Canon 50mm f/1.4 AF and MF focus failure

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SixToes

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My beloved 50mm has failed, it doesn't focus manually or automatically. Anybody know how much this costs to repair or got recommendations where to go to get it fixed in London?

Thanks everyone :'(
 
No one? :(

I got a quote from Sendean yesterday which seemed very expensive, and I'm waiting to hear back from Fixation. I get the impression this is a pretty common fault and that it's a relatively simple fix so has anyone used anywhere smaller for this type if thing?
 
May be stating the obvious, but have you tried cleaning the contacts with a pencil earazer? It may be that the contacts have become dirty, although I don't know why manual focus would be affected.
 
alexam said:
May be stating the obvious, but have you tried cleaning the contacts with a pencil earazer? It may be that the contacts have become dirty, although I don't know why manual focus would be affected.
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I wish it was that but the problem is that when you move the focus ring the front assembly doesn't move in or out of the body of the lens anymore, so it's a mechanical problem rather than electrical.
 
It sounds like the focussing helicoil cam follower has broken. This is under a fair deal of stress if the lens if stored with the barrel extended (the infinity focus end IIRC). It should be a quite simple fix if you can get the part ordered....YA2-1776 or YA2-1777 at a guess.

When you get it sorted, remember to store it with the focus set somewhere in the middle of its range.

Bob
 
It depends exactly what is wrong - although I expect (as always) Bob has nailed it.

I would recommend you speak with Fixation - they are a little slow on email but very friendly over the phone. They were also the cheapest on a recent quote I got.
 
I had this problem with mine a few years back, I got it sorted at Fixation. As above, if you can't wait for an answer phone them.
 
Canon Bob said:
It sounds like the focussing helicoil cam follower has broken. This is under a fair deal of stress if the lens if stored with the barrel extended (the infinity focus end IIRC). It should be a quite simple fix if you can get the part ordered....YA2-1776 or YA2-1777 at a guess.

When you get it sorted, remember to store it with the focus set somewhere in the middle of its range.

Bob
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Thanks Bob - I did find a guide online for this and it looked pretty simple - what stopped me was that I was worried about was changing the lens focus accuracy when I put it back together as I don't have a way to collimate it accurately. Do you know if this is a valid concern or am I worrying about nothing?

I will store it more carefully going forward by making sure the front assembly is fully retracted before putting it back in the bag. This vulnerability is a design flaw really, and its a shame because I love the images I get with this lens.

Richard, Lewis - If I don't hear from Fixation soon I'll give them a call and see what they say, it's going to be a relatively cheap fix I'd rather get a pro to do it! Lewis, can you remember what Fixation charged you last time?

Thanks everyone :)
 
SixToes said:
....I did find a guide online for this and it looked pretty simple - what stopped me was that I was worried about was changing the lens focus accuracy when I put it back together as I don't have a way to collimate it accurately. Do you know if this is a valid concern or am I worrying about nothing?
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I'm going to hazzard a guess that nothing should change as I don't believe that you'll need to go so far that any registration will change....famous last words though.

Bob
 
Fixation fix was FoC as lens was less that 1 year old.
 
This lens is prone to focussing problems, always has been. I managed to kill one years back, it is simply too delicate, which is basically, as I see it, a design fault. Rubbish.
 
Flats said:
This lens is prone to focussing problems, always has been. I managed to kill one years back, it is simply too delicate, which is basically, as I see it, a design fault. Rubbish.
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Really? Mine is almost 3years old and lives in my camera bag most of the time. I've carried it back and forth in a backpack on the motorbike.

Is this storing mid focus something I should be doing with this and other lenses?
 
Bob and Lewis - thanks for your replies :)

I'm a big fan of the lens apart from this weakness. I think when its repaired I'm going to butcher an old hood so that its just longer than the front assembly at maximum extension and then glue it to the back of 50mm lens hood so that it has some protection while in the bag with the hood reversed.
 
I leave mine in the bag with the hood in situ, non reversed.
 
admirable said:
I leave mine in the bag with the hood in situ, non reversed.
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I do that when I take out my backpack, but quite often I use a smaller shoulder bag and it doesn't fit. Hmm.. maybe I should just get a bigger bag... :thinking:
 
I just chuck mine in the bag & it's been fine.
 
As mentioned above, Fixation UK will check it for a free quote. It can cost you £100+ to fix though. This is one reason I sold my Canon 50mm f/1.4 and went for the Sigma 50mm f/1.4.
 
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