Fix 17-85 IS USM or Temp Substitute?

My EF-S 17-85 IS USM is acting up again and needs to go to the shop. I had this issue a few years ago when it was still under warranty and they replaced the focus mechanism in it. The lens hunts at the longer end of the range and never decides on a point to focus on and the autofocus is off on the lower end of the range as well. My plan was to replace this lens with a 24-105L later this year but I am not in a position to do so now. I am going on my honeymoon in May and need a lens other than my 70-200L to take with. So my question is, is it worth spending the $150+ to get the 17-85 fixed or is there another zoom in the $150-$200 range that can tide me over until I can get the 24-105L. Is there much resale value left in the 17-85 to justify the repair?

Thanks!

tubawxman wrote in post #17445004
My EF-S 17-85 IS USM is acting up again and needs to go to the shop. I had this issue a few years ago when it was still under warranty and they replaced the focus mechanism in it. The lens hunts at the longer end of the range and never decides on a point to focus on and the autofocus is off on the lower end of the range as well. My plan was to replace this lens with a 24-105L later this year but I am not in a position to do so now. I am going on my honeymoon in May and need a lens other than my 70-200L to take with. So my question is, is it worth spending the $150+ to get the 17-85 fixed or is there another zoom in the $150-$200 range that can tide me over until I can get the 24-105L. Is there much resale value left in the 17-85 to justify the repair?

Thanks!

Heya,

At $200, the only thing close would be to find a kit lens that is like 18-135 STM or close to that. I've seen them as low as $285 for people selling them from kits.

An obvious lens for me here would be the newer 15-85 to replace it with, but it's twice the cost you probably are ready to go in for.

I wouldn't waste the money on the 24-105L kit, on APS-C anyways, you're likely better off with a simple 18-135 STM or 15-85 USM frankly.

Very best,

What he said. Get a used 18-55 IS of some flavor to tide you over and buy a 15-85 or 18-135 STM. Or just suck it up and buy either one of those now. The 17-85 is now garbage, nobody is going to give you anything for it.

FEChariot wrote in post #17445104
The 17-85 is now garbage, nobody is going to give you anything for it.

Well if it's broken and will cost $200 to fix, then, yes, it is garbage. Otherwise it's a good - not very good - lens. Particularly outdoors in good light. The results in such conditions with the recommended replacement (the 18-135STM) will not be better. But I do recommend the 18-135STM notwithstanding that judgement. At $300 used mint you can't go wrong and you get much more reach, a quiet motor for video etc etc. I used to own the 17-85 and sold it when I went to full frame but it was a wonderful outdoor lens that was quite versatile. Don't knock it unless you've owned it and can be specific about its limitations. It can be a fine lens for some folks.

I like the 17-85 for the most part. I was not aware that the value of it had gone down. I stopped following lens development and lenses overall a year and a half ago when I left my job and went back to school. So it seems that fixing it would not really be worth it. Guess I need to dig into the more recent EF-S offerings and pick one to hold me over until I can really upgrade.

Look for a used Sigma 17-70OS. Very nice lens, perfect replacement to your 17-85, even if only temporary.

FEChariot wrote in post #17445104
The 17-85 is now garbage, nobody is going to give you anything for it.

not really true...he could easily sell it on ebay for $75

that being said, this is a common problem for this lens, i believe it's usually the flex cable, and there are quite a few videos out there showing how to do the fix, if you feel like giving it a go

Don't sell the 17-85.

It's an excellent lens and don't get you any money. If you want to taste something new, try the following:
- 18-135STM for versatility, excellent picture quality and a walkaround lens for a APS-C sensor.
- 24-105L for superb build quality, even nicer picture quality (not much), and upgrading perspective to FF cameras.

If the less-than-24mm is important to you in that particular lens and you haven't another, go for the first. If not, go for the second, it's a more difficult choice, but the second could take the edge if you find a good price.

DreDaze wrote in post #17446860
not really true...he could easily sell it on ebay for $75

Ok I suppose there are people buying with intent of repairing them by themselves and flipping them. But since you can buy used ones in working order for the same price as the repair cost the OP quoted, I wouldn't buy his for actual use for me at least.

FEChariot wrote in post #17447976
Ok I suppose there are people buying with intent of repairing them by themselves and flipping them. But since you can buy used ones in working order for the same price as the repair cost the OP quoted, I wouldn't buy his for actual use for me at least.

Oh, I wouldn't buy it either, but someone would. I just wanted the op to know it does have value, even if it's broken

After doing some research, that fix looks like more than I want to take on right now. I do like the lens, so I'm currently leaning towards buying another copy and selling the one I have for parts/repair. I guess I didn't put in the right combo of terms on Google to find that others were having the same issue. It is too bad Canon isn't fixing this for a lower cost since it is a common issue. I'm lucky I caught it the fist time with 5 days remaining on the warranty.

Overall, I like the focal range and the results of the 17-85 for the most part when it is working correctly. The 18-55 has a smaller range and I am not sold on the STM when I will only be using it for stills.

i would get the 18-135STM instead of buying the same lens...who's to say the next one wouldn't do the same thing, the 18-135STM hasn't displayed any problems, gives you better IS, more range, and there should be a slight improvement on IQ...and they're both going to be close to the same price

Since I will not be using it for video, is the STM version of the 18-135 that much of an improvement over the non-STM version? The STM version is a little more than I wanted to spend, but if it is worth it, I can up my budget.

I agree with people saying it's not worth repairing. I look at it this way it's broken once already and will probably break again. For less than the $150 you would spend to repair it you could get a 18-55 STM which is a really good lens for the price, or like others have said for a little more the 18-135 STM which is also a great lens for being a kit lens.

tubawxman wrote in post #17448485
Since I will not be using it for video, is the STM version of the 18-135 that much of an improvement over the non-STM version? The STM version is a little more than I wanted to spend, but if it is worth it, I can up my budget.

i don't have any direct experience with it, but i'd assume it'd be equal if not better than the 17-85mm