Canon Zoom Lock Switch

Hi everyone, brand new member here. I just purchased my very first DSLR; a T4i w/ 18-135 IS STM lens. It's a big step-up from my old Olympis FE-220! I've had a growing interest in photography for quite sometime now and finally decided to bite the bullet and buy a DSLR. I'm loving it so far. I do have a question though, regarding the zoom lock (I guess that's what it's called...) When I have it in the locked position, is it supposed to easily snap unlocked if I zoom the lens? If I recall correctly, it wasn't doing this before.

Thanks!

It does if you over-torque it. After a few such occasions, it wears down and then what you see happens all the time.

Appreciate the quick response. I know I haven't over-torqued it. Is it something I should worry about (exchange the kit for a new one?) or is it not that big of a deal?

Sounds like you broke it.

It isn't supposed to unsnap if you zoom the lens because YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO ZOOM THE LENS WHILE IT'S LOCKED!!! There's a small pin in there that holds the zoom ring in position...by forcing it (which it sounds like you did) you rounded/snapped the pin...warranty likely won't cover it...

What don't you understand about "lock"?

John from PA wrote in post #15420303
What don't you understand about "lock"?

What don't you understand about forum etiquette? Forum rules, roughly paraphrased: if you don't have anything constructive to say, then say nothing.

My new 18-135mm STM does this. I tried it only one time after I read somewhere that this is supposed to be a "feature". It took only a little effort to unlock it by rotating the zoom ring, but it felt weird to do and I think it's prudent to always flick the switch instead. It only takes a split second.

Per the manual for this lens: "To release the zoom ring, slide the zoom ring lock lever in the direction opposite to the arrow." (page 8)

http://gdlp01.c-wss.com …mm-f3.5-5.6-is-stm-en.pdf

Furthermore, the manual for this lens makes no reference to the switch "unlocking" when rotating the zoom ring. (unless I missed it somewhere)

Sounds like you may have broken the mechanism.

I happen to come from a era of "common sense" (as opposed to "uncommon" sense that seems prevalent today) where perhaps we better understand what "lock" means. In addition the Canon lens manual clearly states, the lock "function is convenient for carrying a camera on a strap because it prevents the lens from extending." Further it states "The zoom ring can only be locked at maximum wide angle." The OP should read the manual of this and other possible future purchases before he damages more equipment (like a lens not capable of continuous manual focusing).

I believe you should unlock it manually, before attempting to zoom. It is designed to keep the zoom from extending while you are NOT using the lens. If it unlocks when you zoom, it is broken, regardless of who is responsible for breaking it.