Lens Squeak - 24-70 2.8 USM II - Is this Normal?

[Invertalon]

Normal. Mine does it too. I figured it was the dust/weather sealing in the lens because if I wipe down the extending barrel with my cleaner I use for all my gear, it goes away for months. When it comes back, another wipe down and it goes away again. Makes sense, as it probably acts as a weak lubricant of sorts on the seals.

To me, it sounded like a gasket/seal... So hearing Canon confirm that makes perfect sense. Again, once I wipe down the barrel, the sound goes away completely. Try doing the same?

I use Meguiars interior protectant for all my camera cleaning (external). Good for light rubber/plastic cleaning and without being greasy. I spray it on a microfiber very lightly and wipe down my equipment.

 

[mshaw]

Normal. Mine does it too. I figured it was the dust/weather sealing in the lens because if I wipe down the extending barrel with my cleaner I use for all my gear, it goes away for months. When it comes back, another wipe down and it goes away again. Makes sense, as it probably acts as a weak lubricant of sorts on the seals.

To me, it sounded like a gasket/seal... So hearing Canon confirm that makes perfect sense. Again, once I wipe down the barrel, the sound goes away completely. Try doing the same?

I use Meguiars interior protectant for all my camera cleaning (external). Good for light rubber/plastic cleaning and without being greasy. I spray it on a microfiber very lightly and wipe down my equipment.

Very interesting. I was planning on going to my local canon store this weekend to see if other copies had a similar issue. Both times the lens was serviced by canon, it was lubricated, so I would be hesitant to chalk this up to a lubrication issue. That said, I could see why using Meguiars would lessen the noise. Even if it is less greasy then ArmorAll, it would still get everything sliding nicely I'm sure.

I appreciate the advice, but I'm not certain I'll go down this road as I'm a bit concerned about using Meguiars on my gear. From my experience with any car care products of that nature it tends to attract dust/dirt act in the long run. It sounds like you have not had this issue though?

 

[Invertalon]

Nope, I have been using the stuff for years. It absolutely does not feel greasy one bit, nor does it attract dust or cause any other issues. Again, I just lightly mist a microfiber and wipe down everything. It does not get "wet" or anything. It acts as a very mild cleaner/protectant, and has been my go-to product for choice as it is safe on almost all rubber/plastic surfaces.

It is NOT the protectant product they sell, but the interior cleaner. Here is a link to the one I am talking about on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Interior-Detailer-Cleaner-16-oz/dp/B000AMLWH8

 

[M.ST]

The lens IQ is very good but:

1. Canon has massive production problems not only with the 24-70 2.8 II (I test a few 70-200 2.8 II IS L lenses with the new caps on it and all the testet lenses delivers a very bad IQ - compared to my two lenses the tested 70-200 2.8 II IS L lenses are totally junk - I tested a new 100 2.8 Macro IS lens and are the opinion that the plastic body feels more cheap as my Macro lens body)

2. After opening and looking into one of the latest 24-70 2.8 II lenses (new Cap on it) I was disappointed about the product quality inside the lens. The product quality of the version one (not the IQ) is a big step over the version two.

Conclusion:
Send it back to Canon and demand a lens without problems or sell it and buy the 24-70 4.0 IS lens. The 24-70 4.0 IS has much better IQ (only if the objects is a few meters away). The 24-70 4.0 IS is now in IQ the sencond best Canon lens only a few points away from the 180 mm Macro lens.

 

[mike921]

Mine doesn't squeak, either fast or slow zooming. Serial #011500xxxx, came with the non-pinch type front cap.

 

[Ripley]

"Squeaking" noises come from friction between two surfaces. That lens is known to have a tight assembly and stiff zoom ring. Something is probably just rubbing a bit microscopically and always has been. It will probably go away eventually. Would you prefer a loose assembly?

I think you're obsessing (understandably). If the IQ is great and everything is functioning properly, I say let it go and enjoy your lens.

