Update November 2022: Eddie from the Lens Doctor has been in touch, his response is at the bottom of this article, hopefully his health issues have been resolved, and collegues will start receiving their equipment back in due course.
UPDATE February 2022: A number of colleagues have sent equipment to the Lens Doctor in recent months and have heard little & received less, despite money being paid. Emails aren’t answered and goods not returned. If I hear things have changed or improved I may re-evaluate my recommendation of him.
Sent my ageing Canon 16-35mm F2.8L away to The Lens Doctor for repair as it was incapable of producing a sharp image. I was purchased some 16 years ago & Canon wouldn’t touch it. So anyway a mere £239 and the lens has been fixed & returned, and what a job they have done. It has been completely stripped down, cleaned, repaired, parts replaced and returned.
I have shot a few test images and it seems every bit as good as the day that it was purchased. Despite being a heavily used lens, the focus & zoom rings are as smooth as a baby’s bottom. The weather seal has been replaced, in fact it seems a shame to stick my battered old lens hood on it.
I have no connection with The Lens Doctor other than being a very satisfied customer.
The details of the work required is shown below.
Stated Fault: Lens producing soft results /service
Observations: The lens looks in used cosmetic condition, showing small external wear on paintwork and fixings (some small paint wear commensurate with age), there is also slight wear on the lens grips and rubbers. The internal glass has an amount of dust/ debris on all the elements, suggesting there is a slight covering of environmental oils and dust throughout the lens. The Electronics/mechanics of the lens after inspection and test have shown a loose central corrector group carrier, the lens will require to be fully disassembled to re new bushes and to secure loose barrel assembly.
Estimate: The lens requires a complete disassembly for internal repair, replacing the Central Corrector group’s bushes and securing drive assembly. The lens also requires a general service including Clean, Lubricated and adjusted, giving principal consideration to the focus movement, this involves stripping out the entire focusing mechanism system and movements from the lens. Assemble all parts and secure loose Guides and key ways (Corrector Group), and re-assemble internal focusing movement, and I.C. assembly’s new internal bearings/bushing kit, re-align focus, collimate re-centre element groups and calibrate, test back to standard.
PARTS: The lens performance will be seriously affected by the movement of the Corrector Group carrier, which hopefully will be secured by new bearings/bushes, but I cannot ascertain the full extent of wear on the carrier housing until I have entered the lens. Also the lens requires a securing of Guides and key set bearings kit. I have priced for the parts which I will have to order.
- Key Guides bearings and bushing kit assembly.
- May require Central Corrector group carrier assembly
COST: Disassemble all function parts Including mechanics and glass, check and inspect internal functionality and Helicoids action. Remove all mechanical assemblies, clean glass and element groups. Inspect and investigate all mechanical lens movements, check tolerances and re-new housing bearings. Re-install Power Diaphragm, Iris motor and drive unit and assembly, check and re-new barrel Key Guides and bearings. Re align and fully re –centre, collimate helicoids and align, calibrate aperture system reassemble, seal and fully test.
TOTALS: For full repair, test and bring back to standard £239.00
: Postage and Packing at cost
I read your insertion with great interest, perhaps the colleagues that you have correspondence from would enlighten you to the reason behind delays and responses from me or indeed the lack of.
Unfortunately I suffered a heart attack which left me unable to be at the workshop or respond to emails, I was in hospital for 6 weeks and have undergone a quadruple bypass, I did not make this common knowledge but did let everyone know that I had outstanding work with me. I have now only today resumed back to work doing what I do best, as from your repair brought back to life a Canon Lens which would otherwise have become a door stopper or ash tray.
So I would be most grateful if you could amend your current insertion to “DO NOT USE”, and let everyone know that I am as good as your last repair.
Eddie Houston
Email from Eddie Houston of The Lens Doctor
The Lens Doctor
The ramblings of a press photographer 
Hi Paul,
I read your insertion with great interest, perhaps the colleagues that you have correspondence from would enlighten you to the reason behind delays and responses from me or indeed the lack of.
Unfortunately I suffered a heart attack which left me unable to be at the workshop or respond to emails, I was in hospital for 6 weeks and have undergone a quadrupole by pass, I did not make this common knowledge but did let everyone know that had out standing works with me. I have now only today resumed back to work doing what I do best, as from your repair brought back to life a Canon Lens which would otherwise have become a door stopper or ash tray.
So I would be most grateful if you could amend your current insertion to “DO NOT USE”, and let everyone know that I am as good as your last repair.
Eddie Houston
The Lens Doctor