Canon EFS 18-55 mm lens not functioning properly

[nried001]

Hello!

I have a Canon Rebel XS camera with a EFS 18-55 mm lens on it which has worked great up until recently.  

A few days ago whenever I would try taking a picture with this lens the Error 01 message would come up saying that the connection between the camera and lens was faulty and I needed to clean the contacts.  I tried cleaning them with rubbing alchol and a q-tip but it didn't help.  Now either the error message comes up whenever I try taking a picture or it succefully takes a picture, but it comes out as completly black (I am taking a picture of something well lit).

Yesterday I noticed that there appears to be a scratch or something in the lens that could be causing the problem (please see attached picture).  My buddy said that he thought it looks like a Iris Tine that isn't retracting and is causing problems.

I was wondering if there was a way that I could fix this myself, or would I be better to send it into a shop to get it fixed?  What suggestions do you all have for resolving this problem?

Thank you so much for your help and please continue to stay safe and healthy! 🙂

Nick R.

[kvbarkley]

If this was original with the XS, it is not worth fixing.

[jrhoffman75]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

If this was original with the XS, it is not worth fixing.

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Agree. You can get one at Amazon for ~$110. 

[RobertTheFat]

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@jrhoffman75 wrote:

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@kvbarkley wrote:

If this was original with the XS, it is not worth fixing.

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Agree. You can get one at Amazon for ~$110. 

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I think I agree with Nick's buddy; the problem is in the lens, not the camera.

[Waddizzle]

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@kvbarkley wrote:

If this was original with the XS, it is not worth fixing.

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If it was the original, then you may want to replace it with the updated STM version of the lens.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/ef-s-18-55mm-f-4-56-is-stm-standard-zoom-lens 

[jrhoffman75]

~$110 at Amazon

[kvbarkley]

As is my wont for post like this, I checked the Canon Refurbished store. They don't even bother to list it.

[ebiggs1]

"I tried cleaning them with rubbing alchol and a q-tip but it didn't help."

As you have found out, this almost never to never works or helps.  It's just a feel good I did something effort.  Your lens is broken and is not worth fixing. Bottom line.  Cut your loses and buy a new lens.

This just might be the golden opportunity to buy a real much better upgrade to that original kit lens.  Look at the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  In every conceivable way it is head and shoulders a better lens. Plus it is a lens that will advance to your next Rebel camera upgrade.  You know the best is usually the cheapest in the long run.

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"I tried cleaning them with rubbing alchol and a q-tip but it didn't help."

As you have found out, this almost never to never works or helps.  It's just a feel good I did something effort.  Your lens is broken and is not worth fixing. Bottom line.  Cut your loses and buy a new lens.

This just might be the golden opportunity to buy a real much better upgrade to that original kit lens.  Look at the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens.  In every conceivable way it is head and shoulders a better lens. Plus it is a lens that will advance to your next Rebel camera upgrade.  You know the best is usually the cheapest in the long run.

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I have never used it, but the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM seems like a less expensive option.

Another interesting lens it the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM Contemporary.  It can use the Sigma dock for focus tuning and firmware updates.

[ebiggs1]

"...the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM seems like a less expensive option."

I never even touched one so I can not personally recommend it. I have had the opportunity to play with the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens.  It is, IMHO, the sharpest lens in this category currently available. That lens alone is a reason to buy a new 90D, again, IMHO.