24-70 II slight clicking sound when zooming

[dsc888]

Very helpful thread. I am one of the people that jumped on the sale last week. Mine came in on Friday. I've been testing it over the weekend. Everything checks out except...a very audible clicking sound when adjusting the focal length.

It has a pinch cap. March 2013 construction based on TDP guidelines...
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/Canon-Lens-Aging.aspx

docsmith,

Who did you buy yours from? I believe only 4 vendors did the "price drop" which included Bestbuy, Amazon, B&H, and Adorama. Thanks!

 

[dsc888]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm a public school teacher-- if I'm going to spend that much on a lens, I think it should be perfect. Got an RMA from BandH and am sending it in today.

Hopefully won't have to wait too long for replacement...

Please keep us all posted. It's not a small investment if you are not a professional photographer like most of us here. And I too want the best for my hard earned money. I'd like to see if you 2nd unit is any better. Thank you.

 

[dsc888]

Good question!

Either way, if the next one does it too... I'm going to take that as a sign, and get the Tamron instead! :-\

I wouldn't, once you get a good copy it just doesn't get better IMO.

There is a certain "lottery" with the Tamron, too (I love my copy, but it is my second). I think the reality is that when you are a demanding consumer (as probably most people on this forum are), you have to be prepared for a process when acquiring a new lens. The work to get a great copy is worth it, and there is sample variation from all manufacturers.

Very true indeed. I had 2 copies of the Tamron and both had focus or softness issues. And the fact that 70mm was more like 60-65mm was not what I wanted. I had the Canon 24-70 Mark 1 and the long end was actually longer than 70mm. It felt more like a 75mm. It was great for portraits at that FL. So the Canon is my only choice at this point.

 

[ChrisM]

I bought one from BandH last week when the price fell to $1699 (with the rebate) and it came on friday. I immediately noticed it because I am so used to buying used, and always checking the mechanisms. It was silent when zooming in, all the way to 70mm. It was when zooming out, the whole way to 24mm that it made the clicking sound.

Hopefully won't have to wait too long for replacement...

I, too, bought one from BandH last week when the price became irresistable...and it also arrived on Friday. Before unboxing it, I found this thread. So with dread filling my stomach, I checked the serial number against TDP's chart and, to my surprise, found I'd been sent a November 2012 build. With hope, now, I unboxed it...found it had the side-pinch cap...then checked for clicking. Nothing. Even holding the lens to my ear all I heard was the usual 'swoosh', whether zooming out or in.

Clearly I lucked out, but my point in posting is to suggest that you call BandH to see if they still have any 2012 build items in stock. I hope it works out for you.

 

[silversurfer96]

I hope I don't regret my decision. When BB first dropped the price with sales tax, I was one of the first to buy it. Before long, I have the new 24-70 II lens in my hands. After a few shots, I was blown away by the image quality. But there was something that keep bothering... why the old side pinch cap... why? I bought it brand new... why does it have the old style cap. But after a few days, I decided that I can just replace it with the center-style pinch cap. I was again a happy camper... Then Amazon started selling the same lens at the price dropped price.. Then B&H... At that time, Adorama has entered the scene yet. I couldn't take advantage of Amazon because of the sales tax thing in CA. However, I called B&H and found they were selling at the same price without sales tax and free shipping. Placed the day.... Since that time, I have returned my good copy from BB. Now I am waiting for it to arrive some time later this week. I am hoping that I don't have this issue on my new expecting lens. That would be a bummer that I sent in a perfect good 2012 copy for a new version with the tick-tick-tick sound while zooming.

 

[pensive tomato]

On the issue of copy variation/possible bad batches, I do have what I believe to be a March 2013 copy of this lens that does not have any ticking sounds while zooming in either direction (first 3 digits of my lens are 032). My lens also came with the center-pinch cap and I got it in June from a large local retailer. This was my second copy of the 24-70mm, as the first one had a focus issue (2013 copy to my recollection, but no tick sound either).

 

[hiZis]

Has anyone seen this issue?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=L058yQENvd4#t=37
I'm going to buy this lens hopefully soon and just looking for any kind of issues with it.
It's kind of frightening to order it on web. I must admit, it's a shame that for this amount of MONEY this model has so many problems.

 

[willhuff.net]

I just ordered it from B&H and got the clicking noise. It has a pinch style cap. I have to leave for a trip tomorrow so I'll complain to Canon when I get back.

 

[JonB8305]

I just ordered it from B&H and got the clicking noise. It has a pinch style cap. I have to leave for a trip tomorrow so I'll complain to Canon when I get back.

Just got mine today and it has the clicking noise as well. It must be by design.

 

[dsc888]

I do have what I believe to be a March 2013 copy of this lens that does not have any ticking sounds while zooming in either direction (first 3 digits of my lens are 032). My lens also came with the center-pinch cap and I got it in June from a large local retailer. This was my second copy of the 24-70mm, as the first one had a focus issue (2013 copy to my recollection, but no tick sound either).

Thanks for your feedback. You may have been one of the lucky 2013 owners. It seems like most of the newer units come with the ticking. My guess is that most people aren't looking or listening for the noise. But to be honest, I heard it right away. If this is how they all are, I can either only return mine for a refund or get another one with the same issue and perhaps worse optics due to variation.

