Tripod fell over, lens jammed

Phyllis · 07-26-2018, 06:24 PM

The kit lens (18-50mm DC WR RE) that came with my KS-2 suffered when I was relocating my tripod from a slope to another position on my driveway that slopes opposite of the first. I set the tripod down and like a dummy, let go of it to readjust the legs for the new sloped area. The tripod promptly went straight over being off balanced and it landed hard directly on the lens.

The barrel is jammed at an angle and won’t turn. I had a polarizing lens on so it’s scruffed up from hitting the driveway so hard but the actual front of my lens is undamaged.

I do not hear anything rattling nor broken if I gently shake the lens. I tried very gently to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck.

I know this is a cheap lens comparatively but would it even be worth taking it to a camera repair shop?

It’s my favorite lens to photograph my acrylic paintings that I sell.

Before I drive an hour to the camera store to have it looked at, I thought I’d run this but the forum.

Common sense is telling me I’d probably spend as much in repairing as I would just buying a whole new lens.

Thoughts anyone?

PS: I only had my iphone to shoot the condition of the lens to post here.

Attached Images

Not a Number · 07-26-2018, 06:39 PM - **1 Like**

It would probably be more economical to replace the lens rather than having it repaired. You can send it to Precision Camera for an estimate and in the meantime shop around for prices on replacements.

**Larrymc** · 07-26-2018, 07:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Phyllis

The kit lens (18-50mm DC WR RE) that came with my KS-2 suffered when I was relocating my tripod from a slope to another position on my driveway that slopes opposite of the first. I set the tripod down and like a dummy, let go of it to readjust the legs for the new sloped area. The tripod promptly went straight over being off balanced and it landed hard directly on the lens.

The barrel is jammed at an angle and won’t turn. I had a polarizing lens on so it’s scruffed up from hitting the driveway so hard but the actual front of my lens is undamaged.

I do not hear anything rattling nor broken if I gently shake the lens. I tried very gently to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck.

I know this is a cheap lens comparatively but would it even be worth taking it to a camera repair shop?

It’s my favorite lens to photograph my acrylic paintings that I sell.

Before I drive an hour to the camera store to have it looked at, I thought I’d run this but the forum.

Common sense is telling me I’d probably spend as much in repairing as I would just buying a whole new lens.

Thoughts anyone?

PS: I only had my iphone to shoot the condition of the lens to post here.

Find a good used copy and buy it, you'll spend more than its worth getting it fixed, if it can be fixed. BTW, why were you changing the leg length to relocate the camera when you could have just rotated the camera mount on the tripod to close to the angle needed then get the tripod legs adjusted after you have it stabilized?

**david94903** · 07-26-2018, 09:26 PM - **1 Like**

Same thing happened to my wife when she was using my FA 100mm F2.8 Macro. Totally jammed the focus ring. And not repairable. Had to console myself by purchasing the D-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR. Larrymc is right, probably better to just find a used one. Or better yet, upgrade to the DA 18-135.

**ChipB** · 07-26-2018, 10:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by david94903

Same thing happened to my wife when she was using my FA 100mm F2.8 Macro. Totally jammed the focus ring. And not repairable. Had to console myself by purchasing the D-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR. Larrymc is right, probably better to just find a used one. Or better yet, upgrade to the DA 18-135.

Upgrading to the 18-135 is a good idea. I had one and passed it on to my daughter who uses it as her main lens.

And, like the others Phyllis, I suspect your lens is a goner.

Photobill · 07-26-2018, 10:20 PM - **1 Like**

With shipping cost what they are I think its a "NO BRAINER" go with what you already suspect.
We have all done things that make us scratch your heads afterwords. The good thing is it was not a DA* lens 😉

**rogerstg** · 07-27-2018, 04:24 AM

Originally posted by Phyllis

The kit lens (18-50mm DC WR RE)I tried very gently to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck.

Try less gently

Maybe try tapping in the other side to un-jam it.. After all, it's toast anyway so what have you got to lose?

**AstroDave** · 07-27-2018, 06:12 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Phyllis

I do not hear anything rattling nor broken if I gently shake the lens. I tried very gently to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck.

Originally posted by rogerstg

Try less gently

Maybe try tapping in the other side to un-jam it.. After all, it's toast anyway so what have you got to lose?

I agree. As others have noted, it's not worth fixing, so consider it broken. You can't make it any worse, and might just get it back to operating. Try pulling a lot less gently!

**rogerstg** · 07-27-2018, 06:22 AM - **1 Like**

You can heat it in the sun too: aluminum expands quite a bit. Let it sit in the hot sun in 5 minutes increments, trying to unstick it at each interval. Also, I'd probably cover the lens cap with tin foil: there's no point in heating the plastic or glass.

