Beginner Lens Creep - How much is 'Normal'.

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LumixNoob

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I bought a used Canon 15-85mm IS and the lens creep between 35mm and 60mm is quite strong. If I'm photographing something low down or high, I have to hold the zoom ring. Is this something to be expected? I obviously haven't seen it before coming from bridge cameras so don't know.
 
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This is not something I see on my gear…
I think, in my case, none should be normal!
 
Duct tape :)

You really shouldn't have any creep, but it sometimes happens.
It's never happened to me though I have several 30 to 40 year old zooms...
 
Yeah, maybe I'll just tape it.

I'm just curious because it came with a 3 month's warranty which is still valid, so I was thinking I should return it. I'm happy with it other than the creep though and it's the only lens I have so don't really want to be without camera while I get a replacement.
 
I'd be tempted to return it.
 
I had a Canon 24-105 which I bought new. Within 3-4 months lens creep started when pointing straight down. I took it back to my shop, and they sent it off to Canon. Lens came back all checked and I was told there was nothing wrong with it. It was "within design parameters". Canon were either happy to see lens creep as a design feature or were not prepared to do anything about it.
I just used a thick band on it when shooting straight down.
 
...admittedly, I've never had a Canon lens :D
 
Doesn't happen to my old Nikon 35-70 f2.8 and they're apparently known for it.

Send it back and demand a refund if you aren't happy with it.

Have you tried googling the lens to see if it's a known issue with that model?
 
It seems like I'll have to live with it. I've taped it for now, but will try a band. I was a bit reluctant to return it tbh. It's really sharp!
 
I have the same problem with the Canon 18-135 EFS lens, I just use a silicone wrist band.
 
GreenNinja67 said:
After a quick google.

1/ Yes, it's known for it

2/ You can get "bands" for it. Presumably to stop the creep.
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^This.

When new, the 15-85 is a bit stiff but loosens up pretty quickly and some creep is common. Not as bad as the older 17-85 though.
 
My 15-85mm does the same thing from about 24mm through to 70mm. It can be irritating at times. A thin rubber band works for mine.
 
GeeJay57 said:
My 15-85mm does the same thing from about 24mm through to 70mm. It can be irritating at times. A thin rubber band works for mine.
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So does that work without turning the manual focus ring with the zoom? I tried a rubber band and it didn't work. It might've been to thick.
 
Yes it does work without moving the focus ring, but maybe I've just found the perfect rubber band... :)

That said, moving the focus ring may move the zoom.

The only other thing I guess is if you want manually focus, is to set the focal length you want and then tape the barrels.
 
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Well this seems to have worked. It's just given the zoom ring some 'bite' without it being to stiff. Will this damage the lens at all? Like I say, it's not so stiff you have to force it...just holds a bit better:

WP_20160211_18_46_37_Pro
 
I'm not sufficiently familiar with the lens construction to know if your tape wrap will cause damage or not. Sorry!
 
It won't do any harm, unless it starts to bind and jam up the mechanism. You should get plenty of warning of that.

As you've discovered, these things vary a bit with wear. I have a 24-105L that must be about eight years old now and well used, but shows no sign of zoom creep. Others have had different experience, over less time. Canon usually fits a zoom lock to lenses that are inclined to creep and if it was my lens I'd get it serviced - I would just find it too annoying. But if you're happy with your fix, and the fact that it seems to be a good sharp copy, well it's your decision but bits of sticky tape won't help it's resale value if that's a concern.
 
Thumbs up for Richard :)

But glue residue is easily removed with meths or isopropyl alcohol (or good vodka).
 
LumixNoob said:
Yeah, maybe I'll just tape it.

I'm just curious because it came with a 3 month's warranty which is still valid, so I was thinking I should return it. I'm happy with it other than the creep though and it's the only lens I have so don't really want to be without camera while I get a replacement.
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+1 from me too - you shouldn't have to put up with a problem like this if there is a way out. Get a refund and look for another one imo.
 
wardy07 said:
+1 from me too - you shouldn't have to put up with a problem like this if there is a way out. Get a refund and look for another one imo.
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After reading up on it and watching a Cameralabs review on Youtube, it appears it's a common problem with the lens. It happens from new.
 
LumixNoob said:
After reading up on it and watching a Cameralabs review on Youtube, it appears it's a common problem with the lens. It happens from new.
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Not a great advert for this lens then, it makes life difficult when aiming downwards.
 
wardy07 said:
Not a great advert for this lens then, it makes life difficult when aiming downwards.
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Yeah, I agree. It appears to make up for it with image quality though, but still - a pain in the arse for certain things.
 
Sometimes you just have to put up with it.
If it's a good copy and you can work around it then it's not an end of the world situation.

When you have more equipment and can be bothered to fix it, then go for it, but till then enjoy your photography :)
 
The tape seems to have done the trick so I'm happy. I just didn't want to feel like I'd been ripped off and ended up with a lemon!
 
I've never really understood why people get so worked up about zoom creep. I'd rather have a lens where it creeps than one that has a sticky feel to the zoom.
I have a nikon 18-200 mk1 that has zoom creep. A mate got the mk2 and they appeared to "fix" it by making the zoom stiffer. Made it horrible to use compared to my lens though :(

Or am the only one that holds the zoom ring when shooting so it makes no difference anyway?
 
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