 

[mshaw]

"Squeaking" noises come from friction between two surfaces. That lens is known to have a tight assembly and stiff zoom ring. Something is probably just rubbing a bit microscopically and always has been. It will probably go away eventually. Would you prefer a loose assembly?

I think you're obsessing (understandably). If the IQ is great and everything is functioning properly, I say let it go and enjoy your lens.

This idea would make sense except that the lens did not squeak out of the box. The squeak started as an intermittent problem after what I'd estimate to be 3 mo. of use and progressed until it became consistent. If the lens had started with the squeak, when it's tolerances would have presumably been the tightest - perhaps it would loosen up over time. If anything, after a summer of being lugged around the PNW the lens should be well on it's way to loosening up, but the squeak has gotten worse. Thanks for the input, any and all ideas are welcome. Looking into hiring a Witch Doctor in Portland to throw some chicken bones at it now. Amazing what you can find on craigslist!

 

[Ruined]

Another downside to this is resale value. Buyers would likely return to you a lens that squeaks, and if you list the squeak in the ad you'd have to price it much lower than other sellers.

 

[mshaw]

Another downside to this is resale value. Buyers would likely return to you a lens that squeaks, and if you list the squeak in the ad you'd have to price it much lower than other sellers.

Completely agree. Planning on going to my local canon store tomorrow to handle other 24-70's. Very confident other copies will not squeak. Will take another video, side by side, with my lens squeak and the other copies non-squeak and will be returning lens to canon for the #3 attempt, video included. Perhaps they won't be able to justify this as 'normal' if none of the other copies exhibit this 'normal mechanical sound.'

Re-Sale Value is my #2 reason for pushing the issue, right behind decreased functionality for video. I would never buy a lens that squeaked. Not sure who the heck would want to unless it was ridiculously cheap.

The saga continues…

 

[OKO-SAN]

Clean and non-aggressive cleaning agent - water for injection ampoules. Purchased at your local pharmacy. Do not use large amounts of water. Fiber should be slightly moist. Do not mount the lens to the body to dry completely. Pure water does not leave sticky spots for dust.)))

 

[bobby samat]

no squeak on mine. i zoomed as fast as you did in the video. i can hear air, no squeak.

it's a bummer to find out that yours is making a noise. it sounds like canon isn't going to help you and it's unfortunate to hear their ultimate conclusion. i've gotten to use lots of canon zooms. none of them squeaked. among them were zooms that extended from the lens body.

your main goal should be image quality. as long as the lens is sharp and the pictures look good, i would be happy and try to be more tollerant of the noise.

 

[Ruined]

Threads like these, combined with the high price and lack of IS, is why I now refuse to buy this lens.

At $2200 the lens should be premium build Canon stands behind. It should have the latest technologies. It seems to have production problems, Canon appears to refuse to stand behind it, and it fails to have image stabilization while a competitor's lens half the price does.

It is amazing how much of a disappointment this lens is given its price tag! If you don't mind exchanging 5x you *might* get a good one - though in the OP's case a "good one" turned into a "bad one" over time - but for the pricetag that is just too much to ask IMO, again especially lacking IS.

Let's hope Canon does a do-over with a new version of this in 2014 with IS and none of the production issues.

 

[bobby samat]

i've met four or five people with the 24-70 II over the last year and they all had nothing but praise. none of them mentioned noises like clicking or squeaking, so i'm guessing the problem isn't as widespread as suggested.

i usually bring two bodies to shoot and the 24-70 II is almost always on one of them. bottom line - the AF is reliable and the pictures are very sharp. you can go from reasonably wide to near portrait immediately. 24-70 is a great focal length for me.

since there is supposedly a 24-70 2.8 IS coming out, then the price of the 24-70 II should keep coming down. BH has it for 1700 right now, which is a steal. if IS is important to you, wait. i'm interested in seeing how much the new lens will be.

i have mixed emotions about the necessity of IS until you get a little closer to 70mm, so spending the extra for IS on a lens with this focal range isn't something i would be willing to do currently. different story with the 70-200.

this has probably been mentioned, but if i had a newer lens that canon wasn't doing anything about, i would find a reputable lens/camera repair service and have them take a look.

anyone have an opinion as to if extreme humidity, or extreme lack of humidity, could make a zoom lens squeak?

