100-400mm repair input

Just got my email from Canon Repair Service today. The AF in my 100-400mm quit work. Quote price to replace parts and service the camera is $383. This was a lens I bought from Adorama in 2009 used. Don't know the U-code, as I think it must have worn off by the time I got it....because I can't find it anywhere. [I think someone said it's possible this lens had been serviced before....and hence it's possible that part of the mount has been replaced!]

This is the first significant repair I've encountered. I like this lens a lot. It's on the camera all the time during high school football season. Just not sure where $383 is worth it to repair a lens that might be 15 years old. Should I just scrap things and buy a Sigma 150-500?

Curious what you think! Thanks.

$76/yr of ownership. I wouldnt hesitate to have it repaired if it were mine.

BeritOlam wrote in post #17138048
Just got my email from Canon Repair Service today. The AF in my 100-400mm quit work. Quote price to replace parts and service the camera is $383. This was a lens I bought from Adorama in 2009 used. Don't know the U-code, as I think it must have worn off by the time I got it....because I can't find it anywhere. [I think someone said it's possible this lens had been serviced before....and hence it's possible that part of the mount has been replaced!]

This is the first significant repair I've encountered. I like this lens a lot. It's on the camera all the time during high school football season. Just not sure where $383 is worth it to repair a lens that might be 15 years old. Should I just scrap things and buy a Sigma 150-500?

Curious what you think! Thanks.

Here's my analogy, you brought a used car lets say a 2001 model for 1800.00, car is in tip top shape and you need an alternator, parts and labor come to 383 would you scrape it, or sell it at a big loss? I say repair the lens. Ask canon if they can determine the production date there maybe hidden numbers inside.

Heya,

$383 is a lot cheaper than having a dead lens, and shelling out $1k~$1.5k for the same thing again.

If you just wanted a different lens, it's still much more economical to get the lens repaired, sell it for $1k, recoup $700, and put that towards a new lens (like a Sigma 120-300 F2.8; not just another F5.6 lens). I don't understand why you would NOT repair this lens, at $383.

Very best,

For $383 it'd be a no-brainer to pull the trigger on the repair. It'll cost 3-5x that to get another one.

if you're really truly worried about the age of the lens you could always sell it for parts on ebay...probably get like $500 for it or so...that plus your $400 would be at about $250 short of a refurbished model...

so basically you could pay $650 for a refurb...or just have the lens repaired for $400...seems like the repair is the best way to go

Are you a member of CPS? You have enough gear that this one repair will save the cost of a year gold membership.

Thanks guys. My first inclination was to fix it. But since this is only a business I do on the side, I've never had occasion to send in a lens for repair/service....so I just was making sure I was doing the right thing. Believe me, I have no worries about older lenses....or else I would have sold my 35-350mm a long time ago!