Canon 70D zooming in/out during video not smooth

I have the Canon 18-135 IS STM lens and when I am shooting video handheld or on tripod, I am unable to zoom in or out smoothly from start to finish. What I mean is that I try to not be jerky when zoom and try to keep the momentum the same from start to finish, but the lens is kind of, for lack of a better word, sticky. Not stuck.

So, I am wondering though if my lens (I do keep very clean, in bag, out of elements) is a problem or if its just the nature of the use of the lens for what I am trying to attempt.

If its NOT the lens, then is there some tool or device that would help in making for smooth/steady zooming when shooting video?

You could get a lens with electronic zooming.

As in many of the non-L Canon, and for that fact non-Canon, zoom lenses, the smoothness of the zoom mechanism can vary. I've seen good copies, and not so good copies of zoom lenses that have a sticky zoom mechanism.

My Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS has the smoothest manual zoom ring of all my lenses. So it's possible that your 18-135 lens is just not all that smooth and when you try to manually zoom, with constant effort, it appears a bit jerky in your video.

This is a common problem and there are lots of ways to improve your zooming. Anything from a silicon/rubber can opener around the zoom ring to an expensive geared dslr video rig. Do some looking around and you'll find plenty of options.

Might check the video sub forum here first.

1: the 18-135STM is a focus by wire lens, meaning it uses electronics to zoom, not a direct mechanical linkage. It is impossible to predict how fast or slow it will zoom every time. That is a main complaint video people have of FBW lenses.
2: avoid zooming during video if possible. It is something video people avoid because it looks cheesy or low budget. Different strokes for different folks though.

BrickR wrote in post #17347930
1: the 18-135STM is a focus by wire lens, meaning it uses electronics to zoom, not a direct mechanical linkage. It is impossible to predict how fast or slow it will zoom every time. That is a main complaint video people have of FBW lenses.
2: avoid zooming during video if possible. It is something video people avoid because it looks cheesy or low budget. Different strokes for different folks though.

Yes, it has electronic focus by wire, but zooming is mechanical just like most other lenses.

Good catch!