Decade+ doing photography, first damage to gear

AHarvey · 13 Sep 2021 at 14:14

Hi,

I've had some close calls over the years but last Friday I was photographing a wedding and my wife was with me running my D700 + Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 so she can get some more experience.

She attached the camera to the tripod, the attachment was on the lens due to the weight, and I carried if from one room to another, as I put it down the camera took a tumble and bounced off the floor. D700, SB900 are both good but the sigma broke just after where it connects to the camera. 3 tiny screws and small bits of plastic holding it together and the plastic snapped.

Lens itself works a treat still after I reattached the ribbon and held it to the camera, but with another wedding on Thursday I either need a new lens or this repaired asap.

https://imgur.com/a/sMZGUjn

Has anyone had similar that has been repaired?

Or can anyone suggest a replacement? I've not really looked at anything other than bodies for years and already have a 24-70 f2.8 on my D810. Other than a crappy older lens and an old manual focus 50mm 1.8 I need something with a bit more reach capable of producing decent photos.

Raymond Lin · 13 Sep 2021 at 15:42

You can send it to Sigma UK to get it repaired, I fixed my 50/1.4 by them when i got sand in it a few years ago.

Otherwise, i suspect a replacement lens won't be as expensive because people are moving to mirrorless now.

You will not get it fixed this week though.

AHarvey · 13 Sep 2021 at 15:59

Raymond Lin said:
You can send it to Sigma UK to get it repaired, I fixed my 50/1.4 by them when i got sand in it a few years ago.

Otherwise, i suspect a replacement lens won't be as expensive because people are moving to mirrorless now.

You will not get it fixed this week though.

Yeah, I've had a quote back from CPES and they've said around £150 + a couple of weeks turnaround. pjcdirect.co.uk has told me parts are discontinued and they won't be able to sort.

Not heard anything from a 3rd local or Sigma yet.

Had a look and there is a newer Sigma version of the lens but it's around £1100, second had the same lens is going for 500 but I really don't like second-hand stuff for business.

I've been looking at mirrorless cameras on and off since the Sony Alpha A7 first came out, unsure on making the jump seeing as I don't do a lot of paid work anymore and although the lighter cameras would be great for the wife, it's a lot of investment. Either the a7 or Nikon Z7.

take it you're still doing weddings?

AHarvey · 13 Sep 2021 at 16:40

Sigma have come back and advised that due to the age of the lens they can't source parts, so may as well try and sort it myself somehow.

keenan · 13 Sep 2021 at 17:02

Forgive me if this comes as a shock due to something you would never do...

Given the age of the lens and your limited options, could you not just super glue the broken latches back and screw it all back together?

AHarvey · 13 Sep 2021 at 19:18

keenan said:
Forgive me if this comes as a shock due to something you would never do...

Given the age of the lens and your limited options, could you not just super glue the broken latches back and screw it all back together?

Seeing as it can't be repaired, even by Sigma, that is an option I've been looking at. Not sure superglue would be strong enough, maybe some specialist plastic glue and I'm even looking to see if I can have something made to pull the 2 parts together on the outside of the camera. I've got to wait for the insurance options first to see what cover I've got. If I start messing with it they may not pay out.

keenan · 13 Sep 2021 at 20:35

AHarvey said:
Seeing as it can't be repaired, even by Sigma, that is an option I've been looking at. Not sure superglue would be strong enough, maybe some specialist plastic glue and I'm even looking to see if I can have something made to pull the 2 parts together on the outside of the camera. I've got to wait for the insurance options first to see what cover I've got. If I start messing with it they may not pay out.

Aha, if you have insurance then it might be the better option to wait yes..

ethan · 14 Sep 2021 at 00:20

keenan said:
Forgive me if this comes as a shock due to something you would never do...

Given the age of the lens and your limited options, could you not just super glue the broken latches back and screw it all back together?

That's what I did on a FE 90mm Macro when the camera slipped out of its L bracket. Lucky it did the job (and I replaced the bracket).

keenan · 14 Sep 2021 at 00:37

ethan said:
That's what I did on a FE 90mm Macro when the camera slipped out of its L bracket. Lucky it did the job (and I replaced the bracket).

I'm relieved I'm not the only one that always wants to DIY everything back together..

AHarvey · 15 Sep 2021 at 20:51

Just discovered the SB-900 is damaged too.

Works fine but sits wonky on the camera, a few degree's off as the metal plate that fits in the shoe is warped.

Even with insurance the payout is more than I charged for the wedding, there goes the new computer