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Same problem here man, it works fine @ 17mm but when I zoom it starts going back and forth like like crazy without finding any focus point. Have you found any solutions yet?
Posted 47 months ago.
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Yep me too, but I just end up manually focussing, seems to only happen when I cant get much contrast out of the subject, eg a white wall. Let us know if there's a fix too :) !!
Posted 47 months ago.
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I don't have this problem. It's weird that several people have experience the same symptoms. I would have the lenses checked out i guess.
Posted 47 months ago.
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Hey, has anyone of you who had the autofocus problem solved it? I'm having the same, too. The autofocus goes completely off track, it might "focus" beyond infinity, or anything. The only lens I can compare against on my 350D is the 50mm 1.4 prime, and there the autofocus has no problem at all. I've had the EF-S 17-85 now for about 3 years.
Posted 41 months ago.
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I had the same auto focus problem. I sent my lens in for repair. They changed a defect motor (they say). I have not received my lens back so I do not know if this solves the problem.
I guess it will arrive tomorrow, I will reply when I have the chance to test it.
Posted 41 months ago.
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I got my lens back today. It is working fine after changing the defect USM motor.
Posted 41 months ago.
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Anyone know the out-of-warranty cost to replace the an defected USM motor on this lens? I seem to be having the same problem as everyone else.
thanks
Posted 39 months ago.
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I have this problem too and it's well out of warranty . It's unfortunate i really like this lens for an all arounder. Would also like to know how much it is to get it fixed outside of the warranty
Posted 38 months ago.
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I ran into the same problem about a week ago, at a baseball game with 2nd row seats--bad timing. AF works ok at 17mm, but is virtually useless when zoomed out any further. I'd also be interested to know if anyone has any idea what a repair like this might cost.
Posted 37 months ago.
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no
Posted 37 months ago.
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I too just recently experienced this problem when photographing a paid event. Looks like I will be sending the lens in for repair.
Posted 37 months ago.
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I also have this same problem at the 85 mm end of the range. It just goes crazy. I've had the lens for about 2 years and taken thousands of vacation photos with no problem until a month ago. It is comforting to see that I am not the only one!
Posted 36 months ago.
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FYI for those of you who are having this problem, I brought mine into a local repair shop and, as someone previously mentioned, it needs the USM motor replaced. They want $190 to repair...I am debating whether to put the money into it, or buy a new lens.
Posted 35 months ago.
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Same problem with mine fitted to a 20D. Worked fine when new but will now only auto focus at 17mm. Any other lens setting causes 'hunting' irrespective of other camera settings.
Originally posted 34 months ago.
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Efstop edited this topic 34 months ago.
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PROBLEM SOLVED - with my lens. Cleaned all accessible optical glass using Eclipse fluid and optical tissue. Cleaned both sides of filter glass. Tested OK. Auto focus now functions correctly at all apertures.
Posted 34 months ago.
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I just posted this response in another thread. I had this exact problem.
I had mine repaired by Canon for $135. I went through Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto, CA. It took about two weeks. It has something to do with the contacts that travel along the length of the barrel being worn out toward the end.
They even fixed the lens creep, but the dealer said it would start creeping again over time.
Posted 33 months ago.
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My 17-85MM recently began experiencing the same or similar problem. The lens will simply not settle on a focus point. I cleaned the contacts, but not change. I have owned it for 2 years and used it only moderately. Given the price of the lens, a significant repair after only 2 years does not speak well of Canon quality. I own several manual focus Nikkors and they only thing they have required in 20 years is a periodic cleaning.
Based on everyone experiences, it appears to repair cost is between 100 and 150 dollars, but not including the cost of packaging an shipping.
Posted 33 months ago.
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What I paid ($135), included packaging and shipping though my dealer.
And I agree, it seems pretty shoddy of Canon considering this seems to be a common issue. Hopefully the new 15-85mm will be of better quality.
Posted 33 months ago.
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stanycjw2008 [deleted] says:
@ jcipriano
Ohhhh.... when you mentioned 15-85mm, may I know when it has been release? and what is the price of it.
Thankyou
Posted 32 months ago.
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I have the exact same problem, worked great for 2 years. Now today will only autofocus at 17mm, zoomed in the motor will just hunt until it finally locks onto the wrong focus. Quote from Canon is $95 + shipping to fix. Yes , very shoddy quality.
Posted 31 months ago.
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I have the same problem. Excellent photos for approximately 2 years and then one fine day, when I am the anointed photographer for a friend's party, the lens starts acting up. Luckily I had another lens that saved the day.
Looks like 95$ + shipping.
Yeah. Sucks.
Posted 30 months ago.
