Lens creep advice

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fatboybrando - 28 Jul 2006 20:09 GMT

Hi folks

I bought a second hand canon 35-135 IS lens which developed zoom creep.
I sent it back and it was returned after a service, however, I've now
noticed it is quite tight and a bit slower to respond when auto
focusing. Is this normal after the service and will it naturally
slacken a tad?

If not, what is my next plan of action with the company?

Thanks
Sean

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Charles Schuler - 29 Jul 2006 21:52 GMT

> Hi folks
>
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> If not, what is my next plan of action with the company?

OK, let's take a hard look at this. Lens creep is due to gravity and a lack
of friction. Canon (as of now) can't mess with gravity so they obviously
added friction (perhaps they tightened a screw here and there).

So, with more friction, it takes more time for the lens to get where it has
to go. Yes, it will likely loosen up a bit after some use.

What you see is all very normal but only you can decide if it is acceptable
to you.

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fatboybrando - 29 Jul 2006 23:28 GMT

>>Hi folks
>>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> What you see is all very normal but only you can decide if it is acceptable
> to you.

Thanks Charles...it's unacceptable to me so it's going back.

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Isaiah Beard - 04 Aug 2006 13:53 GMT

>> So, with more friction, it takes more time for the lens to get where
>> it has to go. Yes, it will likely loosen up a bit after some use.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>>
> Thanks Charles...it's unacceptable to me so it's going back.

Bear in mind that you have to choose which is less unacceptable to you:
the lens creep, or the increased friction.

The only other alternative would be to sell the lens and look for
different glass, of the two-touch variety.

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Bigguy - 30 Jul 2006 14:00 GMT

Canon may have used thicker grease to stop the creep...

Guy

> Hi folks
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks
> Sean

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Mark² - 31 Jul 2006 05:59 GMT

> Canon may have used thicker grease to stop the creep...

If I ever run into a lens creep, I just tell him to get lost, or kill-file
him...

> Guy
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>> Thanks
>> Sean

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cjcampbell - 31 Jul 2006 06:14 GMT

> > Canon may have used thicker grease to stop the creep...
>
> If I ever run into a lens creep, I just tell him to get lost, or kill-file
> him...
> :)

Now starts the lens creep jokes. There must be a ton of material in
photographers bragging about the size of their lenses, or whatever.

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donharper@theedgephotography.com - 01 Aug 2006 04:26 GMT

Hi Sean;

I would expect the lens to be tighter to prevent the lens creep.
However, it shouldn't be so tight that it slows autofocus. In fact
autofocus should be a different function in the lens. I would contact
the repair depot and ask about having it reserviced.
Sometimes they don't do as good a job as they should. You just need to
hold them to a higher standard.
I would also ask them for a return shipping label since they didn't
correctly repair the item the first time.

Do not expect things to get better, it should work right now.

Hope this helps.

Don Harper
The Edge Photography Studio
Leesburg, Va.

> Hi folks
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> Thanks
> Sean

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Sheldon - 02 Aug 2006 04:15 GMT

> Hi Sean;
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Do not expect things to get better, it should work right now.

I agree with you that it should work correctly "now," but I'm not sure I can
agree with the idea that it won't get better. I have an older Nikon
push-pull zoom that worked perfectly when I got it, but now the lens zooms
all the way one way when tipped down, and all the way the the other way when
tipped up. Still works perfectly image wise, but they do loosen up over
time.

I am confused that both the zoom and focus are tight. Maybe the tech just
tightened everything up when it was in, or they are connected somehow.

I was also told that many Nikon AF lenses rattle when you shake them as
Nikon doesn't use any lube in the focus mechanism which is fairly loose to
speed it up. I think all my AF lenses rattle when you shake them, but all
work perfectly.

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