Tamron 17-50 2.8 broken, can no longer zoom, advice?

Zarch

Zarch

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I've been using my Tamron 17-50 2.8 non-vc on my Nikon's for a couple of years flawlessly. Even through last week it has performed wonderfully.

But got it out of the bag today and it would not zoom in or out. There is some play in the barrel, maybe 2cm, and you can hear noises (springs?) but it does not zoom.

The lens still works, it autofocuses fine and I took a bunch of shots with it, but it obviously needs repairing.

Does anyone have any experience of this problem and could suggest a solution?
Anyone had this type of problem repaired, if so how much? And where? Local dealer or Tamron direct? Are Tamron direct any good dealing with repairs?

I'm assuming the lens is out of warranty as I bought it from the classifieds a few years ago and it was already 18 months old.

Any help or advice would be very much appreciated.
 
sorry to hear your woes i had same happen recently when my 70-300 had exact same problem ( due to it hitting the floor ). seems the zoom function is controlled mechanically inside with spiral cutouts which have plastic legs that run in these sprial channels and when you rotate the zoom ring it pushes the lges up the channel spirals cuasing the lens to zoom. my guess is the tamron works on simlar principle ( or maybe a srping loaded version ) and one has worked loose or worse broken.
as for cost or repair i looked at yourube vids and the digma looked like a total nightmare to dismnantle and would have needed an entire rpelacment section. the tamron may be easier but its def doesnt sound like a home diy job and may end up being cheaper to replace than get repaired.
good luck with it and hope you get it sorted
 
Thanks Dean, anyone else any thoughts please?
 
I would have said the same, I've dismantled a few canon lenses in the past (DIY job), repairing flexi cable on a tele lens I still use, (stuck appeture), and tye other had a faulty IS unit. Both lenses had the spiral cut out with pegs which can break if lens is dropped on its front :-(
 
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I also took apart a canon 17-85, from memory it had a stuck zoom, will try and remember what caused it, I always take pics when dismantling so should jog a few brain cells ! :-)
 
I've just watched a Tamron lens dismantlement video on Youtube and scared myself stupid. LOL.

Tamron say you can send for a quote and they'll only charge you £10+vat for return delivery if you choose not to have any work done. Sounds a sensible route?

Although would be good know what a potential repair cost might be as a 2nd hand replacement would be less than £200.
 
Worth sending away for a quote, at least you'll know with any repair the lens should be recalibrated and may come with a 3 month or 6 month repair warranty :-). I wouldn't recommend diy repair, as much as I enjoyed the challenge, keeping dust out of the lens when apart was near impossible unless you have access to clean room !? :-)
 
im not familar with nikon but i assume the VC and the XR ( or whatever its called is better than the NON VC? )
if so found a Tamron SP A16 AF XR Di II LD Aspherical IF Autofocus Lens 17-50 mm f/2.8 - Nikon fit for £150 buy now but open to offers so i guess its all down to what has caused the damage in first place and if its worth repairing so for the tenner a quote has to be worth it
 
So I wimped out of the self-repair route and sent the lens to the official Tamron repair company (Intro 2020) after they confirmed the lens was no longer in warranty (original owner must not have registered it for the free 5 year cover).

Quite impressed with the turnaround time for the quote though as I only posted the lens yesterday 12 noon via RMSD and they've returned the quote by 4pm today.

I'm less impressed with the quote though as it make my decision borderline what to do.

Faults:
Few small marks on 1G - no action required (anyone any idea what 1G is?)
Dismantle lens and replace parts as listed.
Full clean, check and test.

Parts:
Fluted Barrel Assy (A81) - £6.21
Zoom Coupling Plate - £0.50
Zoom Brush - £1.00
Middle Lens Barrel Assy (A61) - £5.03
Parts Total - £12.74

Labour - £100
Return Postage - £8.50

So with VAT (£24.25) we are looking at £145.49.

Just £12.74 parts?

There is one in the classifieds now at £150 and they regularly go for £180/£190. New is £279.

I did ask the question about warranty and they say all work is covered for 12 months.

So I suppose for £150 i'm getting it repaired, cleaned, tested and with 12 months warranty. I'm probably just being a tight b****r!! ;)
 
Labour cost seem a lot, though its no easy (quick) job, its probably worth it for the 12 month warranty that you won't get on a second hand one, and you'll know its been calibrated too. Maybe worth contacting fixation uk (based in London), to see what they would quote now you know what needs replacing ?
 
my guess is the G in 1G refers to glass ( just a pure guess and 1 would be the front element ) and prob has a few minor blemishes on that are on a par with its age and general use and wera and tear ).
As for labour cost could well be a days work stripping it all down, replacing the parts , putting it back together and then recalibrating it.

sure you could get one second hand on ebay or similar for if you hunt around , about the same price or a little more, but you have no idea of its former use or condition and if it has the free extended warranty registered.. at least this way you get a lens back that you know where its been and its under warranty and all working as it should too.
only thing i would check is what the warranty covers ( whether its parts and labour or parts only )
whatever you decide touch choice ..
you state its non Vibration control version ( is that more or less expensive than the VC version or the one i mentioned above the Tamron SP A16 AF XR Di II LD?

as i know that can be picked up for around £170
 
dean messenger said:
you state its non Vibration control version ( is that more or less expensive than the VC version or the one i mentioned above the Tamron SP A16 AF XR Di II LD?

as i know that can be picked up for around £170
Click to expand...
tbh, I think i'd be happier getting it repaired for £150 and getting a years warranty than buying cheap from a HK based company and all the trials and tribulations that can come with.
 
Just to update, I paid the £150 and had the lens repaired and i'm absolutely delighted to have it back.

Kudos to Intro 2020 too, turned the repair round in just 3 days. Lens looks like new and has been cleaned as I don't see any dust etc inside.

I'm delighted to have it back though because I had to revert to my Nikon 18-200 at the weekend for the Tour de France in Sheffield and boy did I know it. Put the Tamron back on today and its like night and day. Okay, probably not a fair fight, but it quickly highlighted how good the Tamron is for me.

A quick snap of the kids in the garden this evening and I think the lens is performing well?


MJW_0290.jpg by Zarch1972, on Flickr

PS. don't worry about her eyes, just a 4 year old putting on her own play make-up. LOL.
 
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Thanks for the update.
 
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