55-250mm IS - Image Stabilizer not working

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.

DM661 wrote:

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.

I have test shots from my T7i with 55-250mm STM lens at 250mm (400mm equiv), hand held, and they are sharp out to the edges.

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.

scrup wrote:

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.

Yeah it's a bummer because I love this lens, even no STM, makes great images.  I'm selling my T5i and upgrading to an A7III here soon so I'll probably just throw it in with the rest at low/no cost.  Thanks!

seri_art wrote:

DM661 wrote:

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.

I have test shots from my T7i with 55-250mm STM lens at 250mm (400mm equiv), hand held, and they are sharp out to the edges.

Yes I have many shots at 250mm as well that are perfectly fine to the edges.  I'm describing a NEW problem with my lens here.

No evidence of malfunction , yet, IMHO.

Find a very small dot target like the wall clock face center and try to aim on it and focus, with IS switched on and then off. No shooting, just halfpress and hold on. If you don’t see the difference when aiming , IS is not working. If you see the “sticky” effect when IS is on, it works.

guinness2 wrote:

No evidence of malfunction , yet, IMHO.

Find a very small dot target like the wall clock face center and try to aim on it and focus, with IS switched on and then off. No shooting, just halfpress and hold on. If you don’t see the difference when aiming , IS is not working. If you see the “sticky” effect when IS is on, it works.

Yes, that's exactly what's happening.  Thanks.