24-105 damaged. Advice needed

[BossFan]

Hi all,

Lurker first time poster. Figure this is the best place to ask this.

To make a long story short: I dropped my camera in the fountain at the Louvre. While it makes for an interesting story it also makes for a damaged camera. The good news is after a week the camera seems to have dried out and is working. The lens, on the other hand, is having issues.

It's a 24-105 L Canon and you can still see moisture spots on the inside glass. Also, the focus doesn't kick in and you can hear it grinding to try to start up.

I took it to a repair shop here in town and the guy there said "It's not worth it" at first. Then said he would look at it for $48 and, if repairable, would charge me $400 but no guarantee. He said the sound I am hearing is the IS trying to kick in.

What do you think? Is it salvagable? Suggestions outside of "Don't drop your camera into a fountain at the Louvre"?

 

[Canon Rumors]

Hey

It sounds like it has the obvious electrical issues from a short. A new IS motor, AF motor and tear down to clean out the glass would be $500+ as far as I know. You may find other issues when you do tear it down.

I've seen these appear for $800 brand new out of 5D kits.... that's probably the way I'd go.


Cheers
CR

 

[TexPhoto]

No insurance? Home owner's? Renters?

I'd send it Canon. If more than 50% of new, I'd buy new.

You can probably sell the damaged lens on eBay for several $100. (just describe all the problems completely and honestly)

And not to rub salt in the wound, but Camera straps, etc are cheap, this kind of thing is expensive. (same with insurance)

Oh, and I've drowned 2 cameras, dropped and smashed 2 lenses, and had a whole kit stolen when i left it visible in the back of my car. So we live and we learn...

 

[BossFan]

I got the lens at the start of the summer for this trip from Kijiji. Only paid $850 for it so it's not new in itself. I suppose one things "It'll never happen to me" until it does and then realizes, shit, should have had insurance, etc.

Weird thing is, I was wearing my strap.Thing still managed to slip off.

There are people selling it in my area for $850 or so online again as well.

 

[wickidwombat]

Hey

It sounds like it has the obvious electrical issues from a short. A new IS motor, AF motor and tear down to clean out the glass would be $500+ as far as I know. You may find other issues when you do tear it down.

I've seen these appear for $800 brand new out of 5D kits.... that's probably the way I'd go.


Cheers
CR

yep and just sell your busted one on ebay for parts not working for$100 or something to get some money back

 

[Rat]

"Isn't worth it" without even opening it up sounds shaky to me, $400 and no guarantees sounds like he doesn't know what he's doing. Find an official Canon service center and get a decent second opinion - they can repair anything and will give you a decent cost estimate. If that estimate is higher than 500-600, sure, it's a loss, sell it for parts and buy a new one. But I'd always get it checked out by a shop I trust, not by gamblers.

 

[Freeman]

I concur.

I would either send it to Canon for factory service or unload it. I think Canon repair would leave you with what will amount to a refurbished working lens for less money than you're going to spend on another new copy.

As already stated, just don't spend too much (how much is too much? strictly, your jugement call) with Canon for the repair.

 

[Luke]

$500 bucks to repair? Just pay the $350 more and buy new..... Then you won't have to worry about temporary fixes, etc.
Water = bad news for electronics and gears...

You can get 'em off ebay for $800. Personally, I'm gonna sell 2 month old one for around $800 when the new 24-70 II comes out...
(I only had to buy it, because I sold my kit lens back in May in preparation for the 24-70 II I wanted for vacation, but then it was delayed )

 

[7enderbender]

Depends on how much you like that lens. If you want it repaired I'd only have Canon do this. Probably safer to unload for cheap and buy a refurbished from Canon or authorized dealer.

If it was mine I'd probably take it as an opportunity to buy something different. It's a nice enough lens optically but it's pretty flimsy for the money and for the "L" designation. Not saying that ANY lens would survive a drop in a fountain like this, but chances are that there are lenses that are more rugged and easier to repair. I'm thinking of the original 24-70. Me personally I'd probably chuck it and buy another nice prime instead. I don't trust any of this IS business to last for more than a few years.