Canon 28-135mm IS issues

[Stephen Coates]

I bought this off ebay at the beginning of this year for £160, to replace my 28-90mm kit lens. I have made good use of it on my EOS 3000V, but I am finding it a bit big and heavy, so I decided I will just use an EF 50mm/1.8 from now on and sell the 28-135.

A few months ago I had a bit of a problem with it though, which I want to find out the cause of before I sell it.

Suddenly, the lens wouldn't zoom back to 28mm, getting stuck at about 35mm. I manage to force it back to 28mm. But then, I found a little piece of plastic inside the lens. Here are two photographs showing it:

http://stevecoates.net/stuff/lens1.jpg
http://stevecoates.net/stuff/lens2.jpg

I'm not sure what this was from, and I didn't want to take the whole lens apart to try and get at it, but I removed the rubber grip and shook the lens round a bit, and it fell out.

I was wondering if anyone knows what could have caused this. The lens has been banged around a bit whilst in my rucksack (hopefully not banged too much), but it seems to work fine now. I have taken quite a few photos with it and can not tell any difference between these and the ones when I got the lens. I am however, limited by the quality of my film scanner (Minolta Dimage Scan Dual).

I would appreciate any suggestions. I am asking as I am curious, and I don't want to sell a lens as fully working if there may be a small problem with it.

 

[benjiboy]

The only suggestion I can make is to take to a repairer and get an estimate of the repair cost.

 

[haris]

I had problem with stucked zoom too (or was is focus ring) on mine 28-135 few years ago (that is why I don't remeber whch ring was stucked). I gave it to local repairman (not Canon certified) and he made repair in less than 10 minutes for free (of course I gave him some money "for drink a coffee" as we say here when someone don't charge you and you give small amount as curtesy). He said there was plactic part which separate from something, fortunatelly nothing was broken, he put it back and lens works perfectly since then. He even didn't have to open lens barrell, he just remove ring (focus and zoom rings are made of rubber and can be removed without opening lens), put piece back and put ring back at place.

I hope your problem is small like mine, but looking at pictures I am afraid if something is broken...

We are happy here, local repair man make all mechanical parts (including broken or bended shutter leafs) for more than afordable price. And after his job all equipment works better than it was new.

So, go to camera repair shop and see wha they will say.

Good luck.

 

[Stephen Coates]

Thanks for the replies.

I would be surprised if anything is broken badly, as the lens appears to work fine, i.e. I can take good photos with it.

I might take it to the camera shop next time I am passing.