther than half way between 35mm and 50mm. The lens originally could go up to 70mm.

I tried it out and it works perfectly save zooming in beyond when it get stuck so I don't think any of the sensitive parts inside are broken.

I was wondering whether it would be more cost effective to buy a new lens or have the lens repaired. I know that lenses are expensive but I have heard that repairing them is just as expensive.

Please only reply if you know for sure.

Thanks.

Answer
If you were talking about a high end lens like the 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens ($1,830) that recently got dropped on a concrete slab, yes it is worth it. Same for the 24-70 mm f/2.8 ($1,800), well worth the cost of repair

Check with Nikon and see what they say. 800.NIKON-UX.

If your damaged lens is the 18-70 mm it may cost more to repair it than just buy a new one ($380) or maybe a good used one.

Sigma lens repair?

Perki88

One of my DSLRs came with a Sigma lens. The lens has a plastic mount that is crumbling away and the zoom won't open to full wide angle. Is it worth a repair and where is the best place to send it?

PS - never buy Sigma lenses
Not under warranty - I'm in USA

Answer
I doubt its worth repairing. Use it as a paperweight and begin shopping for a new lens - preferably one made by the manufacturer of your camera.

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DSLR camera question...?

Ashley

I want to be able to take a fast action picture with my Canon rebel xsi. I know i need to use a fast shutter speed but what do i do if the lighting is dim?

Answer
You have a few different issues you have to confront.

1) Action photography requires shutter speeds of at least 1/500th second.
2) If you are shooting inside like a NBA game, you will need to balance the cost of a fast lens (f/2.8 or faster) and the image noise that can be the result of shooting at high ISO's

Since most sports venues do not allow uncontrolled flash exposures (in other words, on camera flash units), you have only your skills as a sports photographer and the equipment you have.

In your case, set your camera to the aperture priority mode with your lens set to its widest opening and the ISO on the camera cranked up as high as it can go. With your camera in this configuration, take some test shots. Look for the highest shutter speed available under the exiting lighting and the amount of noise created at the high ISO.

You can enhance an image file to reduce the amount of noise apparent in the image with a program like Noise Ninja (a plug-in for Photoshop), but you cannot repair images that show any blur caused by camera or subject movement. The whole shoot is a balancing act when shooting action or sports indoors.

The one thing on your side is the images captured rarely are printed any larger that 4x6 inches in a magazine or sports newspaper and when posted on the Internet are usually an image that is 600x400 pixels @ 72 DPI

NOTE:

* Remember to set your white balance to match the lighting in the sports venue.

* Once you have determined the optimum shutter speed, ISO and aperture, use your camera in the manual mode at those settings. Why? 1) The camera will not have to take any time to determine the correct exposure each time you press the shutter release and 2) you can do this because the lighting in professional sports venues is very even.

Opinions on Olympus dSLR?

Jae

What is your opinion on them?
Build?
Quality?
Reliability?

Answer
I have now or have owned Olympus 35mm SLR and Digital SLR cameras. Currently, two E1's and an E3 plus a number of OM 35mm bodies and lenses.

Previously Olympus E500 (Sold it to raise $$ for the E3).

All of these cameras have been extremely well built.
I have dropped an E1 with lens and smashed the lens beyond repair but I mounted a different lens and kept on shooting.
Lens quality is excellent:
Olympus makes three grades of lenses - Standard, High Grade and Super High Grade.
Their standard grade (economy) lenses that are usually sold in "kits" are some of the best available budget lenses and continually get higher ratings than most other lenses.
Now I mostly use the High Grade lenses (because they are brighter optics and have dust/water seals to help protect against harsh conditions which explains the significant cost difference) and they optics are outstanding!
I have rented Super High Grade lenses for specific situations and they are amazing! I have two of these on my "wish list".
All the camera bodies I have used were also very well made. Most have metal (aluminum) or titanium bodies covered with molded plastic or rubber.

Reliability ~ I had the one serviced because the shutter was sometimes sticking and it was repaired under warranty only cost was shipping charge to get it to them. Prompt courteous service.

My only complaints are on E3 some controls are a bit too easy to knock out of adjustment and I find it easy to dislodge eye cup and viewfinder attachments. A bit of tape takes care of that.

HTH. Email if you need more details.

