24-105L, loose front element?

[Ryan_]

Hi all

Today I dropped by camera bag from about 3 feet onto hard packed snow. It was freezing and I had been out for a while and I was taking the bag off my shoulder to put into the car and I was so layered up and really cold that it just slipped out of my hands somehow. Pretty embarrassing, has never happened before. The fall honestly wasn't THAT hard though.

Anyways, I noticed after this that my 24-105 front element (specifically, the metal that holds the lens cap which also holds the front element) seems a little loose now? It wiggles slightly. I really can't tell if it was like this before I dropped the bag or not. I only noticed because I opened the bag looking for problems after I dropped it. Its not so terrible, its more something you can feel and only see under close inspection. None of my other lenses are loose like this though. I haven't got a chance to test it out yet, but I will do that later. Just posting here to see if anyone can feel their 24-105 and see if something similar happens? I really need this lens for an event I'll be shooting soon. I could shoot without it if I really had too but I'd rather not.


Thanks,
Ryan

 

[old-pr-pix]

No movement in mine. There is very, very slight play in the entire front assembly allowing back and forth rotation of maybe 1/10th of a degree; but, otherwise no movement. Front element seems to be tightly held. It doesn't sound like the drop you described would be sufficient to do any damage though. 3 foot drop onto snow - even hard packed unless you are saying it was turned to ice - inside a bag (assume some padding there). Cold might be a factor though. Was camera/lens at room temperature or was it cold? Obviously testing is in order.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Its likely that the screws holding the front element in place were pulled loose when it dropped. They likely stripped the threads of the plastic they are attached to. If the lug holding the screw is broken, then get it fixed.

Its very easy to check this, and you might be able to fix a stripped hole by putting a strip of thing plastic in the hole and then putting the screw in place. Be sure you do not use a Phillips screwdriver though, or things could get a lot worse. A JIS screwdriver is used, it looks like a Phillips, but it is different.

Roger Cicala has a article on cleaning popular lenses. The 2nd part covers several popular lenses which are all constructed in a similar manner, The instructions cover a 17-55, but apply to the 24-105.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/05/a-few-easy-lens-dustings


READ THE ARTICLE thenTry tightening the screws, first. Note, you can decenter the lens element if it isn't already decentered.

 

[Ryan_]

No movement in mine. There is very, very slight play in the entire front assembly allowing back and forth rotation of maybe 1/10th of a degree; but, otherwise no movement. Front element seems to be tightly held. It doesn't sound like the drop you described would be sufficient to do any damage though. 3 foot drop onto snow - even hard packed unless you are saying it was turned to ice - inside a bag (assume some padding there). Cold might be a factor though. Was camera/lens at room temperature or was it cold? Obviously testing is in order.

Good to hear. That sounds like mine. The lens was cold, was around 0F windchill out. but now that its warmed up since then, its moving the same as it was when it was cold. Its not the actual piece of glass thats moving, but the front assembly, very slight as you described. And yea the bag is nicely padded, although the 24-105 was where the camera with a lens usually sits, so it wasn't snug in its own compartment as it usually is. Sometimes I place it there when I'm walking around and my camera is out in my hands.

I'm pretty sure I'm just being paranoid, looking for issues after a drop. When I get some time later I will test it and post back.

Its likely that the screws holding the front element in place were pulled loose when it dropped. They likely stripped the threads of the plastic they are attached to.

Its very easy to check this, and you might be able to fix a stripped hole by putting a strip of thing plastic in the hole and then putting the screw in place. Be sure you do not use a Phillips screwdriver though, or things could get a lot worse. A JIS screwdriver is used, it looks like a Phillips, but it is different.

Roger Cicala has a article on cleaning popular lenses. The 2nd part covers several popular lenses which are all constructed in a similar manner, including the 24-105.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/05/a-few-easy-lens-dustings


READ THE ARTICLE thenTry tightening the screws, first. Note, you can decenter the lens element if it isn't already decentered.

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Hey thanks for that! I'm definitely checking this out later on when I get some time to sit down and test it. Much appreciated.

 

[Ryan_]

Well, I removed the sticker to see if the screws were loose and they all seemed to be tight and secure. So I put the sticker back on. Did some limited testing and I don't see any major issues. I stopped down to f8 which maybe skewed the tests a bit but I figure if there was something really wrong with the lens it'd show up regardless of aperture.

One thing I noticed is that when zoomed to 105, the front assembly is much tighter than it is at 24mm. I wouldn't say 100% like my 16-35 but very close to it.

Pretty sure I'm out of warranty so I'll let it rock for now. Appreciate the help!