70-200mm f2.8 IS II Image shift when IS engages?

Hi all,

This quesiton is for owners of the 70-200mm 2.8 IS II. I recently noticed something a little different than I have experienced in the past. I noticed that when you look through the viewfinder, press the shutter button half way to focus the image "shifts" a little when the IS engages. Is that normal? It only happens right when it starts and then it proceeds to stabilize like normal.

Just wanted to see if this is something I should be concerned about.

Thanks in advance.

Yes, the IS has to 'spool up' and it takes a second or two before it is ready to go.

I never knew this and ill have to look out for it.

Thanks Invertalon,

I just thought it was weird that the viewfinder kind of jumps on start-up. Glad to know it's normal.

Mine does what you describe, which I have assumed to be normal behavior. The one thing that mine does that I'm not sure about is: it makes some weird rubbing sounds when spooling up/down when I'm being physically spastic with the lens (meaning, when I'm lowering and raising the lens while the IS motor is in various states of starting/stopping). When I hold the thing level, no weird rubbing sounds...

Very curious what others think of this...

Dave

Yes it does. Also, if the object you are trying to focus doesn't have a clear contrast with the background it will shift quite a bit. I believe this is call lens hunting.

lostinwv wrote in post #15243290
Mine does what you describe, which I have assumed to be normal behavior. The one thing that mine does that I'm not sure about is: it makes some weird rubbing sounds when spooling up/down when I'm being physically spastic with the lens (meaning, when I'm lowering and raising the lens while the IS motor is in various states of starting/stopping). When I hold the thing level, no weird rubbing sounds...

Very curious what others think of this...

Dave

Perfectly normal; it's the IS system having to work harder to try and keep up when you're moving the lens around.

It happens on all my IS lenses. It is a normal function, nothing to be worried about.

happens to my 70-200 also, I thought something was wrong since alot of people said their IS was completely silent while mine was clearly audible. I even sent it to Canon and it checked out fine. It wasn't until I tested a couple of copies at my local shop that I was confident the IS noise was normal.

Sounds like what happens with my 17-55 2.8. I just got it, and can see the image really move sometimes. If you're moving a bit while looking through the viewfinder, it can actually get a little dizzying!

I guess on the good side, you KNOW the IS is working!