24-70 f/2.8L II strange zoom noise + decentering issues

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lastcoyote

5D Mark III
Sep 19, 2012
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6,221
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Brighton, England
I've just received a replacement for my 24-70 f/2.8L II as after some shooting with the old one I felt it had some decentering issues (whole right edge was blurred).
The replacement seems generally sharper across the frame, though doing a brick wall test this weekend just gone I now believe this copy to have a slight blurry left edge, not as bad as last copy but still :-\ The right edge is pretty sharp. On this point can someone tell me if decentering issues can be fixed by Canon repair centers?
The other issue which is weird is a strange noise/sound when I zoom in and out. The old copy I had was fine..a bit more resistance than this new one but sounded normal. The new copy I've got makes a strange tiny 'crackling' sound. It doesn't sound mechanical at all and the zoom action is smooth all the way. Maybe something to do with rubber seal in the zoom ring or air/bubbles in lubrication maybe? Only way I can describe it is the sound kelloggs rice krispies make when they 'snap, crackle and pop' :) It seems to be quite random too. Sometimes it's worse than other times (temperature?). If I've not used it for a good few hours it hardly does it but then seems to happen more as I use it for that session. It is quite faint in sound I must add. If you were outside in noise you'd never notice but in a dead quiet room you can just hear it from behind the camera and if you put your ear to it it's clearly noticeable. I fear that if I used it for video the mic may pick it up easily causing some peaks in the audio.

Anyone else experience similar?
 
If you bought the lens new, then ask for another copy. DO NOT return to Canon for repair. $2300 is alot of money - to me of course.

I just checked my 24-70 II, there is no "cracking sound" on my copy. The lens is almost dead silent in my office with door closed.

Edit: my 70-200 f2.8 IS II doesn't have "crackling sound" with IS on, in quite office.

Edit: My copy was little stiff when I first received.
 
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thanks for the reply guys.
it's going back saturday as the zoom ring is definitely not sounding right. as I said before it's not that its a loud mechanical sound but rather like some static friction on something like the weather sealing or something. really weird as sometimes it sounded like it was going away and then the next second it was doing it again. never had anything like it with my other lenses. oh well it's going back for replacement. seller wasn't too happy as it's the second copy i've tried from them. both with seperate issues. maybe i'm just unlucky :(
 
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lastcoyote said:
thanks for the reply guys.
it's going back saturday as the zoom ring is definitely not sounding right. as I said before it's not that its a loud mechanical sound but rather like some static friction on something like the weather sealing or something. really weird as sometimes it sounded like it was going away and then the next second it was doing it again. never had anything like it with my other lenses. oh well it's going back for replacement. seller wasn't too happy as it's the second copy i've tried from them. both with seperate issues. maybe i'm just unlucky :(

I would careless what seller has to say or think. It's your money, make sure you get a good copy - that just me of course 8)
 
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Got the replacement copy today. Zoom ring sounds perfect! :D
Definitely must have been something strange going on with the one I returned. So I'm really pleased that I chose to send it back and get it replaced.
Actually the zoom ring action feels nicer too and smoother.
Obviously as I've only just got it today and attached it to the camera to check briefly I haven't done any extensive IQ testing but it appears to be very sharp in the middle of the frame at wide and tele end. Will need to check edges at 24mm properly but that also appears to be very good. So think I've got a keeper!
Also don't know if it's my imagination but this copy also appears to be quieter when auto focusing. The returned one was ever so slightly clunky sounding at times. Nothing serious but again this one is an improvement.
So all appears to be good. Even with the inconvenience I've had with getting a good copy without issues I'm still amazed by the near prime-like quality of the images this zoom can create.
Looking forward to putting it through it's paces now :)
 
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