I notice that it is a little bit heavy and rough when I zoom my 17-55mm Nikon. And it makes a noise, so it's not smooth and quiet when zooming. Is it normal? I know it's a heavy lens with heavy glass to move but I don't think it should feel like that. Anybody has the same experience?
I have mine since 2006 and it's still tight to zoom. NO noises tho. Maybe you should have it looked.
I don't really mind, i would if it where too loose tho.
The "sound" is not loud at all. May be it's just my feeling because I feel the roughness. Also, the tightness is not even. It's heavier or tighter from 17mm to 20mm or from 55mm to 45mm. Pretty smooth in the middle. One other thing, it's heavier when the lens is facing down and very light when the lens is facing up.
i would believe the "rough" feeling is normal, as I get that from mine too, even after 2 years plus of usage.
When you are pointing the lens towards the ground and zooming out, it will be much lighter, as you have Mr Gravity helping you to extend the lens out of the barrel. Logically it will be heavier zooming out as you gotta push that heavy chunk of glass out against gravity...
I am glad to know that because I really love that lens. So I don't need to send it out for service for now. The pictures it takes are great. 24-70, must wait until I can afford D700
Andre, you are very lucky. I still don't think that the lens is supposed to be like that but knowing that some people have similar problem, the problem may be common. I'm still considering having it checked, but may be not immediately, or should I?
Nov 12, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
fsiagian wrote:
Andre, you are very lucky. I still don't think that the lens is supposed to be like that but knowing that some people have similar problem, the problem may be common. I'm still considering having it checked, but may be not immediately, or should I?
Apparently so on the luck. As for having yours checked, if it is making grinding noises, I would have it check as that implies things rubbing and wearing.
I hear a very slight metal against metal noise on mine. Certainly nothing to obsess over. I use lenses until they fall apart. If you hadn't mentioned it I wouldn't have noticed. If yours is making noise loud enough to scare birds away, then you might consider sending it in.
I agree Donald. I am comparing it with my Tokina 50-135mm which is very smooth Kent, I'm just hoping that by not sending it in, I'm not accelerating the "fall apart" time. Unfortunately, there is no authorized nikon service center in ME, so I will need to send it in and cannot just visit them and ask whether there is something that must be fixed. May be the closest is in MA or NY. I need to check it out.
Although I've never had a new 17-55, after much Googling, I'm somewhat sure that they come from the factory this way! From what I've read, the majority of people who chime in on these threads have the same issue with their 17-55 (mine certainly does). Perhaps it was designed that way to eliminate zoom creep.
Andre, did you buy your 17-55 new? If so, was the zoom ring smooth when new?
Cheeba, is the roughness that I experience the same as what you call zoom creep? To be honest, I'm happy as others because the IQ is still great. But I don't want to find out later that I should have sent it for service.
Thanks,
Ferdi
Nov 12, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
cheeba wrote:
Although I've never had a new 17-55, after much Googling, I'm somewhat sure that they come from the factory this way! From what I've read, the majority of people who chime in on these threads have the same issue with their 17-55 (mine certainly does). Perhaps it was designed that way to eliminate zoom creep.
Andre, did you buy your 17-55 new? If so, was the zoom ring smooth when new?
Yes and yes. Now you have me currious to pay more close attention to my copy when I get home tonight. Maybe I