dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

I recently mounted my aging Canon 28-300 L lens on my 5D Mk4 camera. Camera mode was Manual and lens set to AF, Stabilizer ON, Stabilizer Mode 1. I extended the lens to about 200mm and pushed the shutter trigger half-way down to activate AF. In the viewfinder I could see the image vibrating radically and it wouldn't stop until I let go of the trigger. I first thought that my 5D4 was malfunctioning and the sensor cleaning cycle was somehow activated. I put the lens on my 7DII and it did the same thing. On my 5Ds...the same thing. I concluded it wasn't the camera, but rather the lens. Changing to Manual Focus did not help. Finally, I switched the Stabilizer to OFF and the vibration ceased. Keep in mind it only vibrates when the trigger is half-way down...and, you can trigger the shutter during this action. See attached image. The vibration seems to be in a lateral direction. I have not tested in Stabilizer Mode 2 to see if the axis changes to vertical. My question is...have any Hogs ever seen this happen, and if so, what did you do? Sending it to Canon is probably the necessary next step, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone who may have experienced this problem before. I'm of course guessing that it has to do with the stabilizer feature. I did clean the contacts of the lens but maybe a more thorough cleaning is necessary?

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rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Do you have about $650 to spare? That's about what it will cost tohave Canon make your 28-300L work as good as new. Price includes shipping to New Jersey.
My 28-300L first began to malfunction when I started using it on my 5D IV. I doubt it has anything to do with the body, just a coincidence, but it worked fine on my other bodies, for a while, then it failed on every body I tried it on.
like yours, mine is also an older one and it served me well for many years. Apparently there is a problem that manifests itself in well used 28-300L lenses. Long story short, Canon replaced the IS mechanism and the AF circuitry and a few other worn out parts in my lens and now it is good as new, complete with a one-year warranty.
I originally took the lens to an independent repair shop but after he took it apart he told me what was wrong and that it is a common problem with that lens and it would cost less to repair if I sent it to Canon. He put it back together, no charge.
I shipped it to Canon repair in New Jersey and after a clerical problem and payment, it was fixed and shipped back in one day.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

I've never encountered this before, but from the description you give it seems like the lens IS has decided to malfunction. Checking it in Mode 2 might tell you which axis is causing the problem, but I don't see any cure except a repair shop. I recently had one of my cameras into Canon's repair facility in NJ. They were very quick and efficient. I was completely satisfied with the service.
Good luck!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

You put that lens on top of an awfully young and sexy camera. I think you gave it a heart attack!!!
Old men do the same thing sometimes, when put on top of very young and sexy women!!!
I think there's a moral here somewhere!?!?!
SS

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

My sincere thanks to all three of you who responded so far. RMorrison, you seem to have nailed the solution and I will definitely contact Canon for a repair authorization. About a year ago I sent in my 24-105 with what was described as a "common problem" involving a ribbon cable that apparently would wear through and had to be replaced for about $350. Again, it was a well used lens with some whiskers on it. It's back and performing perfectly once again. I suspect this will be a similar outcome. While $650 sounds a bit rich, one has to take into consideration the cost of a new one and then it doesn't sound quite so bad.

LFingar, I too have had nothing but excellent service from the NJ Canon facility. While I have been fortunate not to have frequent need of their services, they have responded well when the need did arise. Thanks for your input.

Now, Sharpshooter...yours is certainly the most creative response and I must admit you have provided some levity in what otherwise is a bit of a downer. I would agree that the 5D4 could be described as a sexy camera. The 7DII is at least foxy enough to stimulate some emotion, and the 5Ds is nothing but satisfying as well. In any case, at my age, I would not have come up with your analogy right away, but I do seem to remember that such an experience could be at least overwhelming and ultimately fatal at worst. Thanks for the hearty laugh...I needed that!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Your repair may not be as extensive as mine was. You may just need the $350 service. Mine needed a lot of parts and I'm sure the AF circuitry isn't cheap.
The way I look at it, I bought the lens second hand many years ago for a very good price. I've been using the lens for many years. It is my favorite lens for general photography.
For $650 Canon cleaned and rebuilt the lens and it is now good as new.
The original cost of the lens plus the cost of rebuilding it was still less than a new one costs.
I'm happy...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Excuse me?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It looks like morrison has your answer. Time to start shopping for a nice new lens. Sell the old one on ebay "For Parts."

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I've seen that same problem in a few lenses, although they were other models... not the 28-300mm.

Most likely it's the IS system is failing... or, more accurately, some component of it is. It also can be the AF system continuously "hunting", but because it seems to stop the movement when you switch off IS, that's much more likely where the fault lies. The lens' systems are not "powered on" until you half-press the shutter release (and/or press the AF On button). That's why all seems fine until you press the button. These failures aren't common... but the do happen.

If the lens is in warranty, definitely send it to Canon.

If it's not in warranty, Canon will repair it or you might be able to find a local repairer who can fix it. It might be cheaper if you and the repairer don't need to ship the lens there and back... Also factory service facilities such as Canon's generally just replace entire modules... While a local repairer might identify a failed component within the module and only replace that, at lower cost to you. But it's hard to say exactly what's needed and possible. You need to get the lens in the hands of a repairer. It was a good idea to try cleaning the electronic contacts... but that was a long shot and when it doesn't work, there's not really much more you can do about it. It's unlikely it "just needs cleaning" (though a repairer will usually clean, lubricate and re-calibrate a lens when doing repairs that require major disassembly).

It's probably well worth repairing, though yYou won't know for certain until you get a repair quote. But the 28-300mm L costs $2400+ new and it commonly sells for $1200 to $2000 used. So a repair costing up to $650 or so to put the lens back into "like new" condition would be a good deal. If you were to sell the lens "for parts", you'd likely only get a fraction of its normal used value. Selling "for parts" is usually only a good strategy for cheaper gear, things that depreciate more than lenses (such as DSLRs themselves), or for unrepairable items (such as an older/discontinued lens, because replacement parts aren't available, supplies have been exhausted).

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

Probably unfairly, I am going to plug Nikon for a moment. My older lenses are AF that are mechically driven by a focus motor in the body. Apertures are set with a mechical coupling to the Aperture Index tab. [they eliminated this with the “G” lenses]. The older lenses have metal bodies and built with minimal electronics. IQ is very comparable to new fancy glass with the exception of contrast which is an easy fix in PP.

dkguill Loc: Elkhart, IN

As an update, I just got around to sending this lens to the Canon repair center in N.J. Just got the estimate for repair including replacement of the IS module, return shipping, and tax...$461.95.
I expect the lens to be shipped within 7 days, however, history would predict they will be quicker than that. My experience is that they are fast and thorough. I consider the price to be reasonable to re-enable a lens that would cost about $2500 to replace. I highly recommend going to the guys who do it right.