Should I repair my lens? I have a Canon 28-135mm lens that may need to be repaired. The lens zoom mechanism will not work. I can see a small metal part behind the front lens wiggling...

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I have a Canon 28-135mm lens that may need to be repaired. The lens zoom mechanism will not work. I can see a small metal part behind the front lens wiggling around. Also, the aperture blades are stuck in a closed position. This lens is more than 10 years old. Does it pay to repair it or buy a used version or buy a Canon or Sigma 24-105mm lens?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I bought and sold the EF 28-135 IS for around $125 back about a decade ago. There's no way you can get a "repair" on that equipment for the same price. The IS on this lens is generation I. If you're not going mirrorless, you're be best served with the EF 24-105 f/4L IS II. The 2nd generation is so much improved, and leaped ahead of the cheaper Sony, where the Sony was better than the gen I of the 24-105L Canon.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Hmmm.
Repair price v. new price?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Longshadow wrote:

Hmmm.
Repair price v. new price?

There's no new price on a late 1990s lens ...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CHG_CANON wrote:

There's no new price on a late 1990s lens ...

Obviously. Price on a <new> replacement lens........

"Replacement" does not imply "same".

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Longshadow wrote:

Obviously. Price on a <new> replacement lens........

I'm seeing prices $70 - $150, still significantly cheaper than any newer L-series zooms. But, as a go-to focal length, I'd be thinking more about the future than how much longer another copy of a cheaper 1998 lens could last into the 21st century.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CHG_CANON wrote:

I'm seeing prices $70 - $150, still significantly cheaper than any newer L-series zooms. But, as a go-to focal length, I'd be thinking more about the future than how much longer another copy of a cheaper 1998 lens could last into the 21st century.

I've been using a Sigma 18-200 exclusively for years now. It replaced both an 18-55 and a 55-250 Canon OEMs.
Yea, I lost a bit on the top end, but I wasn't worried about it.
I'd have no problem changing focal length from the original lens, as long as they are similar.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If it were mine, I would try to repair it.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Canon+28-135mm+lens+repair

You can also find one on eBay. Recent sales below.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=canon+28-135mm&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1

brentrh Loc: Deltona, FL

Had failure of a good zoom lens at gator national years ago go vibrating stands and all that comes with a nitro pass. Zoom came off the track sent it back to Canon cheaper than buying a new lens. Lens back from Canon like bran new. Use it today on mirrorless camera

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Scruples wrote:

I have a Canon 28-135mm lens that may need to be repaired. The lens zoom mechanism will not work. I can see a small metal part behind the front lens wiggling around. Also, the aperture blades are stuck in a closed position. This lens is more than 10 years old. Does it pay to repair it or buy a used version or buy a Canon or Sigma 24-105mm lens?

I have a similar lens (different brand) which shows symptoms much the same as your lens. I suspect that an internal ribbon cable has become disconnected at one end and "jammed up the works." Fixing it should be just about the simplest repair possible for a lens. I can't find anyone willing even to take a look at it.

Unfortunately, trash and replace has become the go-to response when something goes a little bit wrong. I hope you can find someone who will take a close look and see if repair is possible. Then you can decide your best path forward.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Scruples wrote:

I have a Canon 28-135mm lens that may need to be repaired. The lens zoom mechanism will not work. I can see a small metal part behind the front lens wiggling around. Also, the aperture blades are stuck in a closed position. This lens is more than 10 years old. Does it pay to repair it or buy a used version or buy a Canon or Sigma 24-105mm lens?

I just bought a brand new 28-135mm - You might not get the old one repaired for less than a new one, but ask your closest camera repair shop. I had another Canon zoom lens repaired with the same problem you have - but it was a better quality lens. Apparently, it's not an unusual problem and it's easy to replace the broken part. In Toronto we have an excellent Canon repair shop that charges acceptable rates.

The 28-135 continues to be my favorite lens. It does seem odd that a cheap lens can be so good. I recently shot a wedding with it and all the pics are wonderful. Bride & groom were so happy with the book I designed for them.

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Well, my goto lens is the EF-S 18x135. Check out comparison with your 28x135 - if you don't have the full frame camera. Here is a comparison: https://cameradecision.com/lenses/compare/Canon-EF-S-18-135mm-f3.5-5.6-IS-STM-vs-Canon-EF-28-105mm-f4.0-5.6-USM

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

revhen wrote:

Well, my goto lens is the EF-S 18x135. Check out comparison with your 28x135 - if you don't have the full frame camera. Here is a comparison: https://cameradecision.com/lenses/compare/Canon-EF-S-18-135mm-f3.5-5.6-IS-STM-vs-Canon-EF-28-105mm-f4.0-5.6-USM

OP is a full-frame shooter. Only.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Scruples wrote:

I have a Canon 28-135mm lens that may need to be repaired. The lens zoom mechanism will not work. I can see a small metal part behind the front lens wiggling around. Also, the aperture blades are stuck in a closed position. This lens is more than 10 years old. Does it pay to repair it or buy a used version or buy a Canon or Sigma 24-105mm lens?

The problem is possibly a broken flex ribbon. This is a known issue with that lens.

Here is a replacement ribbon on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Aperture-Ribbon-Repair-Replacement-28-135mm/dp/B081SW4WVR

Of course the problem could also be elsewhere. This video is for disassembly, repair and reassembly of that lens, if you feel comfortable doing the work yourself. Unless you are willing to research the issue and fix it yourself, I wouldn't bother repairing it. The expense would far exceed the value of the lens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1ILtMsPeMA

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Thanks to everyone at UHH! I’m going to pick up a new lens at B&H. I especially love the little candy dishes on all the counters. I grab a few candies for my wife and I. I will give my old lens to my son. He would like to take things apart. (He has a PhD)