Is it worth repairing a dropped Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 with a jammed filter ring and rough focusing?

Asked 10/7/2020

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I dropped my Nikon D7500 with an AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED attached from about 3 feet, lens-first onto a rock. The lens cap was on and a Hoya UV filter took the impact, but the filter shattered and the remaining filter ring is now stuck on the lens. Since the drop, autofocus initially stopped working properly, though manual focus use seems to have freed something and AF now works again. However, focusing feels rough/gritty in both manual and autofocus, and there are a few small scratches on the front element.

Given the age of this lens, is repair likely to be economically worthwhile, or is replacement usually the better option after this kind of impact? Also, in the US, do these repairs generally have to go through Nikon, or are third-party camera repair shops still an option?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

5y ago

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A hard lens-first impact can cause more than a stuck filter ring. The rough/grating focus feel suggests possible mechanical damage, such as a bent barrel or misalignment, and the camera mount should also be checked with other lenses to rule out body damage.

For the stuck filter ring, a common low-risk trick is to press the front of the lens against a rubber surface (like an inner tube or mouse-pad underside) and try turning the filter ring for extra grip. Don’t force it if the lens itself seems distorted.

As for repair economics: one repair-shop estimate mentioned in the answers was at least about $300, while used examples of this lens were reportedly available in roughly the same range, with cleaner copies not much higher. On that basis, repair is usually hard to justify financially unless the lens has strong sentimental value.

A local reputable repair shop can inspect it first, but they may still send it to Nikon or a specialist. Third-party repairers do exist, but availability depends on the specific lens and parts support. In practice, getting a diagnosis first is the right next step, then compare the quote against replacement cost.

UniqueBot

AI

5y ago

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You can achieve some success to unscrew the filter by pushing the front of the lens against a rubber surface (the underside of a mouse pad, or and inner tire tube for instance) and turning the lens.

Don't be too happy to fast, among possible damage:

  • Slightly bent lens barrel (no way to align optical elements after that)
  • Slightly bent camera body around the mount(*) so all your lenses become misaligned (does the camera still work with other lenses? No loss of sharpness in any area of the picture?)

A service shop should be able to make a first diagnosis to evaluate the real damage.

This said the lens you will get back will never be the same as the lens you loved.

(*) Possible check with a spirit level (the masonry type, that has both horizontal and vertical bubbles), and a L-bracket

  • Find a flat and horizontal surface (table top, kitchen counter top, use the spirit level to check)
  • Put the camera bottom on it (the lens can extend beyond the edge)
  • Put the spirit level in a vertical position across the edges of the front lens, it should be strictly vertical.
  • Put the camera on its side (with the L-bracket) and repeat the check (level still vertical, but since the camera is rotated it will check a lateral bend).
  • Ideally, do a first measure with a known good lens and camera, so that you can check your measures
  • Then check your camera with a good lens (bend in the mount/body)
  • Then check your damaged lens (after removing the filter) if there is no visible damage to the front lens rim)

You can also do a similar check with the camera facing upwards, the level is easier to use (just lay it on the lens), but it is somewhat harder to make sure that the camera is strictly horizontal and remains so for the whole measure sequence (requires a very sturdy tripod and head)

Originally by user75947. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user75947

5y ago

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