Canon RF 28-70 F2.8 IS STM lens cracked under top glass

[Williamhardie]

 

 

 

I was shooting a basketball game when I got hit and my camera fell out my hands and hit the ground. I noticed a small crack on the edge of the lens, but under the top glass (pictured). I don’t know what to expect with the repair and I do not have much money at all to get this repaired. Any knowledge on what o should do is appreciated.

Also, no, I’m not too certain on whether this is affecting my performance for my lens, but I feel it may be.

Any suggestions are appreciated 

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Sorry this happened.  Very first thing. A neck strap or a wrist strap probably would have helped to avoid this situation.  When you're carrying a couple thousand dollars in your hands, it's just something I recommend you do.  Hopefully it's just the lens, not the camera too.

Now let's see what we can do to get the lens repaired.

Start by registering the lens in your MyCanon account.  

MyCanon

From there you can set up a repair request.  Provide as much detail as possible.  You'll be given a repair quote.  Package your lens and get it back to Canon. 

In the future, you may also want to consider a CarePak. This is exactly the type of thing it protects against.  I'm really sorry this happened.  Please take precautions so it doesn't happen again.  Peak design and Black rapids both make great wrist straps.  I use Black Rapids myself.  

[opckieran]

In the future, UV Filters are a good idea. You can get a decent one for $15-$25, it'll keep your lens clean, and it'll take a hit like that instead of your glass.

As for that lens, get as much use out of it while you can. Even if the crack doesn't show up in pictures, who knows if it will spread or not (hard to tell from the pictures). If something shows up at the edge, put your camera into crop mode (assuming FF), and enjoy your new 45-112mm lens.

[deebatman316]

A clear filter would be better. A UV filter is not needed one is built into the image sensor. Also it affects the AF with some lenses.

[jrhoffman75]

I suggest a lens hood instead of a filter, especially a $15 filter.

[ebiggs1]

All that above is well and good about what you shoulda, coulda done but has nothing to do with what you need to do now which is call Canon 1 (800) 652-2666.

I almost hate say this as I have no idea how the broken glass may affect things in the future going forward but the crack may not be visible in your images. The only way to know is to try it. Getting it fixed or replaced is your best option.

[opckieran]

Oh snap I did not know UV filters could interfere with AF! That explains a lot…

[normadel]

Do a web search for "Does a UV filter effect autofocus".

You will find that it DOES NOT. For the same reason dust, dirt, scratches and cracks don't show in images. Too close for them to be focused-on.  A really bad filter can affect images, though, with contrast and optical defects.

I've never seen the claim that a UV filter, by its nature, has any effect on focusing, until this thread.

[deebatman316]

The EF 100-400mm is known not to focus very well with filters attached to.

[wq9nsc]

I second Rick's advice about always having the camera tethered to you in some way.  I shoot most sports with two camera bodies and I use a harness that attaches them via swivel mounts with shock absorbing straps AND they have a backup safety strap to the strap in case the main mount comes loose from not being secured properly.

It isn't just protecting your camera but also the players if you are near the field/court of play.

I also keep clear filters on all of my smaller lenses (70-200 f2.8 and smaller), they offer some protection to the lens but they are there primarily as a sacrificial element so if I need to wipe rain off the lens during an event I can use whatever is handy (often a shirt sleeve 😂 ) without fear of damaging the coating on the much more expensive lens front element.

I also always keep a lens hood in place, they offer a fair amount of protection and for my big primes that is the only thing that offers any protection for the front element since they are too large to take a front "filter".  But make sure those lens hoods are properly mounted and won't pop off!  I was shooting a HS basketball game earlier this year and one of the newspaper reporters had the lens hood of his Nikon go rolling out into the court during the game right into the action.  Several players saw and avoided it so fortunately no tripping or injuries occurred but the officials understandably weren't happy.

And as Ernie said, send it in to Canon for checking/repairing.  You bought a fairly expensive and very nice lens and you won't enjoy it nearly as much until it is checked/repaired even if it still seems to work OK.

Rodger