Small broken lens issue-can it be fixed?

Murfy · 09-05-2016, 06:18 AM

This is the first time I have broken a lens and I was wondering if it could just be glued. My camera fell out of my bag a few weeks ago and it landed on asphalt. I just noticed it a few days ago so it must getting looser.

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**csa** · 09-05-2016, 06:42 AM

What lens is it? If it's a fairly expensive lens, might be worthwhile to check into having it fixed professionally. If not; you could try a super glue of some kind (others can recommend which is best), and be able to clamp the broken part while the glue dries.

Sorry this happened to you.

Murfy · 09-05-2016, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by csa

What lens is it? If it's a fairly expensive lens, might be worthwhile to check into having it fixed professionally. If not; you could try a super glue of some kind (others can recommend which is best), and be able to clamp the broken part while the glue dries.

Sorry this happened to you.

It's the Pentax 18-135. The camera also has some black flecks in the viewfinder but otherwise works fine. The lens also seems to be ok other than this crack.

**csa** · 09-05-2016, 07:17 AM

It would be worthwhile to see what a repair would be from Precision, or from KEH; before trying to glue it; as this is a nice lens.

JohnX · 09-05-2016, 07:30 AM

...and, if the impact was sufficient to break the plastic it might also have caused misalignment in one or more of the lens elements, so check out shots made with this lens for signs of optical problems.

**BigMackCam** · 09-05-2016, 08:28 AM

That's a real shame. Honestly, I'd be surprised if an impact sufficient to cause that damage didn't also damage the mechanism for moving the lens barrel in and out, as well as potentially knocking the optics out of alignment.

If it's economically viable to do so, I would put the lens in for repair somewhere.

At the very least, I'd run some tests to make sure it focuses accurately at the wide, mid and tele parts of the range, and isn't unusually soft in any parts of the image frame. The last thing you'd want is to take a bunch of photos in the coming weeks and months, then find later that they're unusable because of IQ issues.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on...

stevebrot · 09-05-2016, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by JohnX

...and, if the impact was sufficient to break the plastic it might also have caused misalignment in one or more of the lens elements, so check out shots made with this lens for signs of optical problems.

I was told at a young age that a dropped camera or lens, particularly one with obvious physical damage, should be considered broken until it has been professionally evaluated and fixed. The inner workings of a modern zoom provide multiple opportunities for breakage and shifting of alignment.

Steve

Murfy · 09-05-2016, 01:20 PM

Originally posted by JohnX

...and, if the impact was sufficient to break the plastic it might also have caused misalignment in one or more of the lens elements, so check out shots made with this lens for signs of optical problems.

I have been using it about 4 weeks now since the drop but I just noticed this. I have been using it nearly everyday and I have noticed no issues with my photos, but I will look through again. I only noticed this while putting on my lens cap one day. It may have not been from that fall but it seems more likely since I can't think of anything else that would have caused it.

**Alex645** · 09-05-2016, 02:11 PM

Assuming you donʻt have it under some accident/drop warranty, and that youʻve run tests and canʻt discern any optical or mechanical problems, I would try just a bead of Superglue and clamp it.

However, if you use filters or a screw-in lens hood, and plan on taking them off and on from time to time, then youʻre best off sending it for pro repair.

AquaDome · 09-05-2016, 05:35 PM

A UV curing glue would be best, like 5-Second Fix. Super Glue would probably be okay. Don't use Gorilla Glue. It expands and oozes into places you don't want it to go, and it doesn't really stick to plastic very well.

stevebrot · 09-06-2016, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by AquaDome

Super Glue would probably be okay.

The vapors are not safe around many plastics, and will craze some optics...just a cautionary note.

Steve

**csa** · 09-06-2016, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The vapors are not safe around many plastics, and will craze some optics...just a cautionary note.

Steve

It also may discolor the black plastic, as no matter how careful you are, it goes where you don't want it to go.
With a lens of this quality, I'd send it in for repair. This crack may expand, and start letting dust, moisture in.

"It may have not been from that fall but it seems more likely since I can't think of anything else that would have caused it."

