Lens Repair: Cheap ($200) kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS) has stopped auto focusing. Will not allow camera shutter to work unless auto-focus is turned off. Sought help from Canon.

PGPreuss Loc: Queensbury, New York, USA

Cheap ($200) kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS) has stopped auto focusing. Will not allow camera shutter to work unless auto-focus is turned off. Sought help from Canon. They recommended cleaning contacts. Tried that. All my other lenses function. Then Canon said return for repair. Is it worth sending in for repair or should I just spend the bucks and get a new and better 18-55mm lens?

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

I'm guessing this lens has some miles on it. If so, I'd update it with the latest lens.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

didn't realize it had gotten so expensive, consider the Sigma 17-70, I only use the 18-55 on my T1i or T4i now when I want a lightweight daytime lens, Sigma is longer(70), shorter(17) , faster(2.8), heavier, Bob.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

oops

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Agree! It's a better lens.

Swamp Gator Loc: Coastal South Carolina

$200 lenses, like $200 TVs and $200 computers are pretty much disposable appliances these days.
You could try to eBay it. Be 100% honest about the condition. You would be surprised how much people will pay for broken stuff.

hmmjr Loc: VA

The cost to repair inexpensive kit lens exceeds their value! I know Tamron charges a minimum of $160 to repair one of their lenses. Canon is probably similar. Take the money you would spend on repair and put it towards a new and better lens.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

I'm not a macro shooter and don't have any idea on how to do this but I've read some posts about turning a lens around and shooting macro (?) - might find a use for it there - or put it in the classified - someone might have a use for it or want it for parts....

PGPreuss Loc: Queensbury, New York, USA

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. Just unpacked the lens and will be researching new lens with information provided. I will call Canon tomorrow just to see what their base price would have been.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

PGPreuss wrote:

Cheap ($200) kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS) has stopped auto focusing. Will not allow camera shutter to work unless auto-focus is turned off. Sought help from Canon. They recommended cleaning contacts. Tried that. All my other lenses function. Then Canon said return for repair. Is it worth sending in for repair or should I just spend the bucks and get a new and better 18-55mm lens?

It all depends on how useful is the lens to you. It is a kit lens and there are certainly better lenses made by Canon that could do a better job.
If the repair is not very expensive and indeed you love your lens repairing it is a good choice.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Swamp Gator wrote:

You could try to eBay it. Be 100% honest about the condition. You would be surprised how much people will pay for broken stuff.

Right! you can't repair photo equipment without parts, and there are lots of good parts in broken equipment.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Hi. My name is Rick. Im the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. Ive been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair the lens for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If youre interested, please respond by private message or simply reply to this post.

PGPreuss wrote:

Cheap ($200) kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS) has stopped auto focusing. Will not allow camera shutter to work unless auto-focus is turned off. Sought help from Canon. They recommended cleaning contacts. Tried that. All my other lenses function. Then Canon said return for repair. Is it worth sending in for repair or should I just spend the bucks and get a new and better 18-55mm lens?

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

PGPreuss wrote:

Cheap ($200) kit lens (Canon EF-S 18-55mm IS) has stopped auto focusing. Will not allow camera shutter to work unless auto-focus is turned off. Sought help from Canon. They recommended cleaning contacts. Tried that. All my other lenses function. Then Canon said return for repair. Is it worth sending in for repair or should I just spend the bucks and get a new and better 18-55mm lens?

Dump it ...

GTinSoCal Loc: Palmdale, CA

bobmcculloch wrote:

didn't realize it had gotten so expensive, consider the Sigma 17-70, I only use the 18-55 on my T1i or T4i now when I want a lightweight daytime lens, Sigma is longer(70), shorter(17) , faster(2.8), heavier, Bob.

:lol:

that pretty much sums it up!

Sounds like a good excuse to get a new lens, have to support the GAS
:-D

GT

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

KEH camera will repair any lens for $195. That includes shipping back to you. Worth a thought.