 

[JonB8305]

I do have what I believe to be a March 2013 copy of this lens that does not have any ticking sounds while zooming in either direction (first 3 digits of my lens are 032). My lens also came with the center-pinch cap and I got it in June from a large local retailer. This was my second copy of the 24-70mm, as the first one had a focus issue (2013 copy to my recollection, but no tick sound either).

Thanks for your feedback. You may have been one of the lucky 2013 owners. It seems like most of the newer units come with the ticking. My guess is that most people aren't looking or listening for the noise. But to be honest, I heard it right away. If this is how they all are, I can either only return mine for a refund or get another one with the same issue and perhaps worse optics due to variation.

its not that big of a deal though

 

[Loswr]

Just got mine today and it has the clicking noise as well. It must be by design.

Since the earlier copies didn't click, you're suggesting that Canon intentionally made a design change during production that resulted in this clicking noise?

its not that big of a deal though

Noise results from friction. Friction causes wear. Maybe it's not a big deal today...but since wear is cumulative and lenses have a (potential) lifespan of many years, I wouldn't be so confident that it's not a big deal...

If I bought a lens that clicked like these recent units do, I'd return/exchange it.

Now, maybe it is normal - the 300/4L IS makes a loud 'clunk' when the IS kicks in, and then the operation settles down to a low growl. But the thing I find troublesome about the 24-70/2.8L II clicking issue is that it appears to affect only more recent copies, and not all of them. That suggests a manufacturing problem, not a design change.

 

[JonB8305]

Just got mine today and it has the clicking noise as well. It must be by design.

Since the earlier copies didn't click, you're suggesting that Canon intentionally made a design change during production that resulted in this clicking noise?

its not that big of a deal though

Noise results from friction. Friction causes wear. Maybe it's not a big deal today...but since wear is cumulative and lenses have a (potential) lifespan of many years, I wouldn't be so confident that it's not a big deal...

If I bought a lens that clicked like these recent units do, I'd return/exchange it.

Now, maybe it is normal - the 300/4L IS makes a loud 'clunk' when the IS kicks in, and then the operation settles down to a low growl. But the thing I find troublesome about the 24-70/2.8L II clicking issue is that it appears to affect only more recent copies, and not all of them. That suggests a manufacturing problem, not a design change.

I guess I'll go ahead and process that return.

 

[dsc888]

Hey Gentlemen,

After much contemplation and a little head scratching, I've decided to return my lens. I'm calling DPReview's GearShop tomorrow morning as their automated return system isn't giving me a prepaid UPS label like Amazon normally does. They actually have very good reps who answer the phones pretty quickly after my last call to them before I placed my order. I will ask for just 1 replacement. If the next one is bad, then I am done. And it's back to my 24-105L.

I mounted my trusty 24-105 back on my 5D3 and the zoom ring was pure silk. No clicks. No ticks. Just smooth rotation of the ring. Wish me luck!

 

[dsc888]

I just ordered it from B&H and got the clicking noise. It has a pinch style cap. I have to leave for a trip tomorrow so I'll complain to Canon when I get back.

Best wishes with your lens. I've decided to return mine within my 30 day window and ask for a replacement which could possibly have the exact same issue. Who knows! Hope all works out when you get back.

 

[No Mayo]

Well, I purchased one from B+H during the 1699 deal and it is scheduled to arrive at my door in about 12 hours. I do not feel lucky...

 

[pensive tomato]

You may have been one of the lucky 2013 owners. It seems like most of the newer units come with the ticking. My guess is that most people aren't looking or listening for the noise. But to be honest, I heard it right away.

I can assure you mine doesn't make unexpected noises as the zoom operates, and definitively nothing like what you describe. I'm not doubting what's been reported here but it better be a limited QC issue on Canon's side.

After much contemplation and a little head scratching, I've decided to return my lens. [...] I mounted my trusty 24-105 back on my 5D3 and the zoom ring was pure silk. No clicks. No ticks. Just smooth rotation of the ring. Wish me luck!

Best of luck indeed! Nothing against the 24-105mm (I used to own one), but I certainly hope that most 24-70mm owners would get to enjoy its benefits right away. As Neuro suggested, I wouldn't expect the mechanical quality of the 24-70mm to be inferior to that of any of Canon's standard zooms.

 

[dsc888]

I can assure you mine doesn't make unexpected noises as the zoom operates, and definitively nothing like what you describe. I'm not doubting what's been reported here but it better be a limited QC issue on Canon's side.

Best of luck indeed! Nothing against the 24-105mm (I used to own one), but I certainly hope that most 24-70mm owners would get to enjoy its benefits right away. As Neuro suggested, I wouldn't expect the mechanical quality of the 24-70mm to be inferior to that of any of Canon's standard zooms.

Thank you! I hear everything you are saying. I did several test shots with my 24-105 and immediately saw the decreased sharpness and contrast last night. My 24-105 was my "interim" lens after I sold my 24-70 MkI and has served me well for the last year or so when stopped down to f5.6 for general photography and as a video lens. The 24-70 MkII is about 90-95% as sharp as my primes at the same focal length and aperture so I do want a good, mechanically sound copy. I'll report back once I have my replacement.

 

[wfmiller]

Just received my copy today and yes it clicks...MFG date of March 2013!!

 

[Viggo]

I seriously had no idea my issue way up here in Norway would be THIS extended, wow... It sucks to hear you guys still getting the "clickers". Hopefully Canon will pull their heads out of their you know whats and fix this already!