That took quite a blow to cause that much damage; so I would say definitely the fall caused it.

09-05-2016, 02:11 PM	#9
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Assuming you donʻt have it under some accident/drop warranty, and that youʻve run tests and canʻt discern any optical or mechanical problems, I would try just a bead of Superglue and clamp it. However, if you use filters or a screw-in lens hood, and plan on taking them off and on from time to time, then youʻre best off sending it for pro repair. Last edited by Alex645; 09-05-2016 at 06:25 PM. Reason: aquadomeʻs comment

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09-05-2016, 06:42 AM	#2
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	What lens is it? If it's a fairly expensive lens, might be worthwhile to check into having it fixed professionally. If not; you could try a super glue of some kind (others can recommend which is best), and be able to clamp the broken part while the glue dries. Sorry this happened to you.

09-05-2016, 07:08 AM	#3
Murfy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 803 Original Poster	Originally posted by csa What lens is it? If it's a fairly expensive lens, might be worthwhile to check into having it fixed professionally. If not; you could try a super glue of some kind (others can recommend which is best), and be able to clamp the broken part while the glue dries. Sorry this happened to you. It's the Pentax 18-135. The camera also has some black flecks in the viewfinder but otherwise works fine. The lens also seems to be ok other than this crack.

09-05-2016, 07:17 AM	#4
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	It would be worthwhile to see what a repair would be from Precision, or from KEH; before trying to glue it; as this is a nice lens.

09-05-2016, 07:30 AM	#5
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	...and, if the impact was sufficient to break the plastic it might also have caused misalignment in one or more of the lens elements, so check out shots made with this lens for signs of optical problems.

09-05-2016, 08:28 AM	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,657	That's a real shame. Honestly, I'd be surprised if an impact sufficient to cause that damage didn't also damage the mechanism for moving the lens barrel in and out, as well as potentially knocking the optics out of alignment. If it's economically viable to do so, I would put the lens in for repair somewhere. At the very least, I'd run some tests to make sure it focuses accurately at the wide, mid and tele parts of the range, and isn't unusually soft in any parts of the image frame. The last thing you'd want is to take a bunch of photos in the coming weeks and months, then find later that they're unusable because of IQ issues. Good luck, and let us know how you get on...

09-05-2016, 10:17 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by JohnX ...and, if the impact was sufficient to break the plastic it might also have caused misalignment in one or more of the lens elements, so check out shots made with this lens for signs of optical problems. I was told at a young age that a dropped camera or lens, particularly one with obvious physical damage, should be considered broken until it has been professionally evaluated and fixed. The inner workings of a modern zoom provide multiple opportunities for breakage and shifting of alignment. Steve

09-05-2016, 01:20 PM	#8
Murfy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 803 Original Poster	Originally posted by JohnX ...and, if the impact was sufficient to break the plastic it might also have caused misalignment in one or more of the lens elements, so check out shots made with this lens for signs of optical problems. I have been using it about 4 weeks now since the drop but I just noticed this. I have been using it nearly everyday and I have noticed no issues with my photos, but I will look through again. I only noticed this while putting on my lens cap one day. It may have not been from that fall but it seems more likely since I can't think of anything else that would have caused it.

09-05-2016, 05:35 PM	#10
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	A UV curing glue would be best, like 5-Second Fix. Super Glue would probably be okay. Don't use Gorilla Glue. It expands and oozes into places you don't want it to go, and it doesn't really stick to plastic very well.

09-06-2016, 08:04 AM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by AquaDome Super Glue would probably be okay. The vapors are not safe around many plastics, and will craze some optics...just a cautionary note. Steve

09-06-2016, 08:31 AM	#12
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Originally posted by stevebrot The vapors are not safe around many plastics, and will craze some optics...just a cautionary note. Steve It also may discolor the black plastic, as no matter how careful you are, it goes where you don't want it to go. With a lens of this quality, I'd send it in for repair. This crack may expand, and start letting dust, moisture in. "It may have not been from that fall but it seems more likely since I can't think of anything else that would have caused it." That took quite a blow to cause that much damage; so I would say definitely the fall caused it.

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