70-200 f/4L "tick" when zooming

[sneakydave]

I just recently purchased the 70-200 f/4L lens and I love it. However, when zooming, it makes a slight "tick/grinding" noise. I was expecting it to be near silent. Before taking it to the store, I thought I'd ask on here to see if this is a normal sound. If it's abnormal, I want to get it fixed while it's still under warranty.
Thanks!

[LightRules]

The zooming action isn't silent but there shouldn't be any ticks or clicks. You will, of course, hear a noise as you hit 70mm or 200mm zooming, but otherwise, it should be relatively smooth and non-interrupted.

[coorz]

I remember mines also had the same light 'clunk' sound when on focus and faint grinding sound. No problem whatsoever and i took it for normal.

[SYS]

Sounds like the IS in action. Sure it was happening when zooming and not shutter pressing?

[sneakydave]

I have the non IS version. It makes the noise when zooming. I'm imagining a ball bearing making the noise (if is has something like that), but I just wanted to make sure it's normal to be making the noise. Thanks for all of the help!

[Heatseeker99]

This doesn't sound right to me, I'd surely get it looked at. I have the 4 IS version and had the 2.8 IS version and neither made any clicking noise.

[TMR Design]

I agree with Heatseeker99. I have the f/4 non-IS and I was just out shooting a few hours with it and thre is no noise of any kind other than the very quiet AF. I would have it looked at.

[coorz]

Wait i take that back; didn't read your post properly. Mines made no noise whatsoever when zooming, it did make those sounds when AF'ing.

[sneakydave]

Thanks guys for all of your help! I'll have it looked at.

[fs454]

I know what you mean!

When I was buying my 70-200mm f/4L last week, the first copy they brought out had the problem you describe. I didn't notice, but my dad did.

We asked for another one, and it didn't have this problem. Strange that Canon's L lenses have problems like this.

Oh well, just be careful when buying, as this is an amazing lens as long as you don't get the rare bad copy.

[Master-9]

I never heard any of those sounds

[fWord]

The 24-105mm I'm currently using demonstrated a 'click' during focusing and it always occured at the same point. It was repaired by Canon and the problem recurred, but at another location. This time I had it repaired again and it's been fine ever since. I was told it's a problem with some of the parts occasionally coming loose, resulting in the sound. I suspect the same is for noise that occurs during zooming.

It should be an easy problem to fix. Ideally, such a problem shouldn't even exist on a new lens. After all, we're paying L prices and we should be able to expect a high level of quality. But such is the consequence of mass-production. Some bad copies do get out, and then land up in the hands of unfortunate people, who eventually have to deal with it themselves. Not a big problem though...certainly not any worse than a lens element coming loose. :lol: