Canon 15-85mm: Something loose or is this normal?

SimonH

SimonH

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Have recently purchased a used (excellent condition) Canon 15-85mm lens from MPB. Came a couple of days ago but other than a cursory look to check visual condition didn't put it on camera until today as have been waiting on a new camera body which came yesterday. I've noticed that when tilting the lend gently back and forth there's a very soft "clunking" noise and sense of minor movement from within the lens (it's definitely not the focus ring or lens hood).
I've just taken a couple of shots with it and they've (apparently) come out perfectly.

Is this a normal trait of this (or indeed other) lens - I have a Canon 50mm, Sigma 70-300mm and Tamron 18-270mm and none of them do this, but I suspect from the weight of this lens that there's more glass in it than the others!

Or is it a sign that there's something loose inside that shouldn't be loose. I've contacted MPB about this and awaiting contact back, but I'd appreciate anyone's thought's or specifically experience if you have the same lens

Thanks
 
Wandering star said:
I'm not a canon user but I suspect what your hearing is the I.S mechanism moving about. Nowt to worry about.
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Thanks... I can't see anything rattling about and a quick Google showed a suggestion that it might be something like that, but I'd rather be safe than sorry and ask from people that know better than me ;) (y)
 
On my 15-85, which I've had since new in 2011, the front ring has a tendency to come loose which causes a bit of a rattle. BUT, what you're describing is the sound of the the zoom tubes rattling in the lens's body. There are 2 and if you hold the back of the lens in one hand and, whilst zoomed out, gently manipulate the front element you should feel some discernible play in the zoom mechanism. Well, that's what mine's like. Doesn't seem to cause any issue, image quality is fine.

Edit: But there is something inside which moves around too.
 
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checkmate91 said:
On my 15-85, which I've had since new in 2011, the front ring has a tendency to come loose which causes a bit of a rattle. BUT, what you're describing is the sound of the the zoom tubes rattling in the lens's body. There are 2 and if you hold the back of the lens in one hand and, whilst zoomed out, gently manipulate the front element you should feel some discernible play in the zoom mechanism. Well, that's what mine's like. Doesn't seem to cause any issue, image quality is fine.

Edit: But there is something inside which moves around too.
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Thanks - its somewhat reassuring that it's apparently not unusual. It's hard to be exact, but it does feel as though it's at the front end of the lens, but as I say, I can't see anything obvious or any discernible movement of anything.
 
My 15-85 has the same play in the tubes, it's worked perfectly since I bought my 7D when they first came out. It's a cracking good lens
 
artyman said:
My 15-85 has the same play in the tubes, it's worked perfectly since I bought my 7D when they first came out. It's a cracking good lens
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Thanks - the couple of shots I’ve taken so far today (in between incessant rain) suggest it’s really a very decent lens, so the reassurance from all of you is very comforting! Thanks again.
 
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