70-200 f2.8 IS II noise

[DaveMiko]

I'm starting this topic, since I have sth else to ask you guys.

It's been a few months now (since mid-July, I think) that my 70-200 f2.8 IS II makes a strange noise when the IS engages and disengages. Before, it was totally silent. As far as IQ and overall performance goes, everything seems to be OK. Does anyone have any idea, suggestion why is that so? Do I need to be worried and send my lens in for repair?

Thanks in advance for your comments

 

[J.R.]

What do you mean by strange noise? With various lenses it can be a clunky sound (100-400), a squishy sound (24-105) or an audible growl (300 f/4).

Are you sure that it didn't make any sound earlier? I used my 70-200 II for over a month before I realised it was making a sound when the IS was engaging / disengaging.that said, I can hear it only when I am in the confines of a very silent room though where it is fairly audible.

I've also noticed that the more I look out it, the more audible it gets.

 

[DaveMiko]

What do you mean by strange noise? With various lenses it can be a clunky sound (100-400), a squishy sound (24-105) or an audible growl (300 f/4).

Are you sure that it didn't make any sound earlier? I used my 70-200 II for over a month before I realised it was making a sound when the IS was engaging / disengaging.that said, I can hear it only when I am in the confines of a very silent room though where it is fairly audible.

I've also noticed that the more I look out it, the more audible it gets.

I also own the 24-105 and the 100-400 (but not the 300 f4) and I can compare the sound my 70-200 II makes to a growl or a grinding noise, somewhat similar to both the sound of the IS on the 24-105 and on the 100-400. It's not loud. Like your copy, I can hear it only in a quiet environment. Still, I recall my lens being completely silent for about 3-4 months (I purchased my copy in March).

 

[chilledXpress]

These threads always amaze me... my lens/camera started to do strange things, make strange noises. I know, I'll go to a forum and ask about it, I'll get a bunch of people to say either... mine doesn't or mine does the same thing... followed by, can you describe the noise, can you make a video.... I dunno, whats the make date... mine was made in so and so... and so on.

42 pages of replies later... you'll still be in the same boat.

Eventually, after spinning your wheels and not getting a "fix" or a answer that addresses your worries... you'll send it in to CPS. Lenses and camera bodies are consumables (ask Roger C at LensRentals), they need service just like a car or anything else that gets regular use. If your car started to make a strange noise as you were commuting to work would you go to the internet and ask random people what it could be? Even if you get an answer, your eventually going to have to take it in to get service... or turn up the radio loud enough you can't hear it and hope and pray it doesn't blow up on you somewhere on the road. Same thing with your lens/camera body...

 

[DaveMiko]

These threads always amaze me... my lens/camera started to do strange things, make strange noises. I know, I'll go to a forum and ask about it, I'll get a bunch of people to say either... mine doesn't or mine does the same thing... followed by, can you describe the noise, can you make a video.... I dunno, whats the make date... mine was made in so and so... and so on.

42 pages of replies later... you'll be still in the same boat.

Eventually, after spinning your wheels and not getting a "fix"... you'll send it in to CPS. Lenses and camera bodies are consumables, they need service just like a car or anything else that gets regular use. If your car started to make a strange noise as you were commuting to work would you go to the internet and ask random people what it could be? Even if you get an answer, your eventually going to have to take it in to get service... or turn up the radio loud enough you can't hear it and hope and pray it doesn't blow up on you somewhere on the road. Same thing with your lens/camera body...

I know all this (everybody does, I guess), but unless you have something to say, I suggest you better spend your spare time more wisely and profitably for you. ... To be more precise: I asked only the opinion of knowledgeable people here, whether this phenomenon falls under the heading "normal copy variation" (it's the same thing with any sort of machinery), or do I have to send my lens in for repair/check, whatever.

 

[chilledXpress]

These threads always amaze me... my lens/camera started to do strange things, make strange noises. I know, I'll go to a forum and ask about it, I'll get a bunch of people to say either... mine doesn't or mine does the same thing... followed by, can you describe the noise, can you make a video.... I dunno, whats the make date... mine was made in so and so... and so on.

42 pages of replies later... you'll be still in the same boat.

Eventually, after spinning your wheels and not getting a "fix"... you'll send it in to CPS. Lenses and camera bodies are consumables, they need service just like a car or anything else that gets regular use. If your car started to make a strange noise as you were commuting to work would you go to the internet and ask random people what it could be? Even if you get an answer, your eventually going to have to take it in to get service... or turn up the radio loud enough you can't hear it and hope and pray it doesn't blow up on you somewhere on the road. Same thing with your lens/camera body...

I know all this (everybody does, I guess), but unless you have something to say, I suggest you better spend your spare time more wisely and profitably for you. ... To be more precise: I asked only the opinion of knowledgeable people here, whether this phenomenon falls under the heading "normal copy variation" (it's the same thing with any sort of machinery), or do I have to send my lens in for repair/check, whatever.

Can you make a video... I can't hear your lens from here

You asked for suggestions and advice. That's mine, send it in to CPS and get a service if you're worried or wait for it to self destruct. If you don't like that suggestion, I suggest you don't ask on a forum. Talk about spending time wisely.

 

[BruinBear]

My lens does the same thing, has a light grinding noise when the is engages and turns off. Both copies of the lens i have used have made the same sound. I also asked the CPS repair center about it when it was in for cleaning and they confirmed that it was normal to make that sound.

Mine is almost silent once the IS is up and running though.

 

[DaveMiko]

My lens does the same thing, has a light grinding noise when the is engages and turns off. Both copies of the lens i have used have made the same sound. I also asked the CPS repair center about it when it was in for cleaning and they confirmed that it was normal to make that sound.

Mine is almost silent once the IS is up and running though.

That's exactly the case with mine. Thanks for clearing it up for me!

 

[Sporgon]

My 300 f4 seriously sounds as if the whole lens is disintegrating when the IS starts, but it's been that way for years now ;D. Also one of the 24-105s that we had at BP was very noisy, but worked fine.

So I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Ignore the rude replies, some guys have monthly problems too.

 

[DaveMiko]

My 300 f4 seriously sounds as if the whole lens is disintegrating when the IS starts, but it's been that way for years now ;D. Also one of the 24-105s that we had at BP was very noisy, but worked fine.

So I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Ignore the rude replies, some guys have monthly problems too.

My 24-105 is noisy, too, but it has been like that right out of the box, so I didn't mind.

Yeah, I guessed that.

 

[DaveMiko]

Now I have a clearer idea. The phenomenon my lens experienced falls under the heading "normal copy variation".

 

[pelebel]

The way you describe it, it reminds me when I've had sand in an IS lens. Had to send it to service, and it came back a lot better.