Phyllis · 07-27-2018, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Larrymc

Find a good used copy and buy it, you'll spend more than its worth getting it fixed, if it can be fixed. BTW, why were you changing the leg length to relocate the camera when you could have just rotated the camera mount on the tripod to close to the angle needed then get the tripod legs adjusted after you have it stabilized?

I moved 25 feet away from the original location which sloped backward. The new area sloped forward so when I set the tripod down, I let go to adjust the leg to compensate for the change in the degree of slope and over it went. It just seemed easier to adjust the leg rather than rotate the camera. Lesson learned.

Phyllis · 07-27-2018, 09:06 AM

Originally posted by Photobill

With shipping cost what they are I think its a "NO BRAINER" go with what you already suspect.
We have all done things that make us scratch your heads afterwords. The good thing is it was not a DA* lens 😉

Even tho it’s a kit lens, my stomach churned watching it hit before I could catch it.

Phyllis · 07-27-2018, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

It would probably be more economical to replace the lens rather than having it repaired. You can send it to Precision Camera for an estimate and in the meantime shop around for prices on replacements.

More than likely I’m going to just replace it when I factor in shipping for a repair.

Phyllis · 07-27-2018, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by rogerstg

Try less gently

Maybe try tapping in the other side to un-jam it.. After all, it's toast anyway so what have you got to lose?

True! I do have a jeweler’s set of screwdrivers. At this point, I guess I could try to see if I can get the barrel realigned. Then if it works, take some test shots to check for lens damage. I really have nothing to lose with the lens at this point do I?

sjwoodworth · 07-27-2018, 10:21 AM

Originally posted by Phyllis

True! I do have a jeweler’s set of screwdrivers. At this point, I guess I could try to see if I can get the barrel realigned. Then if it works, take some test shots to check for lens damage. I really have nothing to lose with the lens at this point do I?

That's what I'd do too! Good luck with it

Not a Number · 07-27-2018, 10:50 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Phyllis

True! I do have a jeweler’s set of screwdrivers. At this point, I guess I could try to see if I can get the barrel realigned. Then if it works, take some test shots to check for lens damage. I really have nothing to lose with the lens at this point do I?

You need a set of JIS drivers, not Philips. JIS drivers are less likely the strip the heads on the screws.

07-26-2018, 06:24 PM	#1
Phyllis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tennessee Photos: Albums Posts: 181	Tripod fell over, lens jammed The kit lens (18-50mm DC WR RE) that came with my KS-2 suffered when I was relocating my tripod from a slope to another position on my driveway that slopes opposite of the first. I set the tripod down and like a dummy, let go of it to readjust the legs for the new sloped area. The tripod promptly went straight over being off balanced and it landed hard directly on the lens. The barrel is jammed at an angle and won’t turn. I had a polarizing lens on so it’s scruffed up from hitting the driveway so hard but the actual front of my lens is undamaged. I do not hear anything rattling nor broken if I gently shake the lens. I tried very gently to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck. I know this is a cheap lens comparatively but would it even be worth taking it to a camera repair shop? It’s my favorite lens to photograph my acrylic paintings that I sell. Before I drive an hour to the camera store to have it looked at, I thought I’d run this but the forum. Common sense is telling me I’d probably spend as much in repairing as I would just buying a whole new lens. Thoughts anyone? PS: I only had my iphone to shoot the condition of the lens to post here. Attached Images

07-26-2018, 07:50 PM - 1 Like	#3
Larrymc Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mississippi, USA Posts: 5,252	Originally posted by Phyllis The kit lens (18-50mm DC WR RE) that came with my KS-2 suffered when I was relocating my tripod from a slope to another position on my driveway that slopes opposite of the first. I set the tripod down and like a dummy, let go of it to readjust the legs for the new sloped area. The tripod promptly went straight over being off balanced and it landed hard directly on the lens. The barrel is jammed at an angle and won’t turn. I had a polarizing lens on so it’s scruffed up from hitting the driveway so hard but the actual front of my lens is undamaged. I do not hear anything rattling nor broken if I gently shake the lens. I tried very gently to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck. I know this is a cheap lens comparatively but would it even be worth taking it to a camera repair shop? It’s my favorite lens to photograph my acrylic paintings that I sell. Before I drive an hour to the camera store to have it looked at, I thought I’d run this but the forum. Common sense is telling me I’d probably spend as much in repairing as I would just buying a whole new lens. Thoughts anyone? PS: I only had my iphone to shoot the condition of the lens to post here. Find a good used copy and buy it, you'll spend more than its worth getting it fixed, if it can be fixed. BTW, why were you changing the leg length to relocate the camera when you could have just rotated the camera mount on the tripod to close to the angle needed then get the tripod legs adjusted after you have it stabilized? Last edited by Larrymc; 07-26-2018 at 07:56 PM.

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07-26-2018, 06:39 PM - 1 Like	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It would probably be more economical to replace the lens rather than having it repaired. You can send it to Precision Camera for an estimate and in the meantime shop around for prices on replacements.

