Zoom ring damage!

[ricksname]

I recently purchased a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 from eBay. It was a decent price, and when I recieved the lens it was in bloody good shape. I've used it frequently for a month or so, then began to notice that the zoom ring was starting to stick every so often. It didn't seem like a major problem, and seemed to come and go, so I thought little of it.

I picked up my camera again yesterday, and adjusted the zoom to feel it really stick. I gave it a slightly firmer twist, and it just gave way. The zoom ring works just about, but will often spin making no difference whatsoever. When it does adjust the lens, it sticks awkwardly.

The lens is out of warranty, so no help there. Is this the kind of thing I can have fixed, or have I just turned a zoom lens into a prime?

 

[dxqcanada]

I would suggest getting it serviced.
It sounds like there is some gunk in the focus helix and due to that the locking screws have been stripped/lost traction.
Cost of lens servicing though is not cheap ... unless you do it yourself.

 

[KmH]

Zoom lens repairs should not be undertaken by the faint of heart.

Re-assembly, and the re-alignment of lens elements often requires special tools.