Lens Carnage

[RustBeltRaw]

Protip for Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 users; don't drop your lens 2.5ft (0.8m) onto concrete.



A connector on my home-made camera sling slipped out of the camera's strap loop, and boom. The lens was mounted on my 60D, which came away with only a scratched battery grip. I wonder if my 20mm prime would have survived, since in this design, the zoom action forces the main structural casting into a peculiar, spindly configuration. You can see the aluminum casting's three broken connections to the mount ring and electrical contact sub-assembly. As a MechE, I can't help but notice the aluminum casting's extremely coarse grain and considerable internal voids, both of which make the part weaker than it could be (at, of course, increased cost). Still a great lens for the price, and it's asking a lot for any lens to survive this.

I'll either get the lens repaired, replace it with the pro version (whose price has dropped), or try to find an autofocusing f2.8 or faster prime in the 12-16mm range for less than $600 (search is fruitless so far). Sent an e-mail to Tokina, but no word on repair feasibility yet. They may just laugh in my face.

[mknittle]

Ouch!

[Downrigger]

Yikes! and just when I'm renting a Nikon 80-400 zoom for the day.

[HaseebM]

It will make a lot of people happy if you get that repaired. I like the way you took this positively and made a topic to warn us.

[RustBeltRaw]

I like the way you took this positively and made a topic to warn us.

I made my peace with breaking gear a long time ago. Really, I think the ceramic artists I was working with were way more shocked than I was. If you broke it, at least you were using it.

On the other hand, this wrinkle has led me to the discontinued Tamron and Sigma 14mm f2.8 primes. Considering that I'm shifting toward an all-prime lineup (for entirely non-snotty reasons), those may be more desirable replacements. Has anyone used those lenses?

[rpcrowe]

I feel for you Lex...

I really like the Optech Dual Harness because each strap is connected to a connection point individually. Should one of the straps or connection points fail; the camera would still be hanging by one strap connected to the harness.

I don't like the Black Rapid or similar straps because I don't think that the tripod mounting screw socket was designed or manufactured to support the weight of the body plus heavy lens hanging upside down. The camera/lens swinging as the photographer moves around would put additional pressure on the socket.

[kaneohebud]

I agree that the tripod mounting screw is not optimum for the torque of a sling type strap. However, I use a Black Rapid strap and love it. I use a metal ring through the camera's strap slot and the hold is secure. That arrangement keeps the camera securely on my hip and out of the way until I'm ready to shoot.

[RustBeltRaw]

Your objections are why I made my own slings.

I'm not a huge fan of the Black Rapid tripod socket connection. One attachment, no matter how good, holding up a huge investment, feels iffy. I used and broke an Optech in about a month, but I kind of liked their double attachments to the camera's original strap lugs. Bulky, crappy plastic buckles? Not so much. So I worked out something I was happy with, plus a hand strap that automatically slides between vertical and horizontal grips.

You will notice that I'm being vague about details. That's because I'm still developing this, and if all goes well, I'm going to try turning it into an actual product someday. Y'know, after I solve the sending your lens crashing to the ground problem.

[RustBeltRaw]

Update: Tokina reports that the lens is repairable, and estimated the cost at $150-300. It's in the mail to their California service center. No official quote yet.

[Donald]

Good news. Let us know what you think of their work once you get it returned.

[JR1]

Protip for Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 users; don't drop your lens 2.5ft (0.8m) onto concrete.



A connector on my home-made camera sling slipped out of the camera's strap loop, and boom. The lens was mounted on my 60D, which came away with only a scratched battery grip. I wonder if my 20mm prime would have survived, since in this design, the zoom action forces the main structural casting into a peculiar, spindly configuration. You can see the aluminum casting's three broken connections to the mount ring and electrical contact sub-assembly. As a MechE, I can't help but notice the aluminum casting's extremely coarse grain and considerable internal voids, both of which make the part weaker than it could be (at, of course, increased cost). Still a great lens for the price, and it's asking a lot for any lens to survive this.

I'll either get the lens repaired, replace it with the pro version (whose price has dropped), or try to find an autofocusing f2.8 or faster prime in the 12-16mm range for less than $600 (search is fruitless so far). Sent an e-mail to Tokina, but no word on repair feasibility yet. They may just laugh in my face.

Why, that's what good camera insurance is for