EF 24-70L f/2.8 stiff zoom ring

I just got my hands on my 2nd copy of the 24-70. This copy has a stiff zoom ring as well.... Is this normal? Any other users report this problem with fresh 24-70's? It gets stiffer the wider you go. Going from 35-24 is difficult. I'm just wondering if this is normal...

My 24-70 has no problems with the zoom......moves pretty easy.

brianch wrote in post #5937261
I just got my hands on my 2nd copy of the 24-70. This copy has a stiff zoom ring as well.... Is this normal? Any other users report this problem with fresh 24-70's? It gets stiffer the wider you go. Going from 35-24 is difficult. I'm just wondering if this is normal...

How stiff is stiff? Stiff enough so the lens doesn't fall with the force of gravity? Or would you prefer it move with the forces of gravity?

brianch wrote in post #5937261
I just got my hands on my 2nd copy of the 24-70. This copy has a stiff zoom ring as well.... Is this normal? Any other users report this problem with fresh 24-70's? It gets stiffer the wider you go. Going from 35-24 is difficult. I'm just wondering if this is normal...

IMHO - it could be a sign that the lens has had some impact damage eg. dropped.

was the lens used?

the lens is brand new.. i returned one already that had this problem and i got the replacement yesterday.. its not as bad with this one but still pretty stiff..definately not smooth like the 70-200. you kind of have to push it when you are into 24-35 range. i did a bit of research and some users say that it's like that when its brand new and it smooths out after a few weeks of use.

brianch wrote in post #5937423
the lens is brand new.. i returned one already that had this problem and i got the replacement yesterday.. its not as bad with this one but still pretty stiff..definately not smooth like the 70-200. you kind of have to push it when you are into 24-35 range. i did a bit of research and some users say that it's like that when its brand new and it smooths out after a few weeks of use.

I reckon it is in that range that some of the elements in the lens start moving in a different direction, or where a second lens group starts moving too, likely at a different speed. That will indeed smooth out with use, or become less noticeable because you get used to it .

This is, generally speaking, very common in zoom lenses which cover a WA to tele range, and is caused by inherent design issues, due to the need to cover both WA and normal-tele. The cut-off point where this happens or starts happening is often in the 35 mm equivalent range, but this does depend a little on the zoom range, the lens mount to sensor distance, the maximum aperture, and the overal design of such a lens too.

Kind regards, Wim

yeah i was wondering the same thing about my brand new 24-70L and sent it out to Canon for calibration and ensure the Zoom ring is not over stressed. Canon said it was fine and normal. Again, "stiff zoom ring" is relative to each person. Does it affect your quality at all?

brianch wrote in post #5937423
the lens is brand new.. i returned one already that had this problem and i got the replacement yesterday.. its not as bad with this one but still pretty stiff..definately not smooth like the 70-200. you kind of have to push it when you are into 24-35 range. i did a bit of research and some users say that it's like that when its brand new and it smooths out after a few weeks of use.

For what it's worth, I've had four copies of this lens before I got one that was a) smooth in operation, b) sharp (as in not soft) and c) didn't have a front or rear focusing problem. Appalling for a so called quality lens in my opinion especially given the price. I have to say though, that of the four only one (only???!!!!) had a problem with the zoom ring.

thanks wimg for the reply. donaldinc : no i believe it does not effect IQ at all. i was just curious to see if the "stiff zoom ring" was normal. it is much stiffer then my 17-40 and 70-200. i'm so use to using my 70-200 that i constantly find myself at 70mm with the 24-70. wish it had IS though

The stiffness when going to the wide end of the lens is Canons way of saying, "Warning, exceeding this point extreme back focus will occur." LOL

I was wondering why most of my "wide" shots are done at 28mm LOL