I just got the 24-105L as part of the 5DII kit and noticed the IS mechanism doesn't seem as strong (feeling the gyro mechanism) as the 70-300 I once borrowed. I do detect a slight improvement in stabilization when looking through the viewfinder, but definitely not as noticeable as the 70-300 which was louder as well. In fact, I really do not hear the gyros whirring in the 24-105. You could really tell when the IS kicked in with that lens, not as much with the 24-105 I have. Is that normal?
I can only hear the IS when I put my ear to the lens. I always thought that this lens shows the least effect in the viewfinder of any Canon IS I've used. Still, this is my wide lens, and IS at 24-35 mm is not so important for me personally...YMMV, etc.
Jerry
Of all the IS lenses I've used the 24-105 seems almost to not exist in there. But it does give me about 3 stops improvement so it is working.
When you say compared to the 70-300 , do you mean the new L , the DO or the 70-300IS? I had the IS and of all the IS lenses I've tried that was by far the most noticeable IS . It mad a real jump on start up with a noticeable click at the start and finish. Also while in use it could be heard whirling away .
Phocus wrote:
I just got the 24-105L as part of the 5DII kit and noticed the IS mechanism doesn't seem as strong (feeling the gyro mechanism) as the 70-300 I once borrowed. I do detect a slight improvement in stabilization when looking through the viewfinder, but definitely not as noticeable as the 70-300 which was louder as well. In fact, I really do not hear the gyros whirring in the 24-105. You could really tell when the IS kicked in with that lens, not as much with the 24-105 I have. Is that normal?
Yes, bigger tele lenses need to counter more motion than a smaller and wider optic, so they tend to have larger IS units that need to move larger interior elements. I can barely tell IS is working in my 24-105L or 17-55IS compared to my 70-200 4L IS but the 2-3 stops of extra hand hold speeds are all that count.
