New or repair?

["Matthew"]

Hi all, So last week(backpacking at a really nice location - gerr)My walk-around lens died. That lens is the canon 17-85 f/4-5.6 IS. I got the lens used and have taken a LOT of shots with it. Well low and behold last week it started error 01 ing on me. That means that it's is MF only and can only be shot wide open, stop it down and the camera locks up. so I took it to local camera shop and they said to send it to canon. They also estimated the repair to be about $150-200.

Ok so I have not been real impressed with the sharpness of the 17-85.

So here's the question. Do I get the lens fixed. Or do I buy the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 ($500) which supposedly matches the sharpness of some primes? I would love the tamron, how ever my buget is limited(I'm 14 and mow lawns for my photography money)And I'm not sure it will be worth it.

Ok enough of me babling, what do you guys think?

Thanx

[jdepould]

If the repair is $150, it's probably worth it. That's about half the used price (Amazon), much more than that and I'd start to seriously consider replacing.

["Matthew"]

Ok thanks, I think im going to get a new lens. However next question. Should I get the VC version or not?

VC MTF charts

NON - VC MTF charts.

Side by side comp.

I will be shooting at 2.8 a lot of the time. and as you can see the corner performance at 2.8 and 50mm is HORRID.

What do you guys think, My current lens(17-85 f/4-5.6) has IS and I use it a lot. Will the 2.8 be enough or should I sacrifice the significant improvement in sharpness for the VC?