Lens not focusing as it should: I have a canon 24 - 105 IS L lens that I have had for a long time. This lens has always performed well. Lately it is slowing down or having difficulty...

Dan5000 Loc: New Hampshire

I have a canon 24 - 105 IS L lens that I have had for a long time. This lens has always performed well. Lately it is slowing down or having difficulty focusing. I'm not sure what might be causing this issue. Anyone have thoughts or suggestions on what the possible causes might be?
Thanks,
Dan

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Problems with the internal ribbon cable? A known issue.
Mine failed to completly focus after ~ 17000 photographs.

cmc65

Dan5000 wrote:

I have a canon 24 - 105 IS L lens that I have had for a long time. This lens has always performed well. Lately it is slowing down or having difficulty focusing. I'm not sure what might be causing this issue. Anyone have thoughts or suggestions on what the possible causes might be?
Thanks,
Dan

Try cleaning the contacts really well on lens and camera.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

As said previously, there is a known internal ribbon cable issue with this lens. The repair cost from Canon is reportedly in the $300-$350 range. Clean the contacts as suggested and pray that fixes it. I have the same lens that is probably almost 5 years old without a failure, but I haven’t used it for more than 1000-2000 exposures.

Dan5000 Loc: New Hampshire

Thanks for the info Richard.

Dan5000 Loc: New Hampshire

cmc65 wrote:

Try cleaning the contacts really well on lens and camera.

Thanks. Cleaning the lens contacts didn't help but it was worth a try.

Dan5000 Loc: New Hampshire

Thanks Trix. this has been my go to lens for years. I have shot thousands of images with it. I'm disappointed that it has failed.

khorinek

Dan5000 wrote:

I have a canon 24 - 105 IS L lens that I have had for a long time. This lens has always performed well. Lately it is slowing down or having difficulty focusing. I'm not sure what might be causing this issue. Anyone have thoughts or suggestions on what the possible causes might be?
Thanks,
Dan

That lens has had issues from day one. I had it for a while and was disappointed in it because it was soft from 80mm to 105mm, I just could not get sharp images in that range. If you are considering getting it fixed ($350-400) I would add another $400 and replace it with the version II.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

RichardTaylor wrote:

Problems with the internal ribbon cable? A known issue.
Mine failed to completly focus after ~ 17000 photographs.

Same here. Cost $250 to get it repaired.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Dan5000 wrote:

I have a canon 24 - 105 IS L lens that I have had for a long time. This lens has always performed well. Lately it is slowing down or having difficulty focusing. I'm not sure what might be causing this issue. Anyone have thoughts or suggestions on what the possible causes might be?
Thanks,
Dan

Parts is parts. They wear over time. I would give my folks at Canon a call and ask a tech. for advice.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

RichardTaylor wrote:

Mine failed to completly focus after ~ 17000 photographs.

See? It was your own fault. You shouldn't have used it so much.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

khorinek wrote:

That lens has had issues from day one. I had it for a while and was disappointed in it because it was soft from 80mm to 105mm, I just could not get sharp images in that range. If you are considering getting it fixed ($350-400) I would add another $400 and replace it with the version II.

That's always a big decision: repair or replace. I tend to go with replace, depending on the age and the cost of repair.

williejoha

Like RichardTaylor said. The internal ribbon cable is the culprit. Had to have mine replaced.
WJH

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Call Canon Tech Svs. (877) 287-7032. They are great.

Jim Plogger Loc: East Tennessee

Royal Camera Service was cheaper than Canon. $261 total to repair (internal ribbon cable). Mine has worked perfectly ever since having them do the repair.

http://www.royalcameras.com/