Ruthlessrider wrote:
I’ve sent several lenses back to Canon for cleaning and repair and found them reasonable and efficient.
After discontinuation, at some point Canon runs out of parts to make repairs, declares an item obsolete and refuses to take them in for repairs.
Exactly when this occurs depends upon the product and how much stock of replacement parts remains after it's been discontinued. For example, the EF 200mm f/1.8L USM was made obsolete within a year or two after discontinuation because the parts supply ran out. On the other hand, it was possible to have an EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM lens serviced and repaired by Canon for 7 or 8 years after it was superseded by the "II" model.
To a large extent this is just the nature of "factory" repair services. They don't go in and "fix" a failed component. They "replace" the entire module instead. And they only use brand new, OEM parts.
In contrast, an independent repairer might un-solder a sub-component and replace it with a generic or even a used one, if available. Sometimes independent repairers even make parts, when needed.
For example, over time and with regular use it was a common problem with the Canon 20D through 50D (at least) for the shutter release button to get "gunked up" internally with finger oils and dirt. The symptom of this was a noticeably increased shutter lag that got worse and worse until the shutter wouldn't release at all. If you sent the camera to Canon's factory repair department for a fix, they would simply install a new shutter release button. But all that's usually needed is a good cleaning and re-lubrication, which is what an independent repairer might do, saving the cost of any replacement parts. (In fact, for that particular problem there was a DYI cleaning that required no disassembly of the camera. But that wasn't ideal because it didn't re-lubricate the mechanism, was a bit risky and needed to be done very carefully).
In this case, Canon has declared the EF 28-200mm obsolete, which means they won't even take one in for possible repair. The only option is to have an independent repair shop look at it and give a quote. Since that's not a very valuable lens, it might be better to just try to replace it with a good, used one. If you can find one. (You might end up buying a lens with problems or little lifespan left).
Or look for something else that's similar... for example, the Canon EF 28-135mm IS USM is widely available used for around $100... a little more or a little less depending upon condition... and is a quite good performing "walk-around" lens. Although it dates way back to the days of film, it was often provided as a kit lens on DSLRs. As a result, there are lots of them around. It's image quality, autofocus performance and image stabilization rival that of some considerably more expensive L series lenses, though it's nowhere near as well built or sealed as an L. And, it's also been discontinued within the last year or two, so will eventually not be repairable or serviceable by Canon. (Independent repair may be possible, but may not be worth it on a lens that can be bought so cheaply.)
Of course, 135mm isn't 200mm. There is no Canon 28-200mm exact replacement now. If you need the telephoto reach a "premium" replacement is the EF 28-300mm "L" IS USM, which is a big step up in every way (image quality, IS, build quality, tripod collar and more)... not to mention an additional 100mm focal length. But, it's considerably bigger, heavier and a whole heck of a lot more expensive. It's still in production and can be bought new, but has been around for quite a few years (intro'd in 2004) and is widely available used.