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I have the same 17-85mm lens and used it for 3.5 years on a canon rebel xt. I upgraded to a 50d and used my same 17-85 lens. I've been disappointed in the 50d's multi point auto focus when I use my 17-85. My full auto pictures are almost consistently out of focus or soft. Not tremendously, but it's noticeable, especially on group photos, even if everyone in the photo is relatively the same Depth of Field. If I switch to Program AE and pick the center AF point it focuses fairly well. The reason I switched from my Rebel XT was because I noticed my images were turning out alot less sharp. I never suspected it was my lens until now. It's been everywhere with me. The beach, the subzero temps in the CO Rockies, etc. But I've handled it delicately. Other lenses I've tried lately appear to perform better. 50mm 1.8 , 18-55mm IS. Does this sound like a lens motor , aperture hardware or glass problem or a camera body problem. Professional opinions appreciated!
Thanks!
Posted 29 months ago.
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Use the micromotor adjust on your 50D, see if the lens gets any sharper.
Posted 29 months ago.
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Same problem here in Australia, 250AUD + P&H to replace the USM. Given the amount of chat about this problem on the net, wouldn't it be nice for Canon to show some good faith and acknowledge it.
Posted 29 months ago.
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can i ask, when you zoom out to the max 85mm, even if your focussing point flashes on the subject, does it still dither back and forward? I seem to have this problem as well though only when i happen to take a photo of- for example a photo of a bare wall and it has nothing to snap or focus on other than the wall.
Posted 26 months ago.
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Count me in as having this same exact problem. What a PITA! Haven't sent it in to get fixed yet, but will post with the cost when/if I do.
Posted 25 months ago.
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Maybe it's because the f-number is higher at the zoom end, really the rebel autofocus is no good at more than f/5.6
Posted 25 months ago.
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My 17-85mm started acting up yesterday, when zooming between 50-85mm. 17mm were fine.
I shut off the camera, waited a few minutes, shut it back on, and the error message "Err01 bad connection blah blah blah".
I "restarted" the camera (EOS 7D) once more, and the problem dissapaired.
Now I hope the lens will countinue to work, as I don't think it's worth spending half the lens' value getting it fixed...
Posted 25 months ago.
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YEAH I have had my lens for about 2 years and it seems to of packed it in ERR99 is constant on my camera and can't take pics at all in AV mode ...thought it was my camera ... but now I think it is the lens as it won't focus and is stuck in macro ... if I use manual focus I can take some pics in different programs .... so I guess it is going in for repair .. as I cant afford a new one
Posted 24 months ago.
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I just took this for a real test drive after buying it used... I am happy with the images. The images Where great right off the memory card.
A little time later in Lightroom I came out with these:
Posted 24 months ago.
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Yep same issue, funny that it's the same with everyone else. Had this for 2.5 years and recently started getting the Err01, I then cleaned the lense and camera contact with methylated spirits....the erroring stopped but I'm left with the lense sporadically hunting for focus.
It doesn't happen all the time but is annoying enough to warrant a replacement lense...perhaps a 17-55 2.8
Posted 20 months ago.
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my 17-85 IS USM also developed this focusing issue a couple of weeks back. I bought this used lens about an year ago for about $250. I live in Pakistan and there is no official Canon lab here that can fix this issue. is there any diy fix for this?
so sending the lens to US or some other country and spend round $200 to get it repaired is not feasible for me.
Posted 18 months ago.
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I'm having this issue too. I've been told $110 usd and 2-6 weeks down time to fix by Canon. Hardly any use on it too. Sux.
fahad.usman -
For what its worth, I was told that it is most likely the flex cable and not the motor. I've found a few DIY tear downs by searching "EFS 17-85 Repair Manual" and it appears the cable is plug and play, no soldering. The cable is available all over ebay for +/-$10. I was thinking about picking up a couple just in case ... no clue how long Canon will support this lens. Good luck with yours.
Originally posted 18 months ago.
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ericdifate edited this topic 18 months ago.
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I just bought this lens used with the exact same problem, it was a steal and i figured i'd be able to fix it myself for little money. Turns out I was right. It is indeed the flex cables that usually fail. Ebay is your friend and if you have steady fingers and an electronics screw driver set or know a friend who has the same two items, chances are you can fix your glass very easily. Clearly this is a very common issue with this lens and Canon should acknowledge that the cables they used are of such poor quality that they should offer to fix this free even if your warranty is gone. Just saying.
Originally posted 14 months ago.
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anders emil edited this topic 14 months ago.
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There is another thread about this problem with this lens, I had it too and so do a lot of owners. Must be a design problem. You guys ever notice that companies don't do product recall on defective items that don't cause death or sickness. There should be a product recall on this.
Posted 8 months ago.
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My 17-85 failed me when on a trip to Nepal! I had to use my 55-250 to do the job while I gave my wide angle to a repair shop. I was sceptical and they charged a lot of money. But the next day the lens seemed to work fine.
Still, it hunts a bit in low light.
Posted 7 months ago.
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I bought this lens two weeks ago second hand but in perfect condition. I recently purchased a new 60D and took test shots with my other lenses and had no problem. I tested the 17-85mm from home in all lights and ranges and had no problems with quality. I was horrified when I came back last weekend from a mountain walk to find many shots where not sharp at infinity but sharp at near focus. I have never had an IS lens before, and thought maybe I should shoot landscapes without IS, but now it seems it maybe the lens then.
Posted 6 months ago.
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