Here are some images i have posted on Flickr.

Most 35mm images on this are scanned slides from Minolta SRT cameras that predate OM.
Most digital images are from Oly E1, E3 or E500

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robs-photo-memory/sets/

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My Quantaray Lens(70-300mm, 4.0-5.6 LD) is not Zooming in or out. Does anyone know where I can get it repaired?

RoseCullen

All in Title.
Would I have to buy a new one? Or CAN you even get it repaired

Answer
If its indeed broken it will likely cost more to have it repaired than it will to buy a new lens. You might consider saving your money until you can buy a comparable lens from your camera manufacturer. Over time you'll find that a Pentax lens on a Pentax DSLR or Sony/Minolta Maxxum lens on a Sony DSLR or Canon lens on a Canon DSLR or Nikon lens on a Nikon DSLR will give better results than an after-market (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina) lens on the same camera.

Camera repair costs... Lens?

Jme

How much would it cost to get my camera lens fixed

Answer
Check out Precision Camera Repair. You can get a quote online.
I have used them for DSLR repairs, they are reasonably priced and have a fast turn around time.

Link below
http://www.precisioncamera.com/
TOM

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I have a Nikon D80 DSLR camera, what are 2 lenses I should start with?

dslr camera lens repair image

Cincy G

What are 2 lenses I should start out with for my camera? I would like something for everyday use and something for zooming in long distance. Under $500 would be nice.
What is difference between 70-300mm and 75-300mm?
Is a VR a must have?

Answer
Hi Cincy. Great Questions!! There is no real need to have more than one lens if you are not a professional photographer who has reasons for using a variety of focal length lenses. For people who come in our store asking the same question, I recommend them buying an 18-200mm or 28-200mm zoom lens. For one thing, it allows for relatively wide angle shots. Also, you have the advantage of being able to zoom to standard focal length (50mm), portrait lengths (85mm to 100mm), and all the way out to long telephoto (200mm).... all in one lens. The second advantage is that you only have one lens that you keep on the camera... meaning not having to switch lenses on and off, which absolutely introduces tiny particles to the sensor of the camera. Particles on the sensor = spots on your images/pictures = extra work in photoshop or a trip to the camera repair for a sensor cleaning = at least an $89.00 cleaning fee each time you have to take it in. You can literally have 100's of spots on the sensor.... I know, I just had mine cleaned. :( There is not much difference in the 70-300mm and 75-300mm focal length wise. VR is an advantage... it reduces the effects of camera shake which helps with clearer, in focus pictures. Hope that gives you something to consider.

PSS. I am adding the links to the lenses I recommended just so you can see and read about them.

Where can I get my camera lens cleaned?

Matt

I have a canon dslr and I noticed there is some dust on the inside of the lens. I bought the camera from bestbuy. Do I take the lens to bestbuy to get cleaned?

Answer
Hi Matt
Best Buy will do nothing for you or your camera. Try calling Canon's 1800 number. They will provide the name of an authorized Canon repair tech in your city. If the equipment is under warranty... you just might get a discount. Worth the try. Thanks for reading.

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What will happen if you drop your dslr on the carpet?

dslr camera lens repair image

Mary Anton

My sister drop our DSLR (D5100) on the carpet, i'm so uncomfortable so i decided to ask a question here, Please answer my question, what will happen if you drop your dslr on the carpet? ASAP!

Answer
Nothing or maybe a lot

Bad things like misalignment the lens mount (even as little as a .05 mm misalignment can cause problems with focus across the sensor.

The mirror could become misaligned and not move completely out of the way when you are taking a shot. This will show up as a black band across the bottom of your images.

The auto-focus system may become misaligned, so that your photos are just not quite in focus.

If any of your images show any of these signs, you will want to send your camera to Nikon for repair

How can I clean off smudge mark on sensor DSLR sensor?

kuya731

There is this smudge mark on my pictures from my Canon 60D and I have no idea how to get it out. It's not the lens because I tried two different lenses and the mark showed up in the same spot, which leaves me to believe it is the sensor. Whenever I close to a higher F-stop the mark becomes more focused. I've also tried using canned air to blow any dust away but that didn't seem to help.

Answer
Take it to a professional camera repair shop. Tell them what you did and they will quote you a price to replace the sensor.

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