First Post Introduction / Question Re EF 70-200 F/4L Operation (Scared its Faulty)

Since this will be my first post on the forums, I should briefly introduce myself...I have been lurking around here for many a year, but only recently actually made an account. I have been into photography since the 80's, but never been consistently committed to advance past an amateur stage. Lately I have focused on landscape and sailing/marine photography and finally felt like I made improvements warranting some upgrades...

...one of them was a used Canon EF 70 - 200 F/4L IS USM. My question...should the lens's IS mechanism be operating well after (couple seconds?) I have taken pressed the shutter button at an audible level (i.e. I can clearly hear it whirring while still holding the camera up)? None of my other IS lenses ever did that (though non were L grade). Did I get sold a bad lens or is this normal?

I bought it through (supposedly) reputable online outfit with Excellent/Like New grading for $850. I am also paranoid because my prior 2 purchases turned out to be non-advertised quality (EF 24-105 F/4L and EF 85 1.8 II). I tried doing a search, but I am still getting used to the site and I don't want to sit on a bad lens...so please point me in the right direction if this is already covered somewhere (or this is not the right section).

Anyhow, looking forward to sifting through the metric butt load of this forum's content and hopefully contributing at some point. Cheers.

Yes, my 70-200L F4 IS acts the same way - the IS runs for a second or two after I released the shutter button. And so do (did) some other lenses that I had, most notably it was Sigma 120-400. I do not remember other lenses' behaviour (I am out of town that week on business), I cannot comment on them.

Welcome to POTN.

The IS noise on the 70-200 f4L is a common question. Yes it's normal. The IS on that lens is just absurdly loud. Nothing to worry about.

My 70-200 f/4L IS USM runs the IS for a few seconds (2-3?) after pressing the shutter or AF-ON buttons. It is also the loudest IS of any of my IS lenses. Another thread on the topic: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=739837

Seems normal to me. As far as the photos go, you'll have to post a few to get a reaction. My copy is excellent, across the frame, wide open.

As to the 24-105 f/4L, it is not known for excellent sharpness. It is a very versatile high quality wide range zoom. Expect nothing more. Canon does not make an 85 1.8 II. They make an 85 1.8. My copy is also razor sharp wide open. They also make an 85 1.2 II. I've never touched one of those.

Figures I make my first post in the wrong section LOL Thank you mods

Lbsimon wrote in post #17684140
Yes, my 70-200L F4 IS acts the same way - the IS runs for a second or two after I released the shutter button. And so do (did) some other lenses that I had, most notably it was Sigma 120-400. I do not remember other lenses' behaviour (I am out of town that week on business), I cannot comment on them.

gremlin75 wrote in post #17684153
Welcome to POTN.

The IS noise on the 70-200 f4L is a common question. Yes it's normal. The IS on that lens is just absurdly loud. Nothing to worry about.

Awesome. Thanks guys. Like I said, I never used L lenses before and somehow imagined they would be the opposite, whisper quiet. Just threw me for a loop.

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17684161
My 70-200 f/4L IS USM runs the IS for a few seconds (2-3?) after pressing the shutter or AF-ON buttons. It is also the loudest IS of any of my IS lenses. Another thread on the topic: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=739837

Seems normal to me. As far as the photos go, you'll have to post a few to get a reaction. My copy is excellent, across the frame, wide open.

As to the 24-105 f/4L, it is not known for excellent sharpness. It is a very versatile high quality wide range zoom. Expect nothing more. Canon does not make an 85 1.8 II. They make an 85 1.8. My copy is also razor sharp wide open. They also make an 85 1.2 II. I've never touched one of those.

Thanks for the thread link. Of course I was not patient enough with my searching Test pictures I took thus far look good and AF is super quick (relative to what I had), but I will have more time over the weekend to play with it more.

Re 85mm, I confused it with my 50mm 1.8 II. I so don't have any business being anywhere near the 85mm 1.2II right now LOL I won't be keeping the 24-105 or the 85 anyway as they had issues and I am getting my money back. I am leaning towards 24-70 F4/L instead. I have been using 60D for the past 4 years and have been contemplating going FF in the not too distant future.

Did you get a manual with that lens? Somewhere in it is info that you should never remove the lens while the IS mechanism is still working. Or just turn the camera off first.

LexJLuthor wrote in post #17684200
Figures I make my first post in the wrong section LOL Thank you mods

Awesome. Thanks guys. Like I said, I never used L lenses before and somehow imagined they would be the opposite, whisper quiet. Just threw me for a loop.

Thanks for the thread link. Of course I was not patient enough with my searching Test pictures I took thus far look good and AF is super quick (relative to what I had), but I will have more time over the weekend to play with it more.

Re 85mm, I confused it with my 50mm 1.8 II. I so don't have any business being anywhere near the 85mm 1.2II right now LOL I won't be keeping the 24-105 or the 85 anyway as they had issues and I am getting my money back. I am leaning towards 24-70 F4/L instead. I have been using 60D for the past 4 years and have been contemplating going FF in the not too distant future.

Not trying to bait you or anything (yes, I am), but the 85 1.8 and 70-200 f/4L IS are totally different lenses on full frame. I hung on to my 60D for about 18 months after getting a 6D. It got used less and less. I finally sold it a few weeks ago. Don't miss it a bit. Oh, and did you notice you already have EF full-frame lenses. DOooooooo iiiiiiiiittt!

PhotosGuy wrote in post #17684204
Did you get a manual with that lens? Somewhere in it is info that you should never remove the lens while the IS mechanism is still working. Or just turn the camera off first.

I did not. I bought the lens used. Thanks for the info though! I figured it would not be smart to do anything while hearing unknown sounds LOL

GeoKras1989 wrote in post #17684209
Not trying to bait you or anything (yes, I am), but the 85 1.8 and 70-200 f/4L IS are totally different lenses on full frame. I hung on to my 60D for about 18 months after getting a 6D. It got used less and less. I finally sold it a few weeks ago. Don't miss it a bit. Oh, and did you notice you already have EF full-frame lenses. DOooooooo iiiiiiiiittt!

That's the plan Little by little I am getting there. I am first getting better quality glass as monthly disposable income affords it with intention to buy FF body with my X-Mas bonus. I have been using the 60D with the 18-200mm kit lens and 50mm 1.8II prime for the entire time...and finally feeling good enough about upgrading.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #17684204
Did you get a manual with that lens? Somewhere in it is info that you should never remove the lens while the IS mechanism is still working. Or just turn the camera off first.

I don't think I am THAT fast - to remove the lens within a second or two from the moment I released the SS button!