Is it easy to fix a Canon lens?

[Angelboy]

I have a friends Canon 24-105 L but the stabilisation is goosed. It's OK to use with it turned off and on a tripod but when it's turned on it just keeps clicking and jumping.

These lenses seem to go for the £350-£425 mark and when I've enquired as to costs for repair the price seems to be up to £300 (?!) so it's just not worth repairing really.

Has anyone fixed a lens on a DIY basis or it is skill that's best left to the pros?

 

[dizidav]

You could try these guys, I have had a couple of Canon lenses repaied by them, word done quicky and even cleaned lenses at the same time, http://1staidrepairs.co.uk/SLRLenses.aspx

 

[Angelboy]

You could try these guys, I have had a couple of Canon lenses repaied by them, word done quicky and even cleaned lenses at the same time, http://1staidrepairs.co.uk/SLRLenses.aspx

Thanks, I've sent in an estimate request form.

 

[Wozzaaah]

The problem with DIY repairs on lenses is that there are an awful lot of very small parts inside them and the IS unit is very deep inside which will mean almost fully dismantling it.
I've repaired several 17-85s with the failed ribbon cable and they're easy enough once you know where everything goes but if anything goes wrong it's just £100 or so to replace it.
Not sure I'd attempt that sort of DIY repair on an L series lens unless it was one I'd bought very cheaply, especially as there's no guarantee it is the IS unit at fault.

 

[GeeJay57]

I'd be unlikely to try and repair it myself as I'd be worried about putting it all back together again without having a load of bits left over.

However, if you're really keen to have a go, here's a video that might be of interest.

View: http://youtu.be/mRUTrNoDD1M

Also found this guide, which might be useful.
http://www.cunningham.me.uk/2015/05/14/canon-24-105-f4-l-is-usm-lens-repair/

 

[Angelboy]

Thanks for that - I'll have a watch of it later.

 

[digital]

I had the same/similar fault on my 24-105 last year. Canon fixed and cleaned it, checked out and cleaned my 5D3, and matched the two in terms of focussing for ~£250.

 

[Wozzaaah]

Having watched that video I'm not even remotely tempted to buy a "spares or repairs" one.
One thing that video doesn't tell you is that there is quite a complex element alignment process required after reassembly.
it's not outside of the realms of a competent diyer but it's quite fiddly.