07-26-2018, 09:26 PM - 1 Like	#4
david94903 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Rafael, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 806	Same thing happened to my wife when she was using my FA 100mm F2.8 Macro. Totally jammed the focus ring. And not repairable. Had to console myself by purchasing the D-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR. Larrymc is right, probably better to just find a used one. Or better yet, upgrade to the DA 18-135.

07-26-2018, 10:01 PM - 1 Like	#5
ChipB Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Eau Claire, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,701	Originally posted by david94903 Same thing happened to my wife when she was using my FA 100mm F2.8 Macro. Totally jammed the focus ring. And not repairable. Had to console myself by purchasing the D-FA 100mm F2.8 Macro WR. Larrymc is right, probably better to just find a used one. Or better yet, upgrade to the DA 18-135. Upgrading to the 18-135 is a good idea. I had one and passed it on to my daughter who uses it as her main lens. And, like the others Phyllis, I suspect your lens is a goner.

07-26-2018, 10:20 PM - 1 Like	#6
Photobill Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 228	With shipping cost what they are I think its a "NO BRAINER" go with what you already suspect. We have all done things that make us scratch your heads afterwords. The good thing is it was not a DA* lens 😉

07-27-2018, 04:24 AM	#7
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	Originally posted by Phyllis The kit lens (18-50mm DC WR RE)I tried *very gently* to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck. Try less gently Maybe try tapping in the other side to un-jam it.. After all, it's toast anyway so what have you got to lose?

07-27-2018, 06:12 AM - 1 Like	#8
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	Originally posted by Phyllis I do not hear anything rattling nor broken if I gently shake the lens. I tried very gently to see if I could pull the jammed part of the barrel out but no luck. Originally posted by rogerstg Try less gently Maybe try tapping in the other side to un-jam it.. After all, it's toast anyway so what have you got to lose? I agree. As others have noted, it's not worth fixing, so consider it broken. You can't make it any worse, and might just get it back to operating. Try pulling a lot less gently!

07-27-2018, 06:22 AM - 1 Like	#9
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	You can heat it in the sun too: aluminum expands quite a bit. Let it sit in the hot sun in 5 minutes increments, trying to unstick it at each interval. Also, I'd probably cover the lens cap with tin foil: there's no point in heating the plastic or glass.

07-27-2018, 09:04 AM	#10
Phyllis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tennessee Photos: Albums Posts: 181 Original Poster	Originally posted by Larrymc Find a good used copy and buy it, you'll spend more than its worth getting it fixed, if it can be fixed. BTW, why were you changing the leg length to relocate the camera when you could have just rotated the camera mount on the tripod to close to the angle needed then get the tripod legs adjusted after you have it stabilized? I moved 25 feet away from the original location which sloped backward. The new area sloped forward so when I set the tripod down, I let go to adjust the leg to compensate for the change in the degree of slope and over it went. It just seemed easier to adjust the leg rather than rotate the camera. Lesson learned.

07-27-2018, 09:06 AM	#11
Phyllis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tennessee Photos: Albums Posts: 181 Original Poster	Originally posted by Photobill With shipping cost what they are I think its a "NO BRAINER" go with what you already suspect. We have all done things that make us scratch your heads afterwords. The good thing is it was not a DA* lens 😉 Even tho it’s a kit lens, my stomach churned watching it hit before I could catch it.

07-27-2018, 09:08 AM	#12
Phyllis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tennessee Photos: Albums Posts: 181 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number It would probably be more economical to replace the lens rather than having it repaired. You can send it to Precision Camera for an estimate and in the meantime shop around for prices on replacements. More than likely I’m going to just replace it when I factor in shipping for a repair.

07-27-2018, 09:10 AM	#13
Phyllis Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Tennessee Photos: Albums Posts: 181 Original Poster	Originally posted by rogerstg Try less gently Maybe try tapping in the other side to un-jam it.. After all, it's toast anyway so what have you got to lose? True! I do have a jeweler’s set of screwdrivers. At this point, I guess I could try to see if I can get the barrel realigned. Then if it works, take some test shots to check for lens damage. I really have nothing to lose with the lens at this point do I?

07-27-2018, 10:21 AM	#14
sjwoodworth Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 107	Originally posted by Phyllis True! I do have a jeweler’s set of screwdrivers. At this point, I guess I could try to see if I can get the barrel realigned. Then if it works, take some test shots to check for lens damage. I really have nothing to lose with the lens at this point do I? That's what I'd do too! Good luck with it

07-27-2018, 10:50 AM - 1 Like	#15
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by Phyllis True! I do have a jeweler’s set of screwdrivers. At this point, I guess I could try to see if I can get the barrel realigned. Then if it works, take some test shots to check for lens damage. I really have nothing to lose with the lens at this point do I? You need a set of JIS drivers, not Philips. JIS drivers are less likely the strip the heads on the screws.