I was trying to take some photos on Oxford Street yesterday when I noticed that my EF f/1.8 50mm lens wouldn’t focus anymore.
Taking a closer look at it, I saw that the focusing ring had snapped out from the the front of the lens body, but only on one side. So, the front of the lens was hanging out an an angle… I really should have taken a photo, it’s hard to describe what I mean.
It took me about half an hour of fiddling, but eventually I managed to slide the centre section back in to the lens body and snap the focusing ring back into place. AF/MF both seem to work.
The weird thing is trying to figure out how it happened. Only 10 minutes beforehand, I’d been flicking through the earlier photos from the day in Starbucks, and I didn’t notice the damage. Obviously I must have grabbed the lens hood sharply, or otherwise knocked it.
Anyway, I’m not completely convinced that the lens is back to normal. I took some snaphshots at various apertures, and I can’t say that I’m happy with the sharpness. I’ve had the lens for about a year. Given the build quality (it’s light, and plasticky), maybe I shouldn’t have expected too much. Given the price, getting a second one is not going to be the end of the world. I’ve always been extremely happy with the image quality of the optic, and would still recommend it. Just don’t go being as clumsy as I was…
Oh, and I did take a few shots before and after the accident, some with the kit lens; I’ll make an effort to post some later.
Clumsiness must be contagious too … I decided to
dropthrow my camera off the breakfast room table today, and of course, the lens cover was off. I think it’s ok…. 🙁