24-105mm f/4L IS flare(?)

[Lani Kai]

I have a post-recall 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (UU0404). While I love this lens, I've recently noticed some lens flare similar to that which was widely mentioned when the lens first hit the market. Here are some sample photos:
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1848/img3341qp8.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2643/img4812rw4.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6143/img4816jm2.jpg

It's undoubtedly an excellent lens... That last picture was taken at 1/2s. I was just wondering if anyone else had any issues with their post-recall 24-105 IS, or if anyone wants to slap me in the face and say this is normal.

[triumph]

I've never noticed flare like that with my 24-105, almost looks like that it is not lens related. That is definitely wrong!

[Lightstream]

That is nasty, definitely not normal, I've never seen anything like that in my shots. Perhaps you'd like to get Canon to check it out?

[Lani Kai]

Yeah, I think I will go to the Irvine Service Center tomorrow (thankfully I live 15 minutes away)

[A01]

Man that does look quite bad.

On another note, i love the look of the water drops bouncing in the fountain, very nice shot!

[Neilyb]

Spooky, I would not be happy with it.

[AlexMa]

JUst a side note..........

Irvine will let you walk in.

Do then make you leave your equipment or do they try and take a look at it right away?

Thanks!

[Lani Kai]

I guess that depends case by case. When my kit lens had a problem I had to leave it there (they called me back a few days later). For sensor cleaning I've heard they do it while you wait. Speaking of which, I might as well get that done too...

[AlexMa]

Hmmmmmmm...

Might have to take a trip down there.........

Thanks!

[Dumale]

I have a post-recall 24-105mm f/4L IS USM (UU0404). While I love this lens, I've recently noticed some lens flare similar to that which was widely mentioned when the lens first hit the market. Here are some sample photos:

It's undoubtedly an excellent lens... That last picture was taken at 1/2s. I was just wondering if anyone else had any issues with their post-recall 24-105 IS, or if anyone wants to slap me in the face and say this is normal.


This link might help.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

[fivefish]

Are you using a lens hood with those shots?

[PeaPicker]

No trouble here.
Those look like they are in almost the same spot each time?

[rklepper]

Do you have a filter on? A cheap filter will cause lens flare. Just something to think about.

[Lester Wareham]

It is very odd, I would have expected some circularity to lens flare or flare from a bad filter. I remember seeing some example posts of the "flare problem" and I am sure they did not look like that.

If this were a film camera I would say it was a light leak from the back. Another possibility might be an ageing shutter. Have you checked other lenses in similar lighting situations and exposures to eleminate the body?

[Tom W]

If you have a filter, take it off and then test. Might as well positively eliminate the filter as a potential cause.

This is a very unique flare, and it almost looks as though there is a chip in one of the lens elements, or a nicked or missing internal flocking causing an internal reflection.

If it proves to NOT be the filter, let Canon have a look at it.

PS - You will want to test another lens to make sure that this isn't a camera issue. It is possible that there is a problem with something reflective in the mirror box, or a defective mirror or shutter as well.

[Lani Kai]

I've never seen the problem on any of my other lenses, although that doesn't prove that the camera isn't at fault. Anyway, I took it to Canon today. They said they'd never seen anything like it, and they took it in to be examined under warranty (although I am not the original owner--I bought it used, but they didn't ask for a receipt or anything). They said they'd call back within a week or so.

[ShutterBugL]

This link might help.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-105mm-f-4-L-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

Check out the link suggested by Dumale. It provides the info on flares with this lens.

I recall also reading somewhere that there should be a blue sticker on the box if it is the edition which has the flare problem fixed.

[Lani Kai]

Well, it has a date code of UU0404 (meaning it was manufactured April 2006), which means as far as Canon knows, it is not affected with the abovementioned flare problem that resulted in a recall. Those lenses had date codes of UT09xx or lower.

[Lani Kai]

I finally got the 24-105 back. Well, actually, they replaced it with a new copy. I went to Canon last Friday and they told me it wasn't done yet (after nearly three weeks). Today (Monday) they called me up and told me my lens had been replaced. The time it took them between when I went to bother them before the weekend and when the lens was replaced was good turnaround; the other part of the three weeks I waited was not. In other words, why did it take them three weeks to decide to replace it?
I'm also not very pleased that they replaced my lens with one that has a date code of UT10XX, while my old one was a UU04XX.
Oh well, I got a brand new lens for free under warranty. A good deal considering I bought the lens used.

[Lester Wareham]

So is the new lens OK? Are you able to repeat your tests?

[AlexMa]

Could you post their addess?

Thanks!

What are their main cross streets?

Alex

[Lani Kai]

I haven't tested the lens yet... I'll do that tomorrow.
Canon Irvine is located on Alton Pkwy between Sand Canyon Ave. and Irvine Center Dr. The address is 15955 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92618, at the intersection of Alton and Telemetry. They are open M-F 8:00am-6:00pm.

[Lani Kai]

The lens I received from Canon looks every bit as sharp as the one that was defective. I can't replicate the strange flare that appeared in the copy that I had, but as Edsger Dijkstra once said, "testing can be used to show the presence of bugs, but never to show their absence." Hopefully everything is okay.

[Lester Wareham]

The lens I received from Canon looks every bit as sharp as the one that was defective. I can't replicate the strange flare that appeared in the copy that I had, but as Edsger Dijkstra once said, "testing can be used to show the presence of bugs, but never to show their absence." Hopefully everything is okay.

Fingers Crossed for you.
;-)