Canon 17-85mm f4-5.6 - Sell or get a new lens ?

A few years ago, I've purchased the Canon 17-85mm as a replacement to the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my camera. Now it just happens to me that the lens' auto focus function started malfunctioning as it wouldn't focus on subjects and tends to focus in and out repeatedly, never locking on. I've done some research about this issue (My camera body, being the 70D, is perfectly fine. I've tested the auto focus on other lens and they all work) and it turns out I only have 2 choices. Either I can fix the lens (which will cost me more than $100) or sell the lens and upgrade to a better one.

I love the focal length of the 17-85mm as my photography style range from portraits to macro and to landscape, but one of the lens' drawbacks is how small the aperture is.

Due to the lens' auto focusing function not working correctly, I'm deciding whether I should just pick up another lens as trying to repair my 17-85mm simply wouldn't be worth it.

If I were to sell the lens off and buy another lens, what lens would you guys recommend ? I would highly prefer if the focal length was similar to the 17-85mm and generally under $400. I'm currently considering the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8 or the Canon 17-40mm f4 USM L (Yes, despite the small aperture, the pictures come out great, along with somewhat similar focal length. And of course, it's a "L" lens).

Any feedback would be helpful Thanks !

A used 15-85mm may be a good option for you...

The Sigma 17-70 is a stop faster on the long end, and is generally a good lens. If you're satisfied with the IQ of the 17-85, the 17-70 is a decent upgrade.

A used 15-85mm may be a good option for you...

The 15-85mm would seem to fit due to it's focal length, but it's lacking the quietness and quickness from the auto focus. Coming from a USM lens, this can be quiet bothering to me.

Another priority I forgot to mention when I was listing out what I need in a lens, is it's resale value. I really wouldn't prefer a good lens with a horrible resale value (As I plan to be able to sell the lens if I want to upgrade in the future).

I thinking of getting the Sigma 17-70mm or the Canon 17-40mm L as I heard great things about them. I'm not completely sure about the resale value of these lens, so does anyone happen to know ?

The 15-85 is a USM lens and is a huge step up for the 17-85 in terms of image quality, AF performance and build quality.  I have owned both lenses and preferred the 15-85 hands down over the 17-85, plus the extra width of the 15mm vs 17mm is noticeable.

Another alternative is the 18-135 STM.  The image quality is not quite as good as the 15-85 and it is not as wide, but it is better than the 17-85, focuses quieter than both and the extra reach is a big benefit.  I am currently using this lens and don't find that I miss the 15-85 as much as I thought I would.  My EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM Pancake arrived today and I can't wait to get out and use that one.

My $0.02 worth

Dave

ItsMeta wrote:

A used 15-85mm may be a good option for you...

The 15-85mm would seem to fit due to it's focal length, but it's lacking the quietness and quickness from the auto focus. Coming from a USM lens, this can be quiet bothering to me.

Another priority I forgot to mention when I was listing out what I need in a lens, is it's resale value. I really wouldn't prefer a good lens with a horrible resale value (As I plan to be able to sell the lens if I want to upgrade in the future).

I thinking of getting the Sigma 17-70mm or the Canon 17-40mm L as I heard great things about them. I'm not completely sure about the resale value of these lens, so does anyone happen to know ?

ItsMeta wrote:

A used 15-85mm may be a good option for you...

The 15-85mm would seem to fit due to it's focal length, but it's lacking the quietness and quickness from the auto focus. Coming from a USM lens, this can be quiet bothering to me.

15-85mm is a USM lens. CA, distortion and sharpness are all much better than the 17-85, which is quite a pedestrian lens in those areas.

The 18-135 STM as suggested should also be good...it's very sharp, and the STM motors are incredibly quiet (exception being 40mm f/2.8 STM prime).

Another priority I forgot to mention when I was listing out what I need in a lens, is it's resale value. I really wouldn't prefer a good lens with a horrible resale value (As I plan to be able to sell the lens if I want to upgrade in the future).

That's something you'll unfortunately take a hit on with EF-S lenses. The good ones (17-55/2.8, 15-85) have decent resale, but not in the same league as the L lenses.

I thinking of getting the Sigma 17-70mm or the Canon 17-40mm L as I heard great things about them. I'm not completely sure about the resale value of these lens, so does anyone happen to know ?

The 17-40mm is a bit of a silly range on crop...if you're used to the length of the 17-85, the 17-40 will be severely lacking on the long end for reach. It has good IQ on a crop, but also keep in mind it lacks IS.

Sigma 17-70 is a decent lens, but resale will be mediocre at best. Also note that Sigma lenses may need detailed AF adjustment to work properly on some bodies.

A key draw for the Sigma is the fact that it's 2/3rd stop faster on the wide end than either the 15-85 or 18-135 (f/2.8 instead of f/3.5), and a stop faster on the long end vs the 17-85 and 15-85 (f/4 rather than f/5.6)