Problems with IS?

mrbez

mrbez

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Hi Guys,

Just received my Canon 17-55 IS, everything looks fine.

However, when I turn the IS on, and half press the shutter, it makes a noise different to what I have heard before.

Usually I hear a whirring noise, which I know is normal, but this makes a little scratch, and then the whirring noise, and then when that stops, a little scratch again.

Is this something that I should be worried about?

Regards,

Craig.
 
Id be on the phone to Harrisons mate and see what they have to say, at least you have a 12 month warranty. I cant remember my 17-55 ever making weird noises when i had one.
 
I will give them a call mate.

The lens seems to be fine, although I wasn't happy with the way it had been packaged.

I could hear it moving around when I took it off the post man.
 
Id also check the focusing then, when i sold mine i had absolutely zero problems when i had it. When i sent it RMSD the new owner could not get it to AF accuately at all and as it was under warranty it was sent to Lehmanns for re-calibration and came back spot on.

Thats a pity about the packaging as i thought Harrisons were a well respected outfit.
 
How can I check the focusing?

When I took it out of the package the IS was turned off, which is making me think that they knew about this and are trying to hide it? Or is that just me thinking the worse?
 
Just take a few pictures with it, you can do the staggered cereal box/batteries check etc but just take some pics and make sure your happy.
 
I hope you don't have problems.
I have 4 IS lenses,
The 100-400 L, second hand
The 17-55 second hand
And the 28-135 and 70-300 from new.

The three non-IS lenses, all make a small sound, I suppose, a bit like a scratch when I start the IS on them. The 100-400 does not make this sound (BTW. I have the IS set to be manual on, not at the same time as the focus, so I can tell the difference in sound).

These are just audible from behind the camera, quite audible if I have my ear right next to the lens when starting the OS.

On the 28-135, I find (or at least think) that the time taken for the IS to stabilise could be why focusing is sometimes off. At least, now that I start IS prior to starting focus, shots seem a lot sharper.
 
Well you're right to be cautious but I suspect it's probably OK. Set the camera on a tripod but hold it as you wouild normally and try to hold the camera as steady as you can. You'll see very slight dithering of the image no matter hard you try to keep it still. When you hear and feel the IS kick in you should see the image go rock steady in the viewfinder.
 
Harrisons have offered to have it collected for them to take a look at it.

This would obviously leave me without the lens, but surely I should do this? Or, should I just ask for a refund?

I am happy with the lens, it is just making me wonder with the little scratch it is making, as the one I hired two weeks ago didn't make this noise.
 
MrCraigBerry said:
Harrisons have offered to have it collected for them to take a look at it.

This would obviously leave me without the lens, but surely I should do this? Or, should I just ask for a refund?

I am happy with the lens, it is just making me wonder with the little scratch it is making, as the one I hired two weeks ago didn't make this noise.
Click to expand...

I'd send it back then if they have offered to collect and get it checked. For peace of mind if nothing else.

Hope you get it sorted
 
If they are offering to look at it, I think this is good service. Diagnosing it without seeing/hearing is nigh-on impossible, so I think you should take them up on this offer.
(obviously it leaves you without a lens to play with, but you will have the peace of mind for the future)
 
My 70-200mm F4L makes this noise. My 17-85mm also made this noise while I had it.
Neither my 300mm F4L or my 100-400mm (when I had it) made such a noise - although they are older design IS systems.

It's probably fine...
 
I am guessing it will be, but I think I would rather have it checked out anyway?

You have never had any problems with your lenses Richard?
 
My worry would be that it may be not quite right, but that the vendor doesn't know that. If it were mine, I'd want it sent back to Canon for a once over...
 
Send it back mate, seems you've had a few problems recently. Don't add to them.
Both of my IS L lenses make noises but they are like a quiet whirring noise.

Don't take chances and as it's free give it a go.
 
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