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My EF-S 18-135 is behaving oddly - can it be fixed or repaired?

Started Dec 27, 2014 | Questions
Lars J Forum Member • Posts: 92
My EF-S 18-135 is behaving oddly - can it be fixed or repaired?

I have an EF-S 18-135mm (1st gen, non-STM) that I have been very happy with so far, but it has developed some problems in the last few months.

In the 18-22mm range, the lens has two problems (that seem related):

1. The focal length is reported to be 135mm (instead of 18mm), which limits the aperture to 5.6. (This also has the annoying side effect of causing software that does lens correction to correct it the wrong way)

2. In the same range, the autofocus is stuttering.

Now... Is there something I can do to fix it myself? Or is it worth sending it in for repair? (out of warranty by now) If so, how much can I expect it to cost? Or should I just go ahead and replace it with the 18-135mm STM?

Thanks for any advice...

 Lars J's gear list:Lars J's gear list
Canon EOS 80D Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Canon EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM +1 more
ANSWER:
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OhioBob Regular Member • Posts: 429
Re: My EF-S 18-135 is behaving oddly - can it be fixed or repaired?
1

If it were me I would sell the old lens on ebay as not working and use that money to fund the new 18-135 STM. The old lens is uneconomical to send to Canon for repair. You might find a third party to do the repair but a new lens gets you better optics and another year of warranty for not a lot more money than a repair.

Just my opinion.

 OhioBob's gear list:OhioBob's gear list
Olympus C-750 UZ Canon EOS 7D Canon EOS 7D Mark II Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF 85mm F1.8 USM +8 more
Lemming51
Lemming51 Forum Pro • Posts: 15,278
Re: My EF-S 18-135 is behaving oddly - can it be fixed or repaired?

OhioBob wrote:

If it were me I would sell the old lens on ebay as not working and use that money to fund the new 18-135 STM. The old lens is uneconomical to send to Canon for repair. You might find a third party to do the repair but a new lens gets you better optics and another year of warranty for not a lot more money than a repair.

Just my opinion.

Agree.

If you want to DIY, my guess at the symptoms is a bad ribbon cable inside the lens.  They fold/unfold as the lens is zoomed and may have developed a short that misreports the focal length and aperture.  You may (or may not) be able to find replacement cables and do your own replacement.  A third-party repair outfit may be able to diagnose/fix it for <$200, but if it's more I'd do as OhioBob susgests and sell it as is as a "parts mule" for someone and shop for a new lens.

IMHO, YMMV

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 Lemming51's gear list:Lemming51's gear list
Canon EOS 40D Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM +5 more
OP Lars J Forum Member • Posts: 92
Re: My EF-S 18-135 is behaving oddly - can it be fixed or repaired?

Thanks for the advice, OhioBob and Lemming51, I will keep an eye out for a good deal on the 18-135 STM.

 Lars J's gear list:Lars J's gear list
Canon EOS 80D Canon EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS STM Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM Canon EF-S 24mm F2.8 STM Canon EF 50mm F1.8 STM +1 more
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