Canon 100-400 IS not working?

Tried to read every thread on this subject but is there anyway to see if the IS is working? I just picked up a 100-400 refurb from canon's lens sale and after playing around with the lens, I see no difference in images taken with or without the IS on. I cannot hear it working either. I can hear it working on my 24-105 but nothing on this 100-400.

Anyone hear about any issues with the IS not turning on?

It is possible that images taken without IS will still be sharp if you have high enough shutter speed.

One good way to see if IS is working is to zoom to 400mm and then try using Liveview at 10x magnification while handholding. The image on the LCD screen will be jumping all over the place and when the IS engages, you should see a big improvement.

You should be able to hear the IS working when you hold your ear to the lens and half depress the shutter button. You should hear a slight clunk and the whirring of the stabilizer as you depress the shutter button 1/2 way. The whirrring should stop a few seconds after you release the shutter button. If you do not hear anything and you have the Stabilizer switch in the "ON" position then you have an issue.

agv8or wrote in post #15118087
You should be able to hear the IS working when you hold your ear to the lens and half depress the shutter button. You should hear a slight clunk and the whirring of the stabilizer as you depress the shutter button 1/2 way. The whirrring should stop a few seconds after you release the shutter button. If you do not hear anything and you have the Stabilizer switch in the "ON" position then you have an issue.

I agree, you should be able to hear it half pressing the shutter

Not hearing anything and image doesn't jump when magnified. Talked to canon and its going back.

cory1848 wrote in post #15118601
Not hearing anything and image doesn't jump when magnified. Talked to canon and its going back.

If the image isn't jumping around when magnified, it means the IS is working.

Try it again when magnified, and then turn the IS on, and then off, and then on again. (while hand holding) That is when you should really see a difference.

Here is a non scientific test that works for me. Hand hold the camera and lens. Zoom out to 400mm. Take a couple of pictures of a calender hanging in the next room. Look for the small print in the date box (such as Columbus Day). Try this with the IS on and with the IS off. If the IS is working the difference should be immediately evident. If you don't have a calender try reading the instructions on the back of an aerosol can.

Good Luck
Mike

msowsun wrote in post #15118616
If the image isn't jumping around when magnified, it means the IS is working.

Try it again when magnified, and then turn the IS on, and then off, and then on again. (while hand holding) That is when you should really see a difference.

Tried that. There is zero difference with the switch on or off. When you say "image jumping around" I presume that is caused by camera shake? If that is the case, it is still jumping around. I tried that test with my 24-105 and it behaves as it should. Can clearly see a difference with the IS on and off with the 24-105. Not seeing that in the 100-400.

So far I have bought a 5D2 and a 100-400 refurbished from Canon. Both have had issues and have gone back. Beginning to wonder is Canon actually checks their products before turning around and reselling them.

MikeWa wrote in post #15118848
Here is a non scientific test that works for me. Hand hold the camera and lens. Zoom out to 400mm. Take a couple of pictures of a calender hanging in the next room. Look for the small print in the date box (such as Columbus Day). Try this with the IS on and with the IS off. If the IS is working the difference should be immediately evident. If you don't have a calender try reading the instructions on the back of an aerosol can.

Good Luck
Mike

Tried that too. This is why I really started questioning if it was really working.

cory1848 wrote in post #15119891
Tried that too. This is why I really started questioning if it was really working.

If there was no difference the IS was not working. I take it you tried cleaning the contacts?

Mike

MikeWa wrote in post #15122340
If there was no difference the IS was not working. I take it you tried cleaning the contacts?

Mike

All the contacts looks brand new. No visible wear or dirt.

It's pretty straight foreword. I just shoot the small print on a calendar at maybe 20 feet away at about 1/20 up to 1/100 second 400mm handheld as still as possible. The difference with IS on or off is pretty dramatic. Since you are not seeing any difference you probably made the right move sending the lens into Canon.

Mike

MikeWa wrote in post #15122797
It's pretty straight foreword. I just shoot the small print on a calendar at maybe 20 feet away at about 1/20 up to 1/100 second 400mm handheld as still as possible. The difference with IS on or off is pretty dramatic. Since you are not seeing any difference you probably made the right move sending the lens into Canon.

Mike

I wasn't really sure what to look for until I tested it with my 24-105 and yes, it is pretty dramatic. Surprising actually. Not seeing that behavior on this 100-400. It is disappointing too as this lens was pretty good optically. Toyed with the idea of just getting it repaired but to play it safe, I want an exchange. Might be waiting awhile though as they are no refurbs in stock. Really needed that lens this weekend though.

With all my IS lenses the image through the viewfinder will suddenly move, rather than smoothly change when I move. The lens is smoothing out the movement until a certain point before it "resets" itself. This behavior should be clearly visible when the camera/lens is "waved about".

Ok, IS confirmed not working. Just got my replacement lens today and this I can hear working. I can see it in the VF as well. Date code UZ, last one was UA so a year older.

Initial test shows fairly sharp wide open at 400. Need to so a quality test tonight on sharpness.