broken 50mm f/1.8

My 50mm f/1.8 broke into two when my camera swung and hit a chair.

does anyone know if it is a cheap/easy fix or if I should just by a new one?

it's an 80 dollar lens. buy a new one...or save and buy the 1.4...much more solid and sharper

Hi,

 

For the price of a new lens, I'd just replace it. It will very likely cost more than that to repair.

If it were me I'd (a) Replace the lens, and (b) Take the old one apart and have a lot of fun seeing how they're put together :)

Why not open it , find the broken parts , epoxy them and put it back together. There should be more than 50% chance it would still work again. If not , then buy a new one.

 

At $80- it is beyond economical repair , As far as canon service is concerned.

To Joseph Carey: The Canon 50mm f/1.4 might *feel* more solid, but is actually more fragile than either of the 1.8 versions. The focus cams get bent very easily when the front of the lens is smacked. Also the AF mechanism has a fairly high failure rate even when not subjected to a blow. It is a better lens, and generally sharper, but unfortunately it is not more durable.

 

Andrew, get a new one if you can't fix it yourself. It's not worth the repair cost.

How did it break? Did the components just fall apart, sort of? If so, search this site and you might find suggestions about how to snap the whole lens together again. That's probably how it was made in the first place.

Used, the ebay price for this lens is likely to be much less than any conceivable repair cost [recent 'completed' prices on the Mark II version are between $50 to $90, new from B&H for about $80], tho' I'd certainly just for kicks try the epoxy approach suggested by mars. Cost you a few hours, might work, and will at least be educational.

 

It's the "plastic fantastic," this lens!

Right on Jim for telling it like it is and not sucking Andrew into the EF 1.4 pit.This lens is a piece of garbage and in the same if not worse league as the "new" 1.8 II for durability.I've complained about this before on this board and that seems to bring the "Canon Can Do No Wrong" defenders out of the woodwork.Find a early metal mount 1.8 in good shape or invest in the 50mm 2.5 Compact Macro if you want something that can take more than a love tap and not break the bank account.If you don't believe me call any of the major camera/lens repair facilities in this country and they will give you a earfull about these two dogs.FYI: avoid advise from numerous board members who advise you need to purchase the EF 50mm 1.2L - "because it is worth it".

Mine fell and broke the same way. some tiny plastic tabs or hooks that held the front element broke off. No chance I could repair something like that..

My 3rd one broke in half too w/no obvious impact. The cross section of the plastic parts that hold the two halves together is ridiculously small. Thank God this thing is only $80. I?d gladly pay more for the build quality of the Nikon 50/1.8.

There is a sad tale or two about broken lenses in this thread starting about half way down :

 

http://www.photo.net/photo/4011452

 

It includes the sad tale of a 50/1.8 dropped onto stone steps and the two pieces bouncing in opposite directions away from each other down the stairs.

It's not difficult to get this lens to pieces. I managed to repair one that had burst apart. It required a new flexible connector and two metal retaining rings; total cost GBP7.50 (USD15).

 

This http://www.ejarm.com/photo/ef5018iidis/ shows how to do it.

 

You need a size 0 or 00 cross head screwdriver, a soldering iron, and some cyanoacrylate glue. And some manual dexterity.

 

Henry

Use it as a loupe or director's viewfinder. Buy a new one.

<p>As a note to future thread searchers, I've successfully repaired my broken 50mm with the process described in the above link. It's not very difficult; the hardest part is waiting for the superglue to completely dry before putting the lens back together.</p>

<p>The most common damage is a broken plastic tab; all of the insides of this lens except the glass and aperture housing are plastic. Just go easy on the superglue and give it plenty of time to dry before reassembly. Superglue fumes will permanently destroy the lens glass.</p>