Repair/Adjust/Clean Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 - Dropped and Slipping focus

I dropped my main lens, the famous Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, and broke the focus mechanism. Af wouldn't work at all, and the manual focus ring did nothing.

Repair costs are said to be very expensive, so I decided to accept the risks (as you will too if you choose to open your lens) and try it myself.

This instructable also tells you how to stop that annoying focus ring slip, as there is an adjustment inside.

Enjoy

Step 1

Unscrew the 4 main screws, then the 2 tiny ones indicated by the red arrows.

Comments

[kinetica]

Hi, my lens started showing the err 01 message and from further investigations, it seems like my IS unit is not functioning properly. All I can't seem to take photos with apertures f2.8 and above. Apparently some of the lens element is spoilt as well. If I were to remove the IS unit, would the lens still work? Any idea if I can just make this into a manual focus lens? I'm not willing to repair it at canon for 450 euros..thanks!

[coffeegeek]

Sorry to hear you're lens is borked. I really couldn't say whether it is an IS problem or not. But, if you removed the IS system, you would have a dead lens, as one of the lens elements is integral to the IS system.

All the best.

[kinetica]

I sent my lens for diagnosis at canon and they said my IS needed a replacement..not sure if I can get the replacement parts myself?

[coffeegeek]

If that link doesn't work (try cut and paste), you can search ebay for item number 220923949568

[coffeegeek]

You sure can! Try this... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220923949568?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp5197.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D220923949568%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

;)

[gnif]

Wow, thanks for this information, my brother dropped his lens and he was able to follow your steps exactly and repair it, saved him a bundle.

[coffeegeek]

Was your brother, perhaps, me?