Stiffness in a lens - help appreciated!

[kittylitter]

Hi all

I purchased a Canon EF 35-70mm 1:3.5-4.5 from the auction site - I'm a newb and managed to pick it up pretty cheaply so it seemed like a good idea.

Having received it today I have noticed that the focus ring (I think that's what it's called, apologies if I'm wrong!!) moves really well between the 35-50 but if I want it to go to 70 then it's really stiff and takes some twisting to move.

What I'd like some advice on is whether or not this is a big problem with the lens - I've obviously tried a few test shots and it seems to auto-focus ok even when I manage to get it to 70mm. It appears in otherwise good condition.

Is it going to become an issue that I have to move it with that degree of force, i.e. should I be sending it back as unfit as it was sold in good condition or am I likely to be ok and probably loosen it a bit with use?? Is there anything I should be looking or listening for to know it's definitely a duffer??

Any help/advice/thoughts appreciated

 

[trinitronfan]

Send it back. It's an old lens and the stiff zoom is a sign that the lens has been subjected to an mpact at some time.
That lens dates to the late 1980s and things have moved on since those days. Zooms are optically much better these days.
I had one of those about 20 years ago, it came with my canon EOS 650, the first Canon EOS model.

 

[kittylitter]

Thanks for the advice - I thought it might be broken - think that's the end of my ebay purchasing of lenses as soon as its begun!!