24-105mm lens hit a marble floor: Looking for tips for lens repair

[A_Random_Dude]

Hi there:

I was recently taking pictures inside a church with my R5 Mk II and 24–105 f/4 L lens. Not paying attention to where my feet were, I slipped and fell down a step onto a marble floor, with my body taking the brunt of the force, but with the camera and lens taking their share as well. The camera seems to be OK, but the lens I'm not quite as sure about.

I've taken literally hundreds of pictures since this mishap, and the lens focuses and zooms normally, and I'm able to open/close the aperture like I usually do. The thing that concerns me, though, is that when I wipe the front element of the lens with a cleaning cloth, I feel a bit of mechanical vibration in the lens, as if something is moving in response to the action of my wiping the element. This vibration definitely wasn't there before, and it isn't present in any of my other lenses.

I can't even remember where I got the lens from; could have been B&H, UPP, MPB, or KEH, and I seem to have lost the email. For this reason, I haven't bothered to look to Canon for repairs since I can't provide proof of purchase. Someone put me in touch with the Society of Photo-Technologists, and I emailed them. I did get a response from their admin, but haven't heard anything back for a couple of weeks, even with a follow-up email from me.

I'm wondering if anyone can point me towards somewhere I could get the lens checked out and repaired if necessary.

Thanks very much!

[LeeP]

"The thing that concerns me, though, is that when I wipe the front element of the lens with a cleaning cloth, I feel a bit of mechanical vibration in the lens, as if something is moving in response to the action of my wiping the element."

Is the camera on when you do this? My 28mm RF pancake lens will shudder if the camera is on and anything gets in front of the lens such as putting on a lens cap.

[A_Random_Dude]

"Is the camera on when you do this? My 28mm RF pancake lens will shudder if the camera is on and anything gets in front of the lens such as putting on a lens cap."

It doesn't seem to matter whether the camera is on or off, or indeed if the lens is attached or not. Just before I packed it up to ship it yesterday, I took off the lens cap and wiped the front element again, and sure enough, the vibration still occurred. I really do think that the force of my falling jarred something in there. According to my tracking number, Canon should get the lens Monday morning, so hopefully I'll learn more some time next week.

[LeeP]

"It doesn't seem to matter whether the camera is on or off, or indeed if the lens is attached or not."

I understand better now. The lens has something loose--possibly--and the vibration is not caused by the camera trying to focus. 

Best of luck to you in getting your lens back quickly and painlessly so that you can continue enjoying it. Let us know how it comes out.

[A_Random_Dude]

Much appreciated, and I'll definitely let you know how it goes!

[A_Random_Dude]

Update: Canon received the lens yesterday morning (Nov. 24), and emailed me today with a cost of repair. It wasn't cheap, but OTOH, it was less than a third of what a new 24-105 f/4 would cost, so I gave them the go-ahead. Once I get the lens back and put it through its paces, I'll report back.

[ebiggs1]

Believe me you did the right thing. Canon will go completely through the lens.

[A_Random_Dude]

So, here we go:

Got the lens back from Canon today. Here was their message: "…it was found that the filter sleeve assembly screws had been impacted causing the parts to become loose and rattle. Adjustments were carried out on the filter sleeve assembly screws. Product functions were confirmed. The remaining play in the filter sleeve is normal when compared to multiple known good RF 24–105 4.0 lenses. The firmware was also upgraded to the most current version..."

Put it on my R5 Mk II and took a few test shots. Seems that everything is as it should be, and it's a great load off my mind that I did have the lens checked out. Thanks again to those who pointed me towards using Canon to make the repairs, and Happy Holidays to all!

[LeeP]

It's good that Canon was so thorough and that they "made you whole" again. Congrats.

[ebiggs1]

Piece of mind is a good thing. 🙂