70-200 f/2.8 II zoom ring smooth or not?

I just picked up my 2nd EF 70-200 f/2.8 II. It has been a couple of years since I had my last one so my memory may not be completely accurate.

But the zoom ring feels a bit "gritty" when I turn it, like the internal mechanism isn't turning smoothly.

Are they all like this or did I get a "special" one?

Used mine today, about 100 clicks trying to practice bif. It was buttery smooth.

I just received my new 70-200 2.8 IS II a few days ago, and I can say it is quite a bit more stiff and not as smooth compared to the zoom ring on my well-used 70-200 2.8 IS Ver I that I just sold. Mine isn't significant enough for me to be concerned, but it is a noticeable difference from my previous model. I expect that's just bc its new and it'll get smoother with a bit of use.

Edit: I didn't mean to imply mine is gritty at all, and I suppose the lack of "smoothness" comes from it taking considerably more effort to turn the zoom ring on the new lens vs my old one. I could turn the old one using just my thumb with little effort. Not so much on the new one.

No zoom ring or focus ring should ever feel gritty.

Both zoom and focus rings are smooth on my copy.

Lee

Mine has a very slight vibration/friction when turning the zoom ring - it seems due to the effort of moving the helicoid in and out. I wouldn't call it gritty because it doesn't stick or jump at all, but it's not as silky smooth as the focus ring (which is a totally different mechanism). It certainly isn't bothersome in daily use.

Mine is nice and smooth.... If at all unhappy take it back to the shop and show them..

GregDunn wrote in post #17808383
Mine has a very slight vibration/friction when turning the zoom ring - it seems due to the effort of moving the helicoid in and out. I wouldn't call it gritty because it doesn't stick or jump at all, but it's not as silky smooth as the focus ring (which is a totally different mechanism). It certainly isn't bothersome in daily use.

Mine is similar to yours. It seems perfectly acceptable considering how much glass you are moving around.

msowsun wrote in post #17808526
Mine is similar to yours. It seems perfectly acceptable considering how much glass you are moving around.

I agree. It's actually surprising that the 24-70 2.8 is so smooth with those massive lens groups you have to shift. Maybe because the 70-200 helicoids are so different.

Both my copies have been smooth as butter, and they should be until it bumps when its fully zoomed.