Lens Issue - Repair

Jim,

How did you clean the contacts? IS this lens use some sort of "ring" to fit on different camera makes? The old Tamron lenses did, I had one. Does the lens seem to fit tightly? Or does it wiggle?

Rich

Rich, I used a cloth and some alcohol. It has the EF mount for Canon and fits tight.
Only malfunctions in certain conditions, I'm trying to narrow it down but it might be an aperture issue.

Jim,

Try using a CLEAN eraser on the end of a pencil to clean the contacts, always works, will need to blow the bits of the eraser off the lens.....maybe even clean the camera body while you're at it....

Rich

Tried the eraser too. The camera is about a year old.

I've run into that same problem too with two second hand Canon kit lenses. I've tried every bit of advice out there to no avail. It just gets worse until the autofocus is gone completely. I've come to the conclusion that it is the Lens Aperture Group Flex Cable that needs to be replaced - something I don't feel competent to do. So I bought a new old one on ebay instead from a trusted guy who is competent at doing those kind of repairs. If you have the right tools, the confidence and fine motor skills you could try replacing the cable.

You can try lightly using something abrasive on the contacts and or clean it with alcohol and a qtip, blot the extra before trying, do that first before the more aggressive approach. I sent my lens back to be tuned, adjusted, repaired etc. Haven't seen that error. It was under warranty though. Clean the contacts on the camera too.

Sometimes just putting the lens on and off a few times may help. That there may be a barely visible oxide layer on something. But its a used lens and something has to be wrong with it. Where did you get the lens? Sometimes authorized dealers put a small warranty on it, maybe its covered.


----Mike Savad

I suspect it may be the aperture cable too. It's an older lens judging by the wear on the exterior. The cables inside flex over time when the lens retracts and extends, something like that.

Mike, I don't think these contacts actually can oxidize. I bought it from a friend who got it from another person so there's no warranty.

Judging from my research it's a fairly common problem. Usually dirty contacts. I had my previous Canon for 10 years and never had any such problems.

Even though they are gold, there can still be a coating of some kind on it. Even a bit of oil from your fingers could do that. You might be able to find a youtube thing showing you what to look for inside. But you may mess up the focus.

I didn't really use my camera for a year or more, never removed the lens, also had a tamron. And started getting that dreaded error but still was able to use it, it was mostly annoying. But I would try a lens cloth and a bit of alcohol and see if that helps. Scrub it with the lens cloth carefully, it may remove whatever is on there. Unless its been on and off so many times that its worn thin and its not making good connection because of that.


----Mike Savad

It is wear and tear

If you use the lens at its widest aperture I.e. 2.8 or whatever in aperture mode it will work

But after years of use it will be mechanically broken and that is why it only works at the widest aperture

Ran into this with my Canon 24-70 and with parts and labor $190 later I still have a great lens

This is one of the reasons I don't like getting anything used. Or at least if I do it would be from an authorized dealer. You get what you pay for. I know I use the lens till the warranty runs out. They usually have to break after that before getting a new one. And they usually break badly. I think mine simply died totally. But it was an amazing difference when my repaired lens did come back. Everything was much sharper.


----Mike Savad

I did buy a used Canon lens from a local camera store and they have a warranty. So far its been ok. I also recently bought a new wide angle lens and it was a big expense for me but well worth it.

Nina, I think it is an aperture problem. I have to experiment more with it. It works most of the time so for $40.. I may get it repaired if I can find someone local who works cheap. We have two major camera dealers here and they send repairs out, where to I don't know... Vancouver or Toronto maybe.

Tamron AF 75-300 4-5.8 LD tele-macro. I can't find it on the web. Certainly not on Tamron's site so I don't know the retail value.

At the very least, depending on the lens type, if it fails to work, you can use it as a reverse macro. That's a good use for primes anyway. Kind of bulky to use though.

I would ask tamron what the average price is, but if I recall it costs like $12-20 to send it (depending on insurance), they check it for free, but if you don't choose to pay for the repair, they charge you return shipping and don't fix it. It just depends on what the retail is, if you wanted it retail and if repairing it is really worth it. They usually answer their mail though.

----Mike Savad

Sell it on Ebay noting the condition, and then buy a Canon lens. Don't waste your time and talent with cheap lenses.

Might be a good idea Bradford.

I like taking things apart to see how they work but in this case I'd probably ruin it.

I saw something else about the firmware for lenses and this one might not be fully compatible with the camera.

When I look in the menu for firmware it doesn't show the Tamron lens but it does show the Canon lenses I have. Maybe that's the issue?