55-250mm IS - Image Stabilizer not working

DM661 wrote:

I've had this lens for a few years and it's always performed great. I'm using a T5i and I've taken many photos @ 250mm (400mm equiv) using IS where you can clearly see the image stabilized on Live Preview when depressing the shutter button half-way.

I took a trip to Alaska and when I went to use the lens, to my chagrin, I noticed that the IS just wasn't working. I cleaned the contacts, messed with the IS on/off switch, etc. and no dif. Auto focus works fine (as good as it does on this lens) at full zoom.

I can hear the click sounds as if the IS is working, but it's not. The clicking sound happens whether the lens cap is on or off and also when I have it in manual focus.

My guess is a bad aperture flex cable in the lens, unless someone can point me to another possible reason/fix? I've read many posts about this and haven't found a case exactly like mine. The other symptom, although I need to do more tests to confirm this, is bad blurring at the edges. Probably from trying to shoot at 400mm handheld but not sure.

IMO these type of lenses are not worth fixing.

You are better selling the lens as is while it still semi works and buying the STM version.

On Ebay a new one can be had for less than 150 USD EFS 55-250mm STM

I had the Is version in the past and the STM version is a step up.

The only parts i see are the aperture flex cable. The risks involved fixing the lens is just not worth it. You could buy the wrong part, break something else while repairing it, not reassemble correctly or brick the lens completely.