New, Used or Repaired? I dropped my Fujifilm X-T3 and Fuji XF 16-80mm F/4 lens during a hike. The lens appears to still function properly, but it doesn't fit solidly on the camera.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

I dropped my Fujifilm X-T3 and Fuji XF 16-80mm F/4 lens during a hike. The lens appears to still function properly, but it doesn't fit solidly on the camera. Based on a recommendation, I sent the camera to PhotoTech Repair Service in NYC for a repair estimate. Has anyone had experience with this company.

WOW!!! $510 for a lens repair that retails for $799 + tax. The repair has a 90-day guarantee.

Repairs include:

Replace aperture control assembly
Replace VR assembly/IS assembly
Replace focus motor assembly.

I explored the option of "totaling the lens" and purchasing a new one. The Adorama sales person (note the word "sales") told me my lens would never perform properly and that I need to purchase a new lens. The cost -- $799 + tax. With a 5 year warranty ($69.95), the cost would be $938.47.

Should I:

1.) Trust PhotoTech and authorize the repair.

2.) Buy a new lens

3.) Shop for a new or used lens on eBay or elsewhere (approximately $600 + tax).

Some of you have been in my shoes in the past. I would appreciate your thoughts.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

lwerthe1mer wrote:

I dropped my Fujifilm X-T3 and Fuji XF 16-80mm F/4... (show quote)

Old lens to round file buy new lens.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Buy new lens. Not worth it to fix it

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I dropped a Nikon D500 and 70-300 lens. Both broke and Nikon repaired them for a total of about $350. I wonder if you can get a better price on the repair. If not, I would look at the usual suspects like MPB for a used lens. Best of luck to you!

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

Rab-Eye wrote:

I dropped a Nikon D500 and 70-300 lens. Both broke and Nikon repaired them for a total of about $350. I wonder if you can get a better price on the repair. If not, I would look at the usual suspects like MPB for a used lens. Best of luck to you!

Ran-Eye, what is MPB? I don’t recognize it.

Thanks for taking the time to help me.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

"What is mpb?"
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/

They likely are the only vendor of "previously own digital cameras" that actually post the shutter activation count on their web site.

I "Heart" them for this...
Based in London and NYC they are a trustworthy dealer of merit.

Hope this helps...

BebuLamar

lwerthe1mer wrote:

I dropped my Fujifilm X-T3 and Fuji XF 16-80mm F/4... (show quote)

Sell the lens as is. It still works so it's still worth some money. Buy new lens.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

lwerthe1mer wrote:

1.) Trust PhotoTech and authorize the repair.

2.) Buy a new lens

3.) Shop for a new or used lens on eBay or elsewhere (approximately $600 + tax).

Some of you have been in my shoes in the past. I would appreciate your thoughts.

I am sorry about the dropped lens. That is so disappointing when we drop a piece of expensive equipment

So your chores below are about risk and "the devil you know vs the devil you don't".

(1) I do not have any experience with PhotoTech Repair but I am sure you will get comments from others here. You can check on line like yelp etc as well. On the surface it seems like the best trade between cost and risk and time.

(2) New is your safest bet also your most expensive route. Can you afford it? You might be able to sell the old lens "as is" and recoup a small amount. Perhaps pay for the warranty. Did you ask the Andarama rep about that? And another $140 for the warranty? What about buying the new lens and using the Manufacturer's guarantee?

(3) This seems like the greatest risk, the highest amount of unknowns, will take the most time, and might or might not be cheaper.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If all they need to do is change out the damaged lens mount, $510 seems rather overpriced for the service.

lwerthe1mer Loc: Birmingham, Alabama

rook2c4 wrote:

If all they need to do is change out the damaged lens mount, $510 seems rather overpriced for the service.

I listed several other repairs in my initial message. It appears that the damage is pretty extensive, assuming I can trust the repair company.

MDI Mainer

If it were me I'd buy a used lens from KEH or one of the other used dealers. Just like with a totaled car, you will be in the same place before/after the accident buying used.

https://www.keh.com/shop/fujifilm-fujinon-16-80mm-f-4-xf-r-ois-wr-lens-for-fuji-x-mount-mirrorless-72.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwhuCKBhADEiwA1HegOYTy-vyPgYQ6Wa2FjjZtzMCVTL6ffztLMZORsRcX6cRkOqUC-d2xkxoCxngQAvD_BwE

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

lwerthe1mer wrote:

I dropped my Fujifilm X-T3 and Fuji XF 16-80mm F/4... (show quote)

I use Authorized Camera Repair which is located outside of Philadelphia in southeast Pennsylvania. They are highly skilled and do excellent work. There have been a few times I took a lens to them for repairs and they told me it would be faster and less expensive if I sent it to the manufacturers repair facility. For example, my Canon EF 28-300L was in need of repair and ACR quoted me a price of $780 and said it would take a few weeks to get the parts, and I'd be better off sending it to Canon, so did. I shipped it to Canon repair overnight on a Wednesday. I got a phone call the following day with a cost quote and I authorized/paid for the repair over the phone. UPS delivered the lens back to me the following Monday. Cost of repair and shipping was $670, $110 less than ACR and several weeks faster. That was a few years ago and that lens, my favorite Canon utility lens, still works like new. Of course I'm referencing a $2400 lens, not a $700 lens, but the jist is the same.

kmielen Loc: Eastern NC

Thomas902 wrote:

"What is mpb?"
https://www.mpb.com/en-us/

They likely are the only vendor of "previously own digital cameras" that actually post the shutter activation count on their web site.

I "Heart" them for this...
Based in London and NYC they are a trustworthy dealer of merit.

Hope this helps...

I've been impressed with the listings on usedphotopro as well. They show the serial number and shutter count. Plus actual pics of the item for sale, not stock photos.

User ID

traderjohn wrote:

Old lens to round file buy new lens.

Yes. Or a clean used lens. You destroyed one used lens, so just get another one.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

kmielen wrote:

I've been impressed with the listings on usedphotopro as well. They show the serial number and shutter count. Plus actual pics of the item for sale, not stock photos.

Absolutely. They are one of the very few I would buy from.