24-85 focus shift and passing infinity?

Just got into Canon...and have my first questions about the 24-85 zoom lens...

1. Is it "normal" for the focus point to shift when zooming from one focal length to another? I have only 2 zooms (not Canon) and their focus doesn't shift when I zoom...

2. Is it normal for the focus ring to continue rotating (tho not focusing) past the infinity point?

I do get some pincushing at 85, and barreling at 24...but not so much distortion that I can't live with...it's sharp and fits well with the d30 bod...

Thanks for your help...

I have the same lens and very happy with it's perfomance.

1. Yes, the function of keeping the focus when zooming is called "parfocal"
The 24-85 is not parfocal, but can be used nearly as one. But not 100%

2. It's normal that the focus ring continue to rotate when past infinity. It's one of
the "thing" with USM lens.

Learn how the lens behave, and use it at it's best points and it's a fine lens.

Raphael Emond wrote in post #2060242
I have the same lens and very happy with it's perfomance.

1. Yes, the function of keeping the focus when zooming is called "parfocal"
The 24-85 is not parfocal, but can be used nearly as one. But not 100%

2. It's normal that the focus ring continue to rotate when past infinity. It's one of
the "thing" with USM lens.

Learn how the lens behave, and use it at it's best points and it's a fine lens.

Whew...I feel a LOT better this morning...thanks. I got the lens off of ebay and, well, you can never be 120% sure what you're getting there...it IS a nice lens and the Canon EOS digital set up may have me never going back to my film Nikons again...

Thanks again...

I got mine from ebay and it seams to have some front focus problem, about 2" I will post the results to see what you think and if it is acceptable problem. 95% of the pictures taken with this lens are usable specially after putting some sharpening in dpp.