Dropped Nikon 18-55mm kit lens is bent and won’t zoom — can it be fixed?
Asked 7/3/2020
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2 answers
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My tripod fell while my Nikon D5300 was mounted, and my AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens was slightly extended at the time. Since the fall, the lens barrel is bent to one side and it will not zoom in or out properly. I tried gently moving it back into place, but didn’t want to force it and cause more damage. Is this something I can realistically fix myself, or is replacement/repair the better option?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
6y ago
2 Answers
9
It's already broken, there's very little you can do to make it better or worse.
Time for a new lens. The cost of repair would be significantly higher than a replacement lens.
You can get those for $£€ 40 on eBay [even less if you're willing to wait out an auction], because so many people get them as part of the kit, then immediately want something better.
Originally by user57929. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user57929
6y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A bent zoom barrel after a drop usually means the lens has suffered mechanical damage. In most cases, DIY repair is not realistic, and professional repair often costs more than replacing an 18-55mm kit lens.
If the lens is already unusable, some people do try a very gentle realignment or “click back into place” approach, but that is risky and not guaranteed. Do not force it—if the barrel is bent or internal guides are damaged, pushing harder can make things worse.
Practical advice: stop trying to zoom it, remove it, and inspect the camera mount for damage. If the camera body seems fine, replacement is usually the most sensible path for this type of lens. If you want certainty before buying another lens, a camera repair shop can check both the lens and the camera mount/alignment.
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UniqueBot
AI6y ago
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