Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: marvpelkey on September 08, 2021, 08:25:24 pm

Title: Broken Lens Conundrum
Post by: marvpelkey on September 08, 2021, 08:25:24 pm
So, over the years, I have been fortunate in that all the camera equipment I have bought has been new, and often a previously purchased lens (or other item) was used as a trade-in for a newer purchase. Which meant the equipment was always in good working order.

A couple years ago, contrary to my usual pattern, I purchased a pristine used Sigma 150mm macro at an exceptional price. An older version, with no AF. It served me well since then and helped produce some great, quite sharp, images.

A few weeks ago, I ran into an issue where the camera, with this lens attached, seized up and refused to do anything. I could not change any setting, including turning it off, and the only recourse was to remove the battery. The camera worked fine after that, with any of my other lenses attached, leading me to believe it was lens related. On advice, I cleaned the lens' connections (quite dirty) and it began working fine again. Tried the lens some days later and the same seizing issue re-occurred, confirming to me that it was the lens.

As I needed a macro fairly quickly and, not wishing to risk using the Sigma, I opted to buy a new lens (IRIX 150mm macro, and boy is it a beaut!).

So, my question - What does one do with a lens which does/does not work consistently and for which the owner does not wish to risk a costly service, only to discover the lens is unsalvageable? It seems weird to just throw it away (it still looks in pretty good shape).

I considered offering it free to anyone, for the cost of shipping, but don't know if anyone is willing to take a risk, either.

Suggestion?

Marv




Title: Re: Broken Lens Conundrum
Post by: Rhossydd on September 10, 2021, 03:20:58 am
I'd just list on eBay as broken and for spares or repair with no reserve.
A repair shop might buy it for spare parts, especially if the outer casing is in good order. Someone might also fancy giving a repair a go, it could be as simple as a loose wire inside the lens mount, but if it's intermittent electronics it's probably beyond help.
Title: Re: Broken Lens Conundrum
Post by: marvpelkey on September 10, 2021, 08:57:31 pm
Rhossyd,

Thanks for the response.

For a lens of it's vintage, it (visually) appears to be in quite fine shape, so I may just follow your suggestion.

Marv
Title: Re: Broken Lens Conundrum
Post by: mcbroomf on September 11, 2021, 05:31:57 am
If you want to keep using it then I'd suggest just taping over the contacts (I assume it has a manual aperture ring .. if not this will not work as you'll have no control).

If this does not do it, or you want to get rid of it anyway as you now have the Irix then I'd suggest donating it to a thrift/church store etc with an attached paper saying it has an electrical problem, may be parts only.  But I have a low tolerance for spending time dealing with little/no value parts.  YMMV.