Has Anyone in Melbourne Repaired Lenses before? Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8 Repair (Water Damage - Autofocus Chip)

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  HighAndDry on 26/11/2018 - 15:18

  How much are the lens worth total? Because from experience, $250 for (what is mostly) labour in HK would likely translate to much much more in labour costs here.

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    Heshbrown on 26/11/2018 - 16:38

    It costs about $870-$1000 brand new OR roughly $600-700 second-hand.

    I bought it second hand for $600 back when it was selling for $1.2k.

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  [Deactivated] on 26/11/2018 - 15:30

  I had a Sony Zeiss 16-80 repaired about 8 years ago in Camberwell. It was called shutterbox. May not exist any more. They, for a nominal fee (about $50), would assess the lens and then advise a quote price for repairs. Seemed fair at the time and did an excellent job.

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    Ocker on 26/11/2018 - 15:32

    Shutterbox is still there

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      [Deactivated] on 26/11/2018 - 15:36

      Good to hear.

      My lens had fungus. It was actually in between 2 glued elements. The guy at shutterbox said to complain to Sony (lens out of warranty) as that fungus could only have occurred in the factory. Sony gave me half the repair cost as a goodwill gesture.

      Edit: if I recall correctly the inspection fee was subtracted from quote if you proceed

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        Heshbrown on 26/11/2018 - 16:39

        if I recall correctly the inspection fee was subtracted from quote if you proceed

        Oh, that's good to hear. I might check out shutterbox.

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  sir_bazz on 26/11/2018 - 17:40

  CR Kennedy in South Yarra are the sole local Sigma distributer for Australia, and they do lens repairs

  I had them repair a Sigma 70-200mm f2.8 that suffered water ingress but don't recall how much it was.

  On another occasion I took a Pentax 300mm f2.8 for repair but that had to be sent to Japan for fix as they werent certified? to do that repair.

  In any case, they can take care of the repair either locally or by sending it off if needed.

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    Heshbrown on 27/11/2018 - 11:54

    Cheers! I will have a look at them. Let me know if you have an idea of how much you paid for it.

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      sir_bazz on 27/11/2018 - 14:53

      It must've been 7 or 8 years ago and I could take a guess at cost but it wouldn't be based on what I paid.
      Just give them a call and ask for an estimate over the phone.

      Another place I once used to repair a dented filter thread on 35mm f2.8 was Vintech in the CBD, (just near Ted's).
      If they are still around it may be worth giving them a call as well. They did a pretty good job and are known for being more affordable, Ozbargain style. Good option if your lens is out of warranty already.

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  armdrags on 26/11/2018 - 18:29

  -3

  My advice is not free. Will cost you $50-60 if you want my advice.

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  brendanm on 27/11/2018 - 14:52

  How do you like the 18-35? Been wanting one for a while but prices have been all over the place.

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    Heshbrown on 29/11/2018 - 14:20

    It's probably the best lens I have ever bought. Honestly, its an outstanding performer in most of the work I do. To give you an idea, I mostly shoot landscapes, events, and video. I've probably shot upwards of 90-95% of my work on it.

    In terms of portraiture, you can still use it no doubt and still create great looking images, but I opt for a 50mm f/1.8 to do portraits with and of course shooting wildlife is impossible without being up close and personal with it all. Then again, that "downfall" (if you could call it that) is beyond its focal range so it doesn't really matter unless if you do the latter than the former.

    It is the glass slipper to my purposes, a fit.