Help needed! Broken IS on 70-200, costly repair

I handed in my 70-200 2.8 IS to a canon repair center about a month ago since the image in the viewfinder kept jumping whenever I used the lens in portrait mode. I also noticed there was a small piece of plastic inside the lens so obviously something was broken in there.

Well, they just called me and said that the IS is broken and needs to be replaced. They also gave me a quote... $1150!!!! INSANE. That's almost what I bought it for. What should I do? Prices for camera equipment here in Sweden is way higher than in the US so I assume that goes for service as well.

Enjoy your 70-200 non iS?

honestly, sorry to hear about your lens, but there is no way I would spend that much money on a repair.

Maybe you can sell it to someone here in the US??

Oliviero wrote in post #8723105
I handed in my 70-200 2.8 IS to a canon repair center about a month ago since the image in the viewfinder kept jumping whenever I used the lens in portrait mode. I also noticed there was a small piece of plastic inside the lens so obviously something was broken in there.

Well, they just called me and said that the IS is broken and needs to be replaced. They also gave me a quote... $1150!!!! INSANE. That's almost what I bought it for. What should I do? Prices for camera equipment here in Sweden is way higher than in the US so I assume that goes for service as well.

id buy a new one for that price! id sell it to someone as a NON-IS version being that its broken for the same amount that you can get for a used 2.8 Non-IS.

Agreed.

Here in Singapore, we can trade in if we don't want to repair things (or it can't be repaired, like the 28-70L) and get something else.

But I'd get the plastic thing out first and use it without IS.

If I can't find a place to have it repaired for a smaller sum then I'm seriously considering just using it without the IS.

Nputer, I doubt that would be a very profitable deal seeing how your prices are significantly lower than ours. Any idea how much such a repair would cost there?

That not only sucks, it's ridiculous. Did you drop it? Are you the original owner? I'd be interested to know how that could happen with normal useage. I'd contact Canon directly and see what they can do for you, perhaps absorb the parts or labor. Go right to the top. What have you got to lose. Write letters, make some calls. Good luck and keep us posted.

me

I'd probably try and fix it myself, but I'm silly that way.

There's a thread somewhere which shows someone repairing their 70-200 2.8 IS after it broke. For the price they're asking, that would be worth looking into!

If your lens was insured would you be able to call it a write off?

Here in the US, the last time I checked, the early 70-200/2.8 could have the newer updated IS installed for $600 or $650. But, that was a couple years ago. I believe it replaces the entire IS module.

Now from what I understand about that replacement, there's no functional change or improvement. The only difference is greater relability... not that there's a known issue with earlier lenses or anything. It was just a "silent upgrade" that was made to the lens a few years ago.

Another thing, here in the U.S. you could join Canon Professional Services (CPS) and get a discount on the repair (but you have to have at least two qualifying "pro" cameras and three "pro" lenses).

You might check independent repair shops to see if they will do the repair cheaper.

Finally the site is up and running again.

I've heard of CPS but I don't qualify since I have only a single body. I'm not sure if my lens has undergone an IS upgrade the likes of which you are referring to.

I never even considered repairing it myself since that'd definitely be the end of a fine lens However, I've tried to contact a few other service centres but I'm still waiting for quotes.

I called my insurance company the other day and told them the whole story and it actually looks like they'll cover it. All I have to do is to fill out a damage report form (or whatever you call it) and wait for them to finish all the paperwork. It means that the lens wont be repaired any time soon but if that's the price to pay for getting it for free than I'd be more than happy to wait.

I'll keep you updated. Thanks for all the advice so far.

Quick, sell it on eBay. Make sure IS is in big print in the title, and some very tiny print at the bottom wher it says IS not working.

gasrocks wrote in post #8726123
Quick, sell it on eBay.

I probably would but I'd much rather keep it. However, if the insurance company decides not to cover the cost of the repair then I might consider it.