Repair cost for IS on 24-105L -- and alternatives

Last weekend my 24-105L started acting strange. Intermittently the image would jump substantially when I pressed the shutter button fully to take a shot (after half pressing to lock focus and let the IS settle), and you could hear a clunk when the image shift happened. It did not happen on every shot, though, so I need to do some controlled testing (it never happened with IS turned off, though).

Assuming the issue is with the image stabilization, does anyone know approximately how much a repair of the IS system would cost through Canon? If the cost is $300 or more, I do not think it will be worth putting that kind of money into the lens. I would rather just use the lens with the IS shut off and eventually put that money towards another walk around full frame lens.

I like the range of the 24-105L on my 5D3 as a general purpose outdoors walk around, so the new Sigma is attractive, although I understand it is bigger and heavier, which is a significant issue for me. I would consider the Canon 24-70 f/4 IS since its price dropped, but I hate giving up the range on the long end. Or I could go cheap and pick up a 28-135mm IS.

A common problem with the 24-105 is a failure of an internal ribbon cable, and it cost me around $250. for Canon to repair it.

Thanks, Tapeman. Does that internal ribbon cable have anything to do with the IS system? Other than the "jump" of the image and the clunk, the lens is still functioning normally -- auto focus and aperture setting both work fine. Of course, since it just started happening and is very intermittent, it could get worse and begin to affect other functions eventually.

Of course, $250 would be right at that borderline where I'll not be sure if it's worth it to get the lens repaired.

If the repair is that expensive just turn the IS off. I very rarely use IS on any of my lenses these days as I find that it slows the AF and can cause problems with moving subjects, even on my 800 F5.6 L IS L have only used IS once this year and am appreciating the benefits.
Your 5D3 allows you to use high ISO settings so shutter speed should rarely be a problem.

How about the new $599 Canon 24-105 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM?

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …24_105mm_f_3_5_​5_6_is_stm

johnf3f wrote in post #17173785
If the repair is that expensive just turn the IS off. I very rarely use IS on any of my lenses these days as I find that it slows the AF and can cause problems with moving subjects, even on my 800 F5.6 L IS L have only used IS once this year and am appreciating the benefits.
Your 5D3 allows you to use high ISO settings so shutter speed should rarely be a problem.

That is certainly one of the possibilities I am considering, John. There are times, though, where IS does come in handy.

Eastport wrote in post #17173830
How about the new $599 Canon 24-105 f/3.5-5.6 IS STM?

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …24_105mm_f_3_5_​5_6_is_stm

For that price, I could buy another 24-105L. I do not need STM, as I never shoot video.

Scott M wrote in post #17173841
That is certainly one of the possibilities I am considering, John. There are times, though, where IS does come in handy.

For that price, I could buy another 24-105L. I do not need STM, as I never shoot video.

Wait a bit. The price should settle around $300 something.

Because everyone knows you can get a mint 24-105 f/4 IS for about $600 to $650.

If it's $250 it's probably worth repairing. It's a good lens. Especially if you have a good copy. It's not worth changing to the Sigma if you have a good copy of the Canon. The Sigma seems more appealing for other systems imho. If you decide not to repair it, you can always get all the info you can and then sell it with an accurate description of the problem, many people buy broken lenses for parts or to fix.

The new 24-105 looks nice but we don't know enough about it yet.

As a followup, I took the 24-105L out this morning to test and shoot some fall colors. I could not replicate the issue, so I am going to just sit tight and hope the problem was a freak occurrence unless it happens again.

I also could have been nothing more than the contacts were dirty. I have had that happen before