 

[mshaw]

So here is the latest update in the squeak that wouldn't die thread…

Earlier this week I took a video of my squeaky lens next to a brand new 24-70 at my local can shop. Zoomed them both in/out and was able to clearly show squeak vs. no squeak. I sent the lens into canon for the 3rd time and provided a link to the video. I also kindly told them again, that this was not a 'normal mechanical sound,' as neither when my lens when new(er), nor with the new 24-70 in the video was the squeak present. Moreover, I re-iterated that the squeak made video a PITA, which is a basic function of the lens. Blah blah blah… with a few tears mixed in.

Long story short, told Canon that if they can not/will not repair the lens, I do not want it back. New copy, credit, box of whitman chocolates, no matter to me - just don't want to deal with squeaky anymore and get the run around. Don't have the time to take on evil empires like I used to. Zeiss is looking very tempting about now. Pick your poison I suppose…

I'll keep you all posted.

 

[Ruined]

Good luck man. I'm not touching this lens until 2014, by then hope all this squeaking/clicking bs is sorted out!

fyi someone got a June build on dpr that clicks :-/

 

[mshaw]

So I took one last video of my squeaky lens side by side with a new 24-70 with no squeak. I then send the video and lens into Canon. Received the lens back today - squeak still present of course. But wait it gets better!

Turns out the lens was improperly packaged - the foam spacers were reversed allowing the lens to roll around in the box all the way from VA to WA. The lens cap even popped off from all of the jostling…

I am at a loss here folks. Time to move on from my 10+ year love affair with Canon :-(

Canon 24-70 f/2.8 USM II Squeak

 

[Ruined]

Sorry to hear that man. I really advise you take the consumer protection steps I outlined in the post below before you give up for your own good and also the good of other consumers with this issue:

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=18290.msg340286#msg340286

At least then you know you gave it your best shot and perhaps helped out others in the process.

 

[mshaw]

Sorry to hear that man. I really advise you take the consumer protection steps I outlined in the post below before you give up for your own good and also the good of other consumers with this issue:

http://www.canonrumors.com/forum/index.php?topic=18290.msg340286#msg340286

At least then you know you gave it your best shot and perhaps helped out others in the process.

I will have to head down that road. No other options left at this point. I just never thought I with have this sort of issue with Canon, but it is what it is.

I look like a crazy person on the initial youtube video image. Hope it's just my computer that stretches the image out like that - if not I apologize to everyone haha!

 

[Invertalon]

Sucks on the packing job. I never send any gear in with the original boxes and put like 6" of thick bubble wrap around each item. If multiple items, each is done seprately and taped together in a big mass... Then put in a box with plenty of peanuts, packing paper, etc... I figure this cushions any shock better than the box it comes with.

Canon NJ has always returned each item back just as good... Usually plenty of thick bubble wrap, tightly packed. If multiple items, they usually put them in their own boxes.

 

[mshaw]

Just got the below e-mail from Canon. They said they wanted to see the lens one last time to let an 'Engineer' take a look at it. Crossing my fingers on this one. Sent it back to Canon today - 12/28/13 - will keep you all updated.


_____
Good Afternoon Mr. Shaw,

Thank you for contacting Canon regarding your concerns with your EF 24-70 lens. Your information was escalated to me for review and resolution. I regret to hear that the lens is not working as expected. In an effort to address and resolve your concerns regarding this matter, I would like opportunity to speak with you directly at your earliest convenience.

Can you please contact me at the telephone number below, Monday - Friday, 8am to 4pm EST. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely,
---

Executive Response Representative
Canon Customer Relations
[email protected]
866-886-1901 ext. ---