Canon Lens Repair

[revanche]

So, I've got a canon dslr lens, 17-85mm IS that has a broken AutoFocus. I was just wondering, does anybody out there had problems like this before and had it fixed from a shop? Id really like to have an idea on where and the rough price it'd cost me.

Thanks!

[big_apple_ken]

I would go right back to the Canon showroom in TST:

http://www.canon.com.hk/en/support/home/

They will quote you on a repair price. Although the 17-85mm is not a pricey lens per say there's no point risking it by asking some other place to fix it. Either that...or learn to shoot manual (I pretty much only shoot manual myself with my L lenses).

[reddbod]

Either that...or learn to shoot manual (I pretty much only shoot manual myself with my L lenses).

I second that. Shooting manually can be fun and challenging. Personally, I wouldn't risk having it repaired. The lens is not that pricey. If the warranty has expired, the cost may come up almost the same price as the lens itself or half in most cases.

[revanche]

Thanks for the input guys. I just started learning photography so am still looking if Id want to spend more on it. The lens was given by a friend btw.

Ill take you both for that advice, practice using manual =)

[dipper]

OK but IMHO there are some proviso's to the advice you've been given.

Firstly, there's no reason why you can't at least get a quote for the repair, if it's more than the lens is worth then fair enough, there's no point. But if it's only replacing the AF switch for example it may well be worth doing it.

Also bear in mind that manual focus is fine if you have a high-end body with a large, bright viewfinder, but if you have one of the lower end Canon DSLRs they're not really set up for manual focus as one of the areas they save money on in the cheaper models is by having a crappy viewfinder. It also depends on what kind of things you're shooting.

[Dreadnought]

When you take it over to the Canon service centre, they will:

1. Inspect the lens (I don't remember if they charge a fee for this);
2. Call to tell you what the problem is;
3. Provide a quote for the repair;
4. Deduct the inspection fee from the repair cost;
5. Offer to sell you a 1-year warranty on the lens.

They *may* offer you a discount on the repair if you agree to purchase the warranty.

F.A.O. big_apple_ken:

The lens may not be very expensive, and certainly not as expensive as the L lens, but it is an IS lens, so it is much more expensive than your average kit lens!

[WalkAbout]

definately have canon take a look. this may just be a problem canon would fix for no charge.

i have a 5d and the warranty was well expired. the mirror box had broken. this repair was on the list for known issues and was repaired for free.

shooting manual mode is great but focusing manually is a pain unless you are doing macro, which most of the time will require manual focusing.

I second that. Shooting manually can be fun and challenging. Personally, I wouldn't risk having it repaired. The lens is not that pricey. If the warranty has expired, the cost may come up almost the same price as the lens itself or half in most cases.

[revanche]

Right, it wouldn't hurt to take it to canon.

[Dreadnought]

Assuming the friend who gave the lens to you is the original owner, the lens will likely be registered in his name, and the CSR at the service centre will ask to verify the information.

Don't worry about this, you can simply provide his/her information for verification purposes and then state that you are the new owner. They will then amend the ownership information of the lens in their records for future use.

[rasbro]

i have the same lens with the same problem. apparently the USM (autofocus motor) is a known problem, after a couple of years it breaks and autofocus no longer works. rough estimates given to me were about 1000HKD and change to fix it.