Disaster has struck...

[Walczak Photo]

Well...it finally happened...
The other day I was out and about hiking around downtown Cleveland with my camera gear and the strap on my camera bag let go (the stupid plastic buckle broke). As the bag hit the ground, my beloved Tamron 70-300mm which I'm always shooting my mouth off about, popped out of the bag and hit the sidewalk bending the mounting ring (bad karma I guess). The lens doesn't appear to be otherwise damaged, but it won't go on the camera at the moment. I think I can fix it, but in the event that I can't, does anyone know where to get spare parts for this lens from? I have emailed Tamron but have not heard back from them yet...and since this type of issue clearly wouldn't be covered by the warrenty (especially since the lens was purchased used to begin with) I'm not really sure I expect to hear from them beyond having them tell me to send it in for repair. I -KNOW- this is an easy repair -if- I can get a replacement mounting ring...it's just 8 tiny screws. If push comes to shove, I even have a Sigma lens that got scrapped and I can drill the mounting ring off that one to fit...but if I can get an actual Tamron mounting ring for this lens, that would be much preferred.

Any thoughts/suggestions here? As always, thanks!

Peace,
Jim

[Bonish Photo]

Google Tamron Camera Lens Repair, and it might come up with the company info on how to mail it back to the manufacturer to get fixed properly.

I dropped a Sigma lens and broke something inside the lens so it wouldnt work, and mailed it back to Sigma, paid $110 and had it back within a week. Sigma and Canon are both phenominal when it comes to repairs, I have never had to use Tamron.

Unfortunatly I'm very rough with my equipment and one or more pieces are regularly at the Repair Shop...take it with a grain of salt as it is your pride and joy and just get it fixed the right way from the manufacturer

[Walczak Photo]

Hey pat,
I do appreciate the suggestion, but for that $110...let's face it, I could simply get another one. Beyond that, this really is an easy repair...I've done some work on lenses before (as well as electronics and such in general) and this type of thing really is a piece of cake. 4 little screws that hold the mounting plate to the lens and 4 more little screws that hold the plate to the electrical contacts...no biggie at all...20 minutes and 2 cigarettes -if- I can get a new plate. If we were talking a $1000+ Canon lens or something, then yea, I'd probably send it in, but again this lens only cost me $90 to begin with and even new they're only around $160.

I do actually try to take care of my gear...having been a musician for over 20 years, I know the value, but this poor lens just keeps taking a beating. Needless to say though, I am going to replace those damn plastic buckles on the camera bag! LOL!!!

Peace,
Jim

[Bonish Photo]

Hey Jim, I must have missed the part where you said you only paid $90 for the lens. Yeah, then if you cant fix it yourself, I would justify just buying a new one.

The Sigma lens I had to send in had been dropped from about 5 feet and had a little plastic piece floating around inside the glass So there was no way to repair it myself.

I never try to intentionally be rough on my equipment, but lugging it around 100% of the time with me, it just naturally gets bumped and banged on things. I NEVER go anywhere without at least one of our camera bodies in tow.

I was going to make this its own thread because this just ahppened to me two days ago. Listen to how close I was with this mishap.

We were on a boat dock and I was unslinging my camera from over my shoulder when the stap came un-done and started to fall towards the water. That's a 1D body with a 28-300L lens on it

I grabbed onto the strap that had come loose from the mounting straps and caught it just before it hit the dock where it probably would have bounced into the ocean!! Can you say "Filled My Drawers!"

Once we got on the boat and I caught my breath, I noticed that the other side was also right ont he verge of coming loose. This is just from everyday use and working its way out of the buckles.

So I took the entire strap apart on both bodies and made sure that they were done with plenty of extra material on the end of the buckles.

Everyone who reads this should go check their straps! This is now a weekly maintenance routine I am going to check on.

The camera this happened to had about 500 images of jumping Mobulas, Whales and numerous other once in a lifetime captures on it. If it would have fallen into the ocean, I probably would have fell down crying like a little kid on the dock.

Just a warning for everyone who carries their cameras with a strap.

[gldiana]

Jim,

rather than emailing try calling Tamron. If purchased in the US that lens carries a 6 years warranty.

[VibrantMindDance]

Hey there. I used to work at a little locally owned camera store in Burlington VT called LeZot Camera. They have been around for a LONG time and do phenomonal repairs. People from all over the country send their stuff to this guy to fix. They often have a lot of used parts because they buy and sell equipment, so I would give them a call, tell them Sarah sent you!

LeZot Camera
34 Church St.
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 652-2400

Hope it all works out!

[Walczak Photo]

Hey Folks,
I guess I never updated this thread. I was able to get the lens unbent myself and got it mounted on the camera but it does look as though something with the aperture is, at the very least, stuck. Considering what I payed for it, I just hang on to it and maybe later when I have some time I'll break it down and see what's wrong.

The good news is, I found a replacement...same lens, same brand, slightly older model for $65 on Ebay. The lens is absolutely mint, just as sharp and I think it actually focuses a little faster than the old one! LOL!!!

All and all it cost me a couple of bucks, but the crisis is over and I'm back up and running now until I can afford better!

Bright Blessings & Gentle Breezes,
Jim