When Lenses fall and hit the floor...

[Purpledump]

While on holiday, I slipped and fell on a wet staircase. The camera was slung around my shoulder, with my brand new Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L lens pointing slightly down, so it fell by about 3 or 4ft and hit the staircase, too.

The front glass thankfully remained scratch free. Except for a few scoffs and bends on the front barrel filter ring, I cannot see any physical damage.

However, I am worried that the impact damaged the lens internally. It seems to still autofocus alright, I am checking for sharpness pre and post fall just by visual inspection of the photos I took. Maybe my paranoia is making me see things. I am a bit new to this, so what else should I do/check to ease my mind? Take it to a repair shop?

[RobDickinson]

If it works and produces the same output I wouldnt worry?

Try focus tests and see if you can tell if any elements are misaligned, if its soft(er) on one side/corner than another etc.

[bollecks]

I'd be amazed if a 4ft drop was able to shift or damage the optical elements inside a lens. If there's no dents on the outside you're almost certainly fine.

Even if you did take it to a repair shop, there's not much they could do.

They might be able to help if the focusing ring gets stiff or something, but the glass is a sealed unit.

[Purpledump]

Thanks for those replies. I haven't come across focus tests before, so it's something I'm trying out.

[GarethH]

I made a post a few weeks ago after my 70-200 f2.8 IS was dropped (by somebody else I may add).

I too was very paranoid doing numerous tests after, but it survived just fine. Out of interest, do you have insurance? I think it always gives my mind a rest knowing that I could claim if it did screw it up.

[Woz]

This thread illustrates the difference between an L lens and a normal consumer lens!
I once dropped my 50mm f/1.4 off a dining table and it was totally ****** :(

[bollecks]

This thread illustrates the difference between an L lens and a normal consumer lens!
I once dropped my 50mm f/1.4 off a dining table and it was totally ****** :(

Going back into ancient days of EOS 620 and 650 35mm cameras that we sold when I worked in Jessops, I saw two come back where the camera had been dropped and the plastic base of the lens just snapped away leaving the lens flapping on the body!

[HYPOBOXER]

My Strap failed in Libya and my lense took the full force of the impact smashing my polariser, and denting the edge of the adapter ring. Lense was fine but now its started to stick when zooming.

[Boink!]

anyone else feel slightly sick at reading these accidents?

[Woz]

Well, this'll make you REALLY sad Boink - I found an as-new Oly OM1 in a charity shop with an as-new 50mm lens on the front.
Got it out at home to show the wife (disinterest!) and somehow managed to throw the whole camera across the room onto a hard floor. I mean the initial arc was upwards in its trajectory :O
Dented the filter ring of the lens, but literally no other damage at all.

Olympus really knew how to make pro cameras in those days!

[mikegray]

Try a one week old 28-75mm f/2.8 falling off the stage at an arena... it did not survive.