"sticky" zoom

[Saudidave]

I just bought myself a second hand Canon 28-105 3.5-4.5 usm off e-bay for £100, which is the going price.

It arrived today and cosmetically is in fine condition with unblemished front and rear lenses - as good as new. I took a few test shots with my 350D and it is working fine - the image quality is as good I expected.

There is, however, a very (and I stress very) slight stiffness and lack of smoothness to the zoom action, particularly at the short end, when compared to a 28-80 and 75-300 which I own. When fully extended to 105 mm there is some very slight play in the extended section (more than the 75-300 for example).

Is this normal wear and is it likely to have an effect? Is there anything I can do to lubricate the action?

Thanks

Dave

[T.O.]

Dave,

it is very hard to tell without seeing the lense and I (still) have no experience with Canon Lenses, but I had similar problems with a Leica lens a few years ago, brought it to some experts and they all said that "stiffness" while zooming was "normal". In fact, the lens was zooming smoothly in most of its range, than "stiffed" and "played" at a specific range...I used it a lot ever since and never had image quality or other problems...

In any case, you maybe want to show this to someone who knows more...

good luck,
T.O.

[aam1234]

My 24-70 also has stiffness (and it's not little) when it approaches the wide end. Heard that that's normal.

[ron chappel]

A small amount of play when extended is normal for sure.
The lack of smoothness in the zoom is abit harder to guess.
Lenses more often than not have variable firmness in the zoom action,so if you mean that it is normal.
It shouldn't be very rough at all though!If it's clunky or very course than something may be wrong.

Note that earlier versions of this lens -the oldest are 14 y.o now - did have a very subtle 'scraping' sound/feel when the zoom or focus were operated.That was normal-just a consequence of the plastic parts moving against one another*.
Modern plastic lenses are allmost perfectly smooth,they've made good improvements in materials and surface finish


*as an aside,The first versions of EOS lenses were incredibly bad .The focus ring pretty much felt like it had sand it in from new!

[Saudidave]

Thanks to everyone. It's a tad sticky rather than scraping or clunky, as if 2 surfaces moving against each other are not quite viscous enough. The image quality is fine.

Thanks

Dave

[Keiffer]

I have the same lense and yes this is normal, I also have a little play when it's closed, and I do mean VERY little, but the lense works great for me. So not to worry go enjoy and take lots of pics:-)

[Medic1]

Mine is the same way....has been that way since I got it. I took it back into the dealer I purchased it from and they pulled a couple others out of the box....they were the same. Apparently its normal for this lens...