Sigma Lens Repair Help!

[KassieNichole]

I recently purchased a second hand Canon FTb, because I am wanting to get back into film photography. It came with a Sigma Mini Wide 28mm lens. I literally received this camera and lens earlier today. I have yet to take any pictures with it, but I had been playing around with the settings and such trying to learn about it. The focus ring on the lens WAS working fine - now it suddenly isn't. It just glides over and doesn't grip to move the lens to focus.
I've never had to deal with any camera repairs, so I'm wondering if this is something that can easily be fixed? Is it something I can do by taking apart the lens? I'm guessing it's more complicated and will need to be taken to a shop? Any clue on what this sort of repair will run me?

Thank you in advance for your advice!
Kassie

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[penfolderoldo]

Hi Kassie,

The lens you have (i'm assuming its the 28mm mini wide f/2.8?) is a great lens, so worth persevering with. When it was working, were there any grinding sounds when turning the focus ring? did it turn smoothly with little pressure? It is possible that the rubber covering the focus ring has become detatched from the metal ring itself, so try gripping the rubber really hard and focusing, if it focuses smoothly enough then, it's the glue that holds the rubber down thats gone.

[KassieNichole]

Hi Kassie,

The lens you have (i'm assuming its the 28mm mini wide f/2.8?) is a great lens, so worth persevering with. When it was working, were there any grinding sounds when turning the focus ring? did it turn smoothly with little pressure? It is possible that the rubber covering the focus ring has become detatched from the metal ring itself, so try gripping the rubber really hard and focusing, if it focuses smoothly enough then, it's the glue that holds the rubber down thats gone.

Yes! That's exactly what's happening, if I grip it REALLY hard then it will allow me to focus, but it always looses grip. Do you know if this is something that can easily be fixed? I obviously would like to preserve the lens, however I only paid $20 for the camera and the lens, so I'm not really sure how much money I'd want to put into it for repair. Plus, I live in a rinky dink town with no camera shops nearby, so I'd have to send it out or go elsewhere for repairs.

-Kassie

[penfolderoldo]

Hi Kassie,

The lens you have (i'm assuming its the 28mm mini wide f/2.8?) is a great lens, so worth persevering with. When it was working, were there any grinding sounds when turning the focus ring? did it turn smoothly with little pressure? It is possible that the rubber covering the focus ring has become detatched from the metal ring itself, so try gripping the rubber really hard and focusing, if it focuses smoothly enough then, it's the glue that holds the rubber down thats gone.

Yes! That's exactly what's happening, if I grip it REALLY hard then it will allow me to focus, but it always looses grip. Do you know if this is something that can easily be fixed? I obviously would like to preserve the lens, however I only paid $20 for the camera and the lens, so I'm not really sure how much money I'd want to put into it for repair. Plus, I live in a rinky dink town with no camera shops nearby, so I'd have to send it out or go elsewhere for repairs.

-Kassie

Well normally i'd suggest looking up Sigma US for certified repairers here, but you could try getting a craft knife, cutting across the rubber focusing ring (which if it's worked loose will then just come away) and use small drops or rubber glue to secure it back down (be careful not to get the glue round the sides of the focus ring) than use a rubber band to hold it in place while the glue dries.