Originally posted by carlb Rather than trying to get a specific diagnosis from the members here I'm just wondering if anyone has an idea of how bad the damage might be and if it's likely to be an expensive fix, or if it sounds like it's actually something that's relatively easy to sort out. CRK charge $60 to do an inspection and estimate, but if it's going to cost hundreds of dollars to fix then I might just be better off buying a new one (if that's what I decided to do). All thoughts appreciated.
Carl, my guess is it took the impact on the front and jolted the zoom backwards sheering or detach the internal zoom lever.
The other unknown would be are the optics all still aligned?
It depends a lot on how severe the impact was.
I agree with everyone else on sending it in for evaluation for $60. Then it will be much easier to make a decision.
If it's a write-off then you could at least sell it as a parts lens to recoup something back.
Originally posted by Des If I may ask a not-completely-irrelevant question: how have found the 16-85? I have spent several years to-ing and fro-ing about whether to get one to replace my 18-135. My "firm" decision in 2017 was to get the DA 20-40 instead and keep the 18-135. I like the 20-40 (paired with the 15) so much that since then have rarely used the 18-135 - just that Limited zing. I'm not sure whether the 16-85 would end up in the same position. Or conversely whether the convenience and corner resolution of the 16-85 would leave the 20-40 reserved for special occasions.
Yes, I did the to-ing and fro-ing on the 16-85 for years as well
I finally have it together with the 16-50, 20-40 and the 18-250 (never had the 18-135)
To be honest I haven't bonded with the 16-85 yet. I'm a little underwhelmed and maybe my expectations were too high. And I think that's a minority view.
It's good, particularly at the wide end. It's edge performance is superior to the 16-50 (and 18-135 from what I've seen), but I prefer the rendering of the 16-50. I'm still going back and forth. But one of those two will get the chop.
For 16-85 vs 20-40, for me they serve two different purposes. The 20-40 is more of a general purpose light, compact walk-around.
The 16-85 / 16-50 are more for landscape work. Of course they can all do double-duty, but that just how I view them.
Hope that helps Des.