What to do with a broken lens?

June 26, 2012 5:26 AM

A Canon 80-200mm zoom lens I've been holding on to has broken, and fixing it would be more expensive than a replacement. What should I do with it?

Disassembling it and using it as a coffee mug? The lens to a pinhole camera? What's possible and impossible - should I just trash it?

The issue specifically is that an aperture blade is hanging free - the rest of the mechanics are (probably) functional and unharmed.

posted by tmcw to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

If I had that, I'd definitely convert it to become an urn for my ashes. Failing that, may I suggest ebay? Damaged lenses do fetch a reasonable price, especially if only something like the aperture is damaged - I'm sure there are some people who have no issues shooting only at max aperture.
posted by TrinsicWS at 5:41 AM on June 26, 2012 [2 favorites]

Best answer: I would take it apart and try to fix it myself. After failing to fix it I would either find something interesting to do with the pieces, especially the glass, or give them to my daughter (age 7) to find something fun to use them for.
posted by TedW at 7:39 AM on June 26, 2012

Consider selling it on eBay, making sure to prominently note, in both the listing title and description, that it is BROKEN, and FOR PARTS ONLY. Provide a very detailed description and photos of the issues.

When my old 80-200/f2.8 Nikkor ED zoom literally self-destructed, shattering one internal lens element in the process, I got $350.00 for it back around 2001. At the time, that lens sold for $800.00 brand new.
posted by imjustsaying at 3:55 PM on June 26, 2012