Hi, I recently dropped my camera, a rebel t6, accidentally and it landed on the lens (18-55 mm). It had a filter so it took the hit and broke, the lens seems to be fine and the photos seem okay with no issues but I have this dent. Should I worry and get a new one or would it survive ?
There are a few of ways at looking at this. You could pick up a replacement lens. They are reasonably easy on the pocket and easy to find. Or you could live with the dinged lens if it works fine, and there is not any noticeable deterioration in the image quality. So long as you are happy with it. You could also get a little curious, and see what happens if you put a little pressure and see if you can push the plastic back in place. Just remember that you could do some damage to the lens if you try this. Does the lens cap still click on and stay in place? Gary
The front ring with the writing on is just a self adhesive label that covers 3 adjusting screws for the front lens element. If you use a small sharp object like a tiny flat screwdriver or even a pointed knife then you can lift the label off the plastic housing. You will then be able to see what the problem is. (the label sticks back on easily) I suspect that the plastic housing may have broken around one or more of the screws, if this is so then the lens is really only scrap as a misaligned and loose front element will cause distortion and focusing problems. Although it is a bit late to tell you but a lens hood would have given you far more protection than a filter.
as ray say, hoods protect the front way more than a filter, filters can get stuck in the lens when damaged too, and the reason filters break on a slight knock is they are made from thin glass. if the lens is working fine then it should be ok, the items that are more likely to be damaged in a dropped lens are the internals, motors and element alignment put the lens on a tripod and do a critical focus test, see if its still producing a sharp or the best it was before image on fine text you should do this test on any lens you buy, new or second hand so you know its good and what its capable of use the 2 or 10 sec timer to eliminate camera shake also as its a dropped lens use this image/ chart to see if any of the elements are out of alignment, you can use the chart in full screen on you comp or print it, focus on the center dot then defocus the lens, if the black dot pulls to one side as you defocus something not right i use a paracord wrist strap, its a one piece through out, if you get bumped or drop the lens it lassos around your wrist so it cant fall off
