Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

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Archive 2011 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

omarlyn
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p.1 #1 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

I'm considering a few lens options of the Push/Pull Zoom type and I have a question for those who are using such a lens. I have never used a push/pull zoom…after 20 years of using rotating zoom rings, the thought of a push/pull seems so counter-intuitive to me. Is there any real difficulty in using push/pull zooms over rotating zoom rings or does it quickly become second nature?

Omar

Dec 08, 2011 at 02:07 AM

runamuck
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p.1 #2 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Occasionally I get out my series E 70-210, and I adapt to the push-pull rather quickly.

Dec 08, 2011 at 02:15 AM

Tenn.Jer
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p.1 #3 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

The awkwardness passes quickly for me; it helps if the tension ring (on the Canon 100-400) is set just right - loose enough to be quick & easy, tight enough to be smooth...

Jerry

Dec 08, 2011 at 02:38 AM

JimboCin
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p.1 #4 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

The Canon 100-400 is the only Canon-mount lens that I know of that is push-pull.

Are there others?

Dec 08, 2011 at 03:10 AM

robstein
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p.1 #5 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

JimboCin wrote:
The Canon 100-400 is the only Canon-mount lens that I know of that is push-pull.

Are there others?
Yeah, I started with an EF 35-105 push/pull and LOVED it. To this day when I bolt it on my camera it feels so natural (part of that is I used only that lens for years and traveled a lot with it).

Dec 08, 2011 at 04:41 AM

Imagemaster
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p.1 #6 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Push/pull is superior to twist-turn, in that you introduce no turning motion to the camera, and you can push/pull from 100-400mm faster than you can on any twist/turn lens with that range.

It is as simple as using one of those push/pull telescopes.

Dec 08, 2011 at 04:57 AM

norrad
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p.1 #7 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

There are also Canon 100-300 f5.6 and 70-210 f4 EF push/pull zooms.

In regards to the original question I find my 70-210 f4 easier to handle than my 55-250. You can think of it as simplification, move on one axis for zoom and another for focus. As opposed to the twin ring design where you have to remember if the zoom ring is the one closest to the camera or was that the focus ring.......?

Dec 08, 2011 at 04:59 AM

PetKal
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p.1 #8 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Not an issue for me at all because my 100-400 stays at 400mm 99% of all shots with it. Here and there I have to zoom out on the fly, and that is as easily done as eating a square pie.

Dec 08, 2011 at 05:01 AM

dwweiche
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p.1 #9 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

JimboCin wrote:
The Canon 100-400 is the only Canon-mount lens that I know of that is push-pull.

Are there others?

28-300L (and the 35-350L it replaced)

Dec 08, 2011 at 05:27 AM

dwweiche
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p.1 #10 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

I use two similarly weighted lenses, 100-400L and 70-200L f2.8 II.

I don't even think twice about it when using either the push-pull 100-400 or the twist 70-200. It quickly becomes natural.

The 100-400L works well as a push-pull, since if it were a twist zoom and it still extended the same amount, the balance would quickly get thrown off. With push-pull, this is not an issue as your hand moves with the balance point.

Since the 70-200 is an internal zoom lens, shifting balance is a moot point, so a twist zoom is no issue.

When you think about it, the lenses are exactly the way they are for very good reasons, almost like Canon has experience in lens designs

Dec 08, 2011 at 05:33 AM

EB-1
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p.1 #11 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Push-pull movement is good for fast action, but not so good for deliberate framing. Since I use the 100-400 neary 100% handheld for wildlife I actually prefer it. That lens is not the sharpest in the corners so I rarely used it for landscapes, but on the few occasions I did the push-pull movement was annoying

In the old days most 70/80-200/210mm zooms were push-pull as were 35-70s, etc.

EBH

Dec 08, 2011 at 05:50 AM

Ian.Dobinson
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p.1 #12 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

For the push/pull on the 100-400 I think it suits the lens perfectly. And all those that dis. The lens for the push/pull are mad. I had a twisty sig 170-500 a while back and even though the twist wasn't to long you still had to wrap your arm round the lens . The push pull design allows you to just balance the lens in the palm of your hand.

No if the lens stayed a constant length or had a much shorter range then the twist zoom is fine

Dec 08, 2011 at 07:58 AM

stanj
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p.1 #13 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Never had any problems with my 28-300 (and my FD zooms back in the 80s and 90s).

Dec 08, 2011 at 08:46 AM

n0b0
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p.1 #14 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Never had any problem with the 100-400L either. Faster way to zoom than a rotating zoom I reckon.

I suspect the issue or weakness of push/pull zoom had been exaggerated by internet parrots. If you use it with an open mind, it won't be long before it becomes second nature.

Dec 08, 2011 at 02:27 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #15 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

2nd nature, Omar...like opening a bottle of beer one handed.

Dec 08, 2011 at 02:39 PM

Gunzorro
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p.1 #16 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

It's just another tool in your toolbox and you learn its quirks and strengths. I've had a number of older FD push/pull zooms (my first was the old 100-200 with the A-1), and now the 35-350L -- the first in quite a while in the Canon line.

As has been said, it is faster zooming over a wide range. I haven't tried if for video, but I've been disappointed by the jerkiness of some two-ring zooms in video. At least I can adjust the tension in the 35-350. (I don't know about the other modern models, but the 35-350 has outstanding manual focus.)

The only down side is the tendency to a longer, bulkier lens when extended. Still no free lunch!

Dec 08, 2011 at 02:55 PM

Sharona
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p.1 #17 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

+ 10. Love the 100-400, and push pull zooming is not a problem at all!

Trenchmonkey - what are you doing over here, anyway?

Dec 08, 2011 at 02:59 PM

omarlyn
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p.1 #18 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Alrighty then...everyone's replies are very reassuring then that it's not gonna be an issue for me

I'm considering an older 35-350L (or possibly the newer 28-300L IS) so I feel alot better now about getting one.

Omar

Dec 08, 2011 at 03:04 PM

jj_glos
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p.1 #19 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

I've got old FD 70-210 and 28-70 push\pull lenses but I'll be honest I prefer twist zooms. It takes all of a second (if that) to go from 150 to 500 on the Sigma and that's done with a roll of the fingers I don't move my hand at all. The 100-400 just feels a bit odd but I guess it's not a deal breaker, the extra cost was though

Dec 08, 2011 at 03:28 PM

trenchmonkey
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p.1 #20 · Push/Pull Zoom vs Rotating Zoom Ring

Sharona wrote:
+ 10. Love the 100-400, and push pull zooming is not a problem at all!

Trenchmonkey - what are you doing over here, anyway?

35+ years with Canon, I still lurk and offer advice to my peeps.
See my review of the 35-350L...I've had 'em all

Hell, I rocked wildlife with a 100-300 f5.6L back in the film era.

Dec 08, 2011 at 03:39 PM

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