smashed 24-105 F4 L Lens front element

[scotty512]

Hi All

Camera 5D Mk3
Lens 24-105 L F4

whilst shooting the ISS I managed to knock into my tripod which sent it tumbling to the floor and did a fair amount of front lens damage, although I was still able to take pictures and both lens and camera worked ok,
so I have a few questions

1) whilst no obvious damage to the body (the lens took the fall) do I need to get the camera body checked out?
2) is there a option to repair the lens (all the damage was the front element glass

thanks
Scott

[neuroanatomist]

I'd recommend contacting Canon Service.

[Martin W]

I dropped my 24-105 (not on camera) onto a marble floor and it popped out the whole front cell. I can't remember the cost , I will see if I can find the invoice (£300 rings a bell), but it was less than I expected (new cell) and considerably less than a new lens (£1000+). CPS repairer took a couple of days to fix it as they had to order in a new front cell.

I would recommend getting both checked.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Have it repaired.  Replacing the front element is not all that expensive, but the elements will also likely be decentered, so a complete adjustment should be done.
Here is a interesting article by Roger Cicala of lens rentals.
http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/08/a-tilted-element-demonstration

[awinphoto]

I concur... have it fixed... it will be cheaper in the long run than buying a new lens all together...  You could also send in the camera...  Remember it is a percision camera, and if any element loosened god forbid, while it may work like a champ now, it could slowly undo itself and create a bigger problem down the road... catch my drift?  Better be safe than sorry with a $3500 camera and $1100 lens. 

[RLPhoto]

Why no lens hood on?

[Stephen Melvin]

You were photographing the International Space Station with a 24-105L? 

I agree that you should send it to Canon. Their repairs are fast and reasonably priced.

[mtavel]

You were photographing the International Space Station with a 24-105L? 

It was a really tall tripod.

[Drizzt321]

Not sure if you should get the body checked out as well. I know when I sent my 5d2 in to fix a cracked case after dropping it on it's corner, they said they had to adjust the AF system as it got jarred due to the fall.

[scotty512]

Thanks for all the comments

There was a hood on, unfortunately it smashed into pebbles which decided to ignore the hood sadly

Yes the ISS,  photo attached

I have sent the lens off to canon and after the music festival at the weekend I will contact them about checking out the body

[RLPhoto]

Why no UV filter?

[scotty512]

well the good news canon came back with a quote which was £200 for full repair, not bad for pretty much fixing the entire lens - wonder why its £800 new ;0)

[swrightgfx]

well the good news canon came back with a quote which was £200 for full repair, not bad for pretty much fixing the entire lens - wonder why its £800 new ;0)

I think that is because there are eighteen elements and not just the one you damaged. So really, 18x£200 - they should be charging £3600!!?

Good to hear you are getting it fixed!

[Mt Spokane Photography]

well the good news canon came back with a quote which was £200 for full repair, not bad for pretty much fixing the entire lens - wonder why its £800 new ;0)

The front element replacement is the cheapest, partly because of the labor.  Its quick and easy to replace, most of the work is in re-aligning the elements.
I'm glad you sent it in, the lens should return better than ever.

[Meh]

Dropped my 70-200mm f/2.8L II about 18 inches onto a hard surface a a couple weeks ago whist taking out of my bag... started unzipping before the bag was down on the ground!  Lens hood was on (reversed) and got scratched up a bit.  And my heart was broken when I saw a small dent and scratch on the barrel at the rear of the lens.  Lens seems to work fine and images are still sharp but will definitely be sending in for a check up and replacement of the dented section if possible.