Cracked plastic "window" on EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM ... should I be concerned?

Started Dec 20, 2012 | Discussions
DCWC12 New Member • Posts: 3
Cracked plastic "window" on EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM ... should I be concerned?

On my EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM lens, the small plastic "window" just to the left of the black "70-200mm" marking on the top of the lens that shows the 'Distance scale', 'Distance index', and 'Infrared index' is cracked.  I dropped a small plate on it it cracked.

Overall, there is nothing wrong with the lens, it works fine. I would simply like to understand if I should be concerned about this crack, if it in any way compromises the lens, and what it might cost cost to repair.

I'm new to the forums and this is my first post.

Thanks!

happysnapper64 Veteran Member • Posts: 5,421
Re: Cracked plastic "window" on EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM ... should I be concerned?
1

First, welcome to the forum. My reply would be "yes". It is an expensive item, I bought the f/4 version because I could not afford the 2.8. It is expensive for a number of reasons, one being that it is weatherproof, meaning that you can use it outdoors when the weather is, shall we say, less than perfect. It will be risky getting it wet now. Not only rain damage but taking it from a cold envirament outside to a warm house will cause damage with condensation. These things don't fix themselves, & I have never had to have a repair done on a lens, but the cost of a repair will be far less than a new lens.

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Gearóid Ó Laoi, Garry Lee
Gearóid Ó Laoi, Garry Lee Veteran Member • Posts: 6,496
Re: Cracked plastic "window" on EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM ... should I be concerned?
1

I would find out from a Canon repair centre, how much it cost to replace. If very expensive, I would use colourless silicon sealant or suchlike on it. Somebody's got to have tried that. Google it.

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msowsun
msowsun Contributing Member • Posts: 744
Re: Cracked plastic "window" on EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM ... should I be concerned?
1

You could try ordering the parts from Canon and replace it yourself.

You can also get replacement windows on ebay: Canon focus window replacement

The window is secured in place with a specially made "window tape":  Window Tape

You might be able to find the parts at USCamera if your local Canon Parts supplier doesn't have them.

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OP DCWC12 New Member • Posts: 3
Re: Cracked plastic "window" on EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM ... should I be concerned?

msowsun wrote:

You could try ordering the parts from Canon and replace it yourself.

You can also get replacement windows on ebay: Canon focus window replacement

The window is secured in place with a specially made "window tape": Window Tape

You might be able to find the parts at USCamera if your local Canon Parts supplier doesn't have them.

This is very useful information.  I didn't even know that this was possible.  I will surely check it out.  Thanks!

Has anyone here replaced a window on Canon lenses?  Is it a difficult endeavor?  Any tips or pointers?

hotdog321
hotdog321 Forum Pro • Posts: 21,150
No.

I had the exact same issue on my 70-200 f/2.8 IS. I just kept using the lens as normal until I had a REAL issue (the barrel sections started getting loose and there was no way to tighten them), then sent it off to Canon and had them fix the whole shebang at once.

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