300mm F/4 IS - Noisy USM???

[CanonSLR]

Hi,


I just got a Canon 300mm f/4 IS today. Since it is dark out, I couldn't do any shots outside. I mounted it on my 10D just to see what I could do indoors. The longest distance I was able to focus on was about 30 feet, and the shortest about 5 feet. The focusing seems pretty fast, however, it is quite a bit noisier than my other lenses with USM. (I turned off the IS, as well, to narrow down the noise to just the focusing.) My other USM lenses, 70-200 f/2.8 IS; 24-70; 17-40; 85 1.8; and 28-135 all are quieter on the focusing. The 70-200 focusing noise is louder than my smaller zooms, so I'm wondering if the larger the lens, the noisier the USM since the 300mm is even noisier than the 70-200. Does that make sense?

Is this normal for this 300mm prime? When the focusing is moving from one focsing distance to another, the noise is quite noticable, with a clicking when it reaches it focusing point. The IS is even noisier on this lens than on my 70-200 2.8 IS.

If anyone can help me, I would appreciate it. I purchased from B&H and can return if the consensus is that this is not normal.

Thanks very much,

Bob

[jekolar]

Did you ever figure out what was wrong with your noisy 300mm f/4 IS lens?


I have a new one from B&H as well. I was a bit frustrated that they sent the Japan make when I ordered the USA make, and I also noticed the noise being excessive both in the Autofocus (with the IS off) and a similar noise of equal volume in the IS (when the MF is engaged).

I was wondering if it wasn't a loose element, but the optics seem to be great.

I've also been told that it can be a "loose clutch" on the USM drive.

Whatever it was, I'm sending the lens back and hoping for better results in round two; it sure is a beautiful lens.

Please let me know if you ever found anything out.

[Jon]

The US and International/Grey market have nothing to do with where the lens was made. They refer to whether the lens was sold through Canon USA, and so will be warranteed by them. If the warranty card with your lens says it's for the US and Canada, you got the US version.

[sma65]

I bought this lens from B&H as well when I was last over there, mine is exactly the same ,noise wise, but I can suffer the noise for the results it gives. It achieves focus a lot quicker than my 100 - 400is and even my 11 year old son can tell the difference in sharpness. I think in all it is just a noisy lens.

[darren h]

Hi, i just purchased a EF300F4L lens to & i have noticed a clunking noise when its hunting, it certainly seems to be louder than my other lens, is this normal?

[wiselion]

Mine makes noise as well on IS. All 300f/4 IS lenses do from what I hear.

[gasrocks]

Mine does make little noises as well. I'm used to it and actually like the sound it makes when turning off IS (that way I know it was working.) Great lens!!

[darren h]

is makes a clunking noise when the IS is turned off too ???????

[wiselion]

Hmmm!! I think mine does to, but it really is not to loud. It is normal for this lens though. One thing for certain, it takes great pictures. You will love it.

[Spatch]

To be honest I have not found mine obtrusively loud and I do not think it makes any noise when the IS is turned off. I will double check when I get home.

[Spatch]

OK, have tried mine out. Firstly, it does not make any noise with the IS switched off. It sounds just like any other non-IS USM lens. With the IS on and when focusing I get a whiring (sp?) sound and if I move the camera around you can here a slight knocking - I guess as it tries to stabilise the picture. Having said this, with the IS on and holding the lens normally - i.e as still as possible - I only get the whiring noise.

Hope this helps

[darren h]

OK, have tried mine out. Firstly, it does not make any noise with the IS switched off. It sounds just like any other non-IS USM lens. With the IS on and when focusing I get a whiring (sp?) sound and if I move the camera around you can here a slight knocking - I guess as it tries to stabilise the picture. Having said this, with the IS on and holding the lens normally - i.e as still as possible - I only get the whiring noise.

Hope this helps
thanks for that Spatch. i do think my lens must have a problem.its hppens when autofocusing (with IS off) if i'm focusing on something quite close i.e 3metres then go to focus on something at a further distance i.e infinity, there is a clunking noise just before the object is in focus. think i'll have to take it back

[Jack W.]

I have the 300f/4 IS. It's normal for this lens to make a bit of a clunking noise when the IS kicks in.
Jack

[SeanH]

STOP IT........it's normal. I tried 4 or 5 of them .......THEY ALL DO IT!! And isn't this the 2nd post about this in about 3 days?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=88950

[darren h]

STOP IT........it's normal. I tried 4 or 5 of them .......THEY ALL DO IT!! And isn't this the 2nd post about this in about 3 days?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=88950

Hi thanks for the replys but my lens does it with the IS turned OFF

[SeanH]

So what part of my post did you not understand.....LOL :wink:
.....it's not the IS