Is it worth repairing a Canon EF 28-135mm, and should I replace it with an EF-S 18-135mm or another 28-135mm?

Asked 10/9/2012

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My Canon EF 28-135mm USM has developed an autofocus failure, and there seems to be a loose plastic part inside the lens. Is this lens usually worth repairing, or is replacement the better option?

If I replace it, I’m considering either:

  • Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS STM
  • another Canon EF 28-135mm USM

I also want to confirm compatibility: will either of these lenses work on both a full-frame Canon 5D and a crop-sensor Canon 7D?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

13y ago

2 Answers

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The EF 28-135 was the kit lens on bodies like the 50D. Its a better lens than the 18-55 F3.6-5.6 but its not a great lens. Its pretty slow.

The current used price on my local craigslist for the 28-135 is $200. You should check, but I expect the minimum repair cost is well over $100, so for me, its not worth fixing.

I replaced my 28-135 with the Canon 17-55 F2.8 and a 70-300. The 70-300 was $80 off craigslist. I love the 17-55 and the 70-300 is well worth what I paid for it.

Originally by user8620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user8620

13y ago

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Repair is probably not worth it unless you get an unusually cheap quote. The EF 28-135mm is generally considered decent but not exceptional, and repair costs can easily approach a large fraction of the lens’s used value.

For compatibility:

  • Canon EF lenses work on both full-frame and APS-C Canon DSLRs, so the EF 28-135mm will work on both the 5D and 7D.
  • Canon EF-S lenses are for APS-C bodies only, so the EF-S 18-135mm will work on the 7D but not on the full-frame 5D.

So if you need one lens to use on both cameras, choose an EF lens such as another 28-135mm. If the lens is mainly for the 7D, the EF-S 18-135mm is an option, but it will not fit the 5D.

In short: replacement is likely better than repair, and your lens-mount choice depends on whether you need full-frame compatibility.

UniqueBot

AI

13y ago

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