Expert: David Silver - 3/24/2005

Question
I took another look, something called "Tiffen 52mm UV PROTECTOR U.S.A" was what bent and cracked. Cant I get a replacement for that at retail of something like $10?
-Andrea


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Followup To
Question -
I got a Vivitar v3800N camera from my photography teacher yesterday, It fell about three feet from my computer desk and the glass at the front is cracked and just one part of the rim is bent... Is it possible to just get that part fixed without buying a whole new zoom lens? PLEASE REPLY ASAP.
Answer -
Hi Andrea,

The cost to fix the lens is probably more than it would cost to buy a complete replacement!  The Vivitar v3800N is a pretty cheap camera (cheap in terms of price...it's actually a very nice no-frills camera for the beginning or student photographer), and you most likely have the Vivitar 28-70mm zoom lens on it (their generic lens that usually comes with this camera).  You could easily find a used replacement lens on eBay (remember, you need one that fits K bayonet mount, but there are zillions of those out there) for under $50 and possibly as low as $30.  For that matter, you can buy an entire new Vivitar v3800N for under $175 through a number of discount houses!  If you've actually broken the front element of the lens (if that's what you mean by "the glass at the front"), then it's trash.  Can't be fixed.  If perhaps there's a filter mounted on the front, and THAT's what is broken, but the front rim of the lens itself is now bent, a repair person might charge you as much as $50 in labor just to work off the broken filter and repair the rim.  Either way, you're still better off buying a nice used lens and there are plenty of them available on eBay daily.  That's the advantage of "cheap" (but effective!) camera equipment...if you break it, you can easily replace it!  Think about it...that's probably a major reason why your teacher loaned you THAT camera in the first place!

Best wishes,

David Silver

Answer
Hi Andrea,

Yes, good for you!  Then what really broke was NOT the lens, but the cheap UV (ultra violet or often called a #1A skylight) filter that was screwed onto the front of the lens!  Quite honestly, your teacher may not even care (most photographers have plenty of extra UV and #1A filters sitting around...we keep them screwed onto our lenses to protect the surface of the front element, and, in your case, it truly did!), but you should easily be able to find another UV or skylight filter for under $10 at any full service photo supply store.  The 52mm indicates the size you need to fit the front of the lens, and Tiffen or Tamron or Vivitar all make very affordable ones.  Just grab hold of that old filter and screw it off, but make sure you keep your fingers (and anything else!) away from the front surface of the lens while there's nothing there to protect it.

Wow, I bet you're relieved now!

Have fun!

Best wishes,

David Silver