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Archive 2022 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Milezero00
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Hello All,

I am looking for feedback regarding resale value of a Canon 200mm f1.8 lens on which the autofocus is not functioning correctly. I have reached out to MidWest, Mid Atlantic and Glazers in Seattle. None of these three is able to perform repair work due to the absence of replacement parts. I purchased this lens here on Buy and Sell several years ago and it has been sitting in its case and last used several years ago. When last used the lens it was fully functioning.

Assuming I cannot get this lens repaired is there any resale value? I guess the easiest answer is: post it on Buy and Sell and see what happens.... The question is: what is a reasonable asking price? The lens can still be used - manual focus only.

Would appreciate feedback and if anyone is interested in purchasing please PM. Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you.

Nov 22, 2022 at 09:50 AM

BrianP
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

That's a real shame. If your lens is in good shape, perhaps you can find one that is a donor that has a working autofocus and perhaps someone would make the swap. If not, I would put it on eBay. People get a surprising amount of money for lenses like this.

Nov 22, 2022 at 09:59 AM

tcphoto
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

I think that KEH in Atlanta is still around, I'd check with them about servicing it. If not, perhaps someone in LA could suggest a possible service provider. I'd hate to see a brilliant lens go unused.

Nov 22, 2022 at 10:04 AM

Cinstance
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

If it can manually focus, the motor itself is probably still ok. The lens uses "focus by wire", so even manual focus is done through the motor.

If you can find someone that can fix the electronics that controls the motor, it could still be saved. It might just be as simple as replacing a relay, or just a capacitor.

Nov 22, 2022 at 10:12 AM

Milezero00
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Thanks for taking time to respond to my post. Yes, I have considered ebay. Still keeping fingers crossed that I can identify a way to get this lens repaired and fully functioning again.

Nov 22, 2022 at 10:18 AM

Milezero00
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

I have emailed KEH. Thank you!

Nov 22, 2022 at 10:19 AM

BrianP
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Out of curiosity, have you tried the lens on different bodies? If you are using it on a mirrorless camera, have you tried multiple converters? I agree with the comment above that the lens uses focus by wire, so the motor itself must be good. Have you played with the AF switch and gone back and forth with it a few times?

You made me get out my 200 f/1.8L and try it. It has been about 8 months since I have used it. Luckily, mine is working.

Nov 22, 2022 at 10:38 AM

Milezero00
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Reply to Brian P:

Yes, and I took the lens to Glazers here in Seattle and they could not get the autofocus to function.

Nov 22, 2022 at 10:40 AM

jwolfe
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

If you do some googling there is a company in the UK that specializes in old Canon lenses with dead AF. I can't remember the name. Worth a try. If it was me I'd probably junk it on ebay and buy a replacement. Any repair is going to be extremely expensive considering how specialized it will be.

Nov 22, 2022 at 11:16 AM

Pete73
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

You could try Midstate Camera Repair in Rhode Island (401) 467-7390. Likely the same replacement parts issue but it couldn't hurt to ask. Or sell it to me for a song and I'll take a shot with them

Nov 22, 2022 at 12:28 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Only you can determine what is a reasonable price. What price would you find satisfactory to you?

There are a number for sale on eBay, varying greatly in price and condition. If you wish to buy another copy before or after selling yours, this one looks okay. You can find ones in very good condition from reputable eBay sellers in Japan if you want to spend more. Good luck.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/295205418138?hash=item44bb9d349a:g:SHkAAOSw1AZidT7P&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoBCwDAtcG1h74dSy4zvbUhAUc01Gv%2BDdHyfHz6bV4b%2FYkkGP9j%2F7PKB1h5EAI2rtwkzWxc0Eis7G79sr6qN0mUOp8IwDGPDHUq9misJPL8NI2n2CL7UWo9l3yZ9euYXiN6v%2Fy3AF2x6Z5G%2Bq65jHXOA%2FkXqtY5TcPl95mO22oNYR%2BZMDZBq4vYMasetciuxXMurN0dEwNyAy3yVuJGQn%2BkI%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5rspYqUYQ

Nov 22, 2022 at 12:52 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

There's a thread on the Reddit Canon forum from 5 years ago with someone asking advice for repairing one of these lenses. They followed up that they sent it to Midwest Camera Repair: http://www.midwestcamera.com/canon.html. However no further follow up whether the lens was successfully repaired.

I'm not sure if this is the same place, but there was discussion here in another thread that one of these independent places stopped taking these lenses repairs due to extreme backlog and lack of parts. In any case, their website doesn't state this so would still be worth a shot contacting them.

Also some other options discussed in this very old June 2005 thread: https://www.sportsshooter.com/message_display.html?tid=16269

Also found this suggestion in another forum:

"Also, check to be sure the "Focus Preset" slider isn't pushed towards the direction of the camera body. If it is and the knurled reading ring just behind the rubber focus ring is stuck anywhere but centered (either right or left will lock focus), the lens will lock in the focus distance it is set to when the camera is powered on."

Good luck!

Nov 22, 2022 at 02:28 PM

JRobertson
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Midwest Camera in Michigan may be able to help. They have a stockpile of parts dating back for a bit. I'd reach out to them.

Nov 22, 2022 at 03:08 PM

BrianP
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

Imagemaster wrote:
There are a number for sale on eBay, varying greatly in price and condition. If you wish to buy another copy before or after selling yours, this one looks okay. You can find ones in very good condition from reputable eBay sellers in Japan if you want to spend more. Good luck.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/295205418138?hash=item44bb9d349a:g:SHkAAOSw1AZidT7P&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoBCwDAtcG1h74dSy4zvbUhAUc01Gv%2BDdHyfHz6bV4b%2FYkkGP9j%2F7PKB1h5EAI2rtwkzWxc0Eis7G79sr6qN0mUOp8IwDGPDHUq9misJPL8NI2n2CL7UWo9l3yZ9euYXiN6v%2Fy3AF2x6Z5G%2Bq65jHXOA%2FkXqtY5TcPl95mO22oNYR%2BZMDZBq4vYMasetciuxXMurN0dEwNyAy3yVuJGQn%2BkI%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5rspYqUYQ

I thought this was seemed cheap. I then read that optics were 7+ our of 10. There is a comment "-Fog on the inside of the rear element". You wouldn't want fog on any element, but I believe the rear element is the worst of the group to have this on.

Nov 22, 2022 at 03:10 PM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

BrianP wrote:
I thought this was seemed cheap. I then read that optics were 7+ our of 10. There is a comment "-Fog on the inside of the rear element". You wouldn't want fog on any element, but I believe the rear element is the worst of the group to have this on.

Yes, one never knows how realistic someone's 7+ rating really is. I also have no idea what the fog would be, how it got there, or if it can be easily removed. No idea either if that would be just a maintenance cleaning or need to replace an element.

Not a gamble I would take.

Nov 22, 2022 at 03:23 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Canon 200mm f1.8 no autofocus - resale value or expensive paperweight?

In a discussion I came across during my search earlier today, one of the thread participants mentioned he had a 200/1.8 with condensed lubricants on internal elements that was resolved with a CLA. Could be this, or it could be fungus, etc. I agree you won't know until you possess it...

Nov 22, 2022 at 07:46 PM


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