ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

I know there are some knowledgeable people in this forum who will give me some good advice. I am now in possession of a Canon lens (28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM) with a tightly stuck focus ring (wheel) and the distance window doesn't work; however I'm able to take good photos anyway. So, I am thinking, will the defective lens cause the camera to have problems?? Thanks in advance for all your answers.

Joe Blow

It can drain your battery quicker if the focus is sticky but it shouldn't hurt the camera itself.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The only problem you might have is that your "defective" lens has something broken inside and that piece could easily end up inside your camera destroying your mirror, shutter, or even your sensor. Shake it, if it rattles I would definitely not use it until you know EXACTLY what its issue is, or have it repaired. But thats an old lens that sells cheap used so its probably not worth the cost of repair.

Jim Bob

Maybe. Depends on the nature of the defect.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

They're listed at $99 to $149 on the internet this morning for the first 5 I looked. You probably can't get anyone to look at your broken version for less than $100.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

May I suggest, based on the information you have given us that you have your lens repaired?

traderjohn Loc: New York City

I would deep six the lens and go new or one of the collective selling sites.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

No physical connection so no problem there. If there is an electrical short could be a problem.
Most likely just a physical problem.

ballsafire Loc: Lafayette, Louisiana

Again,THANKS to all who gave me your expert advice and observations! I guess the focus ring that controls the distance window will not be fixed -- but I can still shoot with this lens in auto mode.

Kuzano

A "ronsonol flush" may be in order. I have freed up many lenses that are sticky or stiff with a flush of Ronsonol lighter fluid. Evaporates away leaving minimal residue. If the lens does not warrant the expense of a service and will thus end up the back of the closet or discarded, I would be tempted to run a very small amount of this fluid around both ends of the focus ring while turning the ring.

On older gunked up vintage large format lens we often flooded the lens and moved aperture and shutter blades to free them up. Mind now, this is a last ditch effort which can free up an old lens. I would not flood the type of lens you have here, but a judicious application of Ronsonol may fix your stiff problem.

Do NOT do this while the lens is on camera, and definitely give it a day to evaporate out, before using it on
your camera. And that's only if you shake it and no parts rattle around.

I can hear the groans and almost feel the shuddering now in typing this, but as the saying goes..... No Guts, No Glory. It's either buy the right stuff or take the risk.

I've not done a "Ronsonol flush since the arrival of digital, but I still have two cans of Ronsonol on the shelf by the work bench.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

No, it won't harm your camera.

DO NOT flood it with any liquids. That risks seeping inside, getting onto the optics, messing with the aperture blades, etc. Modern lenses also have a lot of plastic and nylon parts that might be damaged by lighter fluid (I've used it to clean mostly disassembled METAL lens mechanisms myself.... but never plastics.)

What you might try carefully is a vacuum around the edges of the focus ring. No guarantees, but if there's a particle of sand in there or something, that might remove it.

However, if the autofocus is still working fine and you don't need to manually focus the lens, you might just keep using it as is. Probably not worth having professionally repaired. You can buy used 28-105 II for approx. $150 or less or even upgrade to the better EF 28-135mm IS USM for $200 or less.