Help, Odd Sound With New Canon EFS 17-85mm Lens

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Peter Loew

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Hi all,

I just ordered the EF-S 17-85mm lens from Amazon for my EOS 450D.

However I notice that when the IS is turned on, the lens makes a weird 'mechanical noise' both when pressing the shutter down and about 2 seconds after releasing the shutter; it's a bit like a short grinding noise. I have used this lens on the same camera before (borrowed it from a friend) and did not notice the noise.

Can anybody offer advice as to what it going on; should I send back to Amazon for a replacement?

Thanks in advance!

P
 
I've got the 18-55 IS and my kids complain about it making a loud whining noise, luckily I'm an old git and can't hear it :)
 
Thanks but that doesn't really help :)

I read in the manual that came with the lens that the IS does indeed operate in the said times, once the shutter is pressed and 2 secs after it is released, however it says nothing about this mechanical sound that occurs.

Could someone with the same lens try this out and let us know the results perhaps? Any advice would be welcome, these lenses are not cheap!

P
 
Peter Loew said:
Thanks but that doesn't really help :)

I read in the manual that came with the lens that the IS does indeed operate in the said times, once the shutter is pressed and 2 secs after it is released, however it says nothing about this mechanical sound that occurs.

Could someone with the same lens try this out and let us know the results perhaps? Any advice would be welcome, these lenses are not cheap!

P
Click to expand...
My IS lens makes this noise too, I would just accept it as the IS noise.
 
Yeah IS does make a little grinding whirring noise, was IS definitely turned on last time you used it (when you heard no noise).
 
Kerioak said:
I thought my 70-200 IS was broken as well when I first got it due to the whirring noise but now I do not notice it. I think it is usual for IS lenses
Click to expand...

Hmm just tried the standard IS lens that came with the camera and it does not have this 'buzz sound'.

By whirling noise do you mean when you put your ear close to the lens and press the shutter down? I also hear a type of 'whirling' when I do this... like a small motor is turning or something..
 
Jimmy_Lemon said:
Yeah IS does make a little grinding whirring noise, was IS definitely turned on last time you used it (when you heard no noise).
Click to expand...

Yes I went on a 6 week trip and had IS turned on 99% of the time. I really did not notice this noise.

To be clear, there are two noises:

  1. 1) When the shutter is pressed, the little 'buzz' (mechanical noise) occurs and a type of rotary (whirling noise?) starts until the shutter is released and...
  2. 2) The little buzz (mechanical noise) occurs again and the rotary / whirling noise stops. I can barely notice the rotary / whirling noise and can only hear it when I put my ear to the lens during this process. Is this the whirling noise you guys are referring to?

P
 
Just to let you guys and anyone else browsing through here know, that I called Canon and they said the aforementioned sound is normal and it's just the sound of the IS working. There is nothing wrong or defective with the lens.

Consequently I ordered a replacement lens from Amazon to be sure and sure enough, it makes the same sound.

However this does not happen with all IS lenses, my kit lens is virtually silent. But the IS function I am told is tuned different from lens to lens so different lenses might make different sounds. C'est la vie!

P
 
The IS on my 300mm f/4 makes some strange noises at times, it almost sounds like it's steam powered :lol:
 
pxl8 said:
The IS on my 300mm f/4 makes some strange noises at times, it almost sounds like it's steam powered :lol:
Click to expand...


must save having to use a soft focus filter then or is it just an excuse for an oof pic:)
 
Oh no, super sharp every time - it just has to pass wind every now and then ;)
 
Having just bought a Canon 300mm f/4 IS, I find that IS is noisier than Nikon VR, I can certainly hear it doing its thang....
 
Have to say that my 300/2.8 IS and 70-200/2.8 IS make slightly different "noises", but the effect is the same, the IS is working away on your behalf :thumbs:
 
Peter Loew said:
Hmm just tried the standard IS lens that came with the camera and it does not have this 'buzz sound'.

By whirling noise do you mean when you put your ear close to the lens and press the shutter down? I also hear a type of 'whirling' when I do this... like a small motor is turning or something..
Click to expand...


That would be the gyros running, I presume.
 
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