16-35mm focus ring problem

I'm having problem using the focus ring on this lens, it is not running freely from 28cm to infinity (and beyond) like other lenses do.

It is only moving slightly from e.g. 50cm to approx slightly less than half centimetre to the left in terms of ring distance, though it is focusing on different subjects with different distances with that being registered on the focus ring

Is that a problem?

So the focus ring is jammed ? It turns maybe 4-5mm each way ?

I had the same issue with mine a few weeks back, and fixed it pretty quickly

Simple fix - grab a small (000) sized screwdriver, peel the rubber ring off the focus dial carefully - somewhere around the lens will be hole, and a screw has backed out of the lens body far enough to jam in the hole - put the screw back in the hole properly (you may need to take it right out, line it up and screw it in again) and then replace the rubber.

I will take some pics of what I mean when I get a chance (hopefully tommorow) (will have to find my broken 16-35, or remember when I get to work)

For now - here is an example showing a 70-200 - you can see the screw quite clearly, they don't back out of the 70-200 body far enough to jam the focus ring like they do on the 16-35, but it shows how to access them anyway.

Echo63 wrote in post #16400758
So the focus ring is jammed ? It turns maybe 4-5mm each way ?

Simple fix - grab a small (000) sized screwdriver, peel the rubber ring off the focus dial carefully - somewhere around the lens will be hole, and a screw has backed out of the lens body far enough to jam in the hole - put the screw back in the hole properly (you may need to take it right out, line it up and screw it in again) and then replace the rubber.

I will take some pics of what I mean when I get a chance (hopefully tommorow)

Oooh, its under warranty, I will get it fixed by a repair person

RichSoansPhotos wrote in post #16400769
Oooh, its under warranty, I will get it fixed by a repair person

Probably a good idea, especially If its still under warranty.

It's a really easy fix though (if you can't live without the lens for 2-6weeks while it's away with Canon, and if it's the same problem mine had)

Echo63 wrote in post #16400834
Probably a good idea, especially If its still under warranty.

It's a really easy fix though (if you can't live without the lens for 2-6weeks while it's away with Canon, and if it's the same problem mine had)

I'm sure I can go to the official repair centres that is near me, but I will phone up first. Thanks

Echo63 wrote in post #16400758
So the focus ring is jammed ? It turns maybe 4-5mm each way ?

I had the same issue with mine a few weeks back, and fixed it pretty quickly

Simple fix - grab a small (000) sized screwdriver, peel the rubber ring off the focus dial carefully - somewhere around the lens will be hole, and a screw has backed out of the lens body far enough to jam in the hole - put the screw back in the hole properly (you may need to take it right out, line it up and screw it in again) and then replace the rubber.

I will take some pics of what I mean when I get a chance (hopefully tommorow) (will have to find my broken 16-35, or remember when I get to work)

For now - here is an example showing a 70-200 - you can see the screw quite clearly, they don't back out of the 70-200 body far enough to jam the focus ring like they do on the 16-35, but it shows how to access them anyway.

While your in there, tighten the rest of the screws too - once the focus ring is unjammed you should be able to turn it around freely, and see a few other screws to tighten.

Of course I take no responsibility if you damage your lens, camera, screwdriver or injure yourself.
If you aren't confident with your ability - send the lens to Canon

I know what you mean, but even it were that simple, I've even repaired one of my flash guns, I think I will pass on bodies and lenses, my fingerprint will be on the lens assembly I fear, causing more problems

RichSoansPhotos wrote in post #16400840
I'm sure I can go to the official repair centres that is near me, but I will phone up first. Thanks

Closest repair centre to me is 4000km away - takes forever getting repairs done (mostly due to shipping times)

It was much simpler when the repair centre was less than a Kilometre from the office.

RichSoansPhotos wrote in post #16400845
I know what you mean, but even it were that simple, I've even repaired one of my flash guns, I think I will pass on bodies and lenses, my fingerprint will be on the lens assembly I fear, causing more problems

Argh ! I don't touch my flashguns - if they don't work, they go straight in the post to canon.
I have been zapped a few times by little flashes in P+S cameras, I don't want that to happen with a big speedlight capacitor.

I wouldn't go fiddling around inside a lens or body either, but tightening lens mounts, replacing hotshoes (on the camera body and on PW Control TL units) cleaning the Sensor, tightening loose screws on lenses (like the ones shown above) is so easy it's not funny - and saves the long wait for It to be returned from Canon.

But as I said earlier - if your not confident, or your gear is still under warranty - get Canon, or an Authorised repair center to look at it.

Echo63 - I had this issue with my 16-35 for years and never dealt with it since the autofocus worked fine. Sure enough, the screw had backed out. Thanks!

90c4 wrote in post #16401030
Echo63 - I had this issue with my 16-35 for years and never dealt with it since the autofocus worked fine. Sure enough, the screw had backed out. Thanks!

No worries - glad its fixed now !

Got it fixed by a specialist who took a mere minute or two, yup, it was the screw that had come loose

Told me that it wouldn't affect the warranty so long as I knew what I was doing

The screw does come loose on this lens

Thanks Echo

RichSoansPhotos wrote in post #16405833
Got it fixed by a specialist who took a mere minute or two, yup, it was the screw that had come loose

Told me that it wouldn't affect the warranty so long as I knew what I was doing

The screw does come loose on this lens

Thanks Echo

No worries ! Glad you got it fixed