Lens creep. Is this normal?

[Mikedurg]

My 24-105 F4 L just started to creep. At 24 mm it holds strong but as oon as it is zoomed out even the lightest it will creep to about 50mm. The lens was purchased in January. Is this normal? Is something like this covered under warranty?

[Drizzt321]

My 24-105 F4 L just started to creep. At 24 mm it holds strong but as oon as it is zoomed out even the lightest it will creep to about 50mm. The lens was purchased in January. Is this normal? Is something like this covered under warranty?

It's normal. And unfortunate, I wish Canon would have a lock similar to how my Sigma 17-70 had one. Far as I know, none of the Canon zooms have a zoom lock except the push/pull type, but that's a different kind of 'lock'.

[arcanej]

It happens to me. I bought a Lensband for when I'm using the 24-105 with a Black Rapid strap.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/834030-REG/LENSBAND_628586557901_Lens_Band_Black.html

[Mikedurg]

Thanks for the info. I knew lens creep was an issue, i was just hoping it wasn't an issue on L zooms. Time to buy a lens band.

[Random Orbits]

It's normal. And unfortunate, I wish Canon would have a lock similar to how my Sigma 17-70 had one. Far as I know, none of the Canon zooms have a zoom lock except the push/pull type, but that's a different kind of 'lock'.

Some of them have locks.  I don't know how many, but the 70-300L has a lock when the lens is at 70mm.

[Jamesy]

It happens to me. I bought a Lensband for when I'm using the 24-105 with a Black Rapid strap.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/834030-REG/LENSBAND_628586557901_Lens_Band_Black.html

I received one of these with a knock-off BR strap from eBay. I thought it was a gimmicky wrist band - who knew! Mine has 2.8 4.0. 5.6 etc on it...

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I've used my 24-105mmL for a few years now, and it does not creep.  I'd contact Canon and ask for a fix.  The only lens I've had that had creep was a old 70-210 zoom, and I put a little pvc electrical tape under the front ring which fixed it nicely.  It originally had a felt seal that provided friction but wore out.

[neuroanatomist]

No creep on mine.  Not only that, but holding it and swinging, I need a lot of centrifugal force to get the zoom to extend - softball bat swing type force takes it to 50-70mm but not all the way out, a tennis backhand volley swing and the barrel doesn't move. 

[SambalOelek]

I've owned five of these. Out of those, three or more had creep with the lens hood attached, and two of them had creep without an attached lens hood. My current sample has creep with or without an attached lens hood.

[neuroanatomist]

I've owned five of these. Out of those, three or more had creep with the lens hood attached, and two of them had creep without an attached lens hood. My current sample has creep with or without an attached lens hood.

Bummer - guess I got lucky. Mine has the hood and a UV filter.

But really, how bad can it be?  For comparison, ever shot with the 70-300 DO?  I had one for a while, now that's a lens with serious creep in its double-extension design.  I was shooting fully extended once, tracking a bird in flight, and as the bird flew overhead, the zoom slammed back in so hard I swear I'm lucky the eyecup on my 7D didn't give me a black eye... 

[Jamesy]

  The only lens I've had that had creep was a old 70-210 zoom, and I put a little pvc electrical tape under the front ring which fixed it nicely.  It originally had a felt seal that provided friction but wore out.

I had one of these, the 3.5-4.5 USM - it was a great tele but had wicked creep. My 24-105 doesn't creep but it is still fairly new as it came in my 5D3 kit.

[arcanej]

Mine is from a 5d3 kit - still creepy. Luck of the draw, I guess, for an arbitrary definition of luck.

[rpt]

No creep on mine. But then, it is new. Have it since April.

[Joseph M]

No creep on mine either. I have been using it as my main lens on a 550D and now a 5D3 for almost a year now, the zoom ring is still a bit stiff despite the constant use, must be lucky I guess..

[pwp]

Yep my 24-105 is a creeper too. Very disconcerting especially during a highly technical shoot, or with the camera on a boom facing the floor for an overhead shot. If I'm using the 24-105 like this I just gaffa tape it into position. Crude but effective.

But even primes are not immune to creep. Last year my 90mmTS-E lens started to creep, and that means focus creep. That turned out to be a somewhat expensive exercise with an irritated client and some re-shoots needed. I'd check focus for each new shot and shoot with cable release. The shots looked sharp on the camera monitor. But not on the 30 inch studio panel. Errgh!

Canon repaired the 90mmTS-E...there was a worn internal component. Gaffa Tape! I still don't leave home without it...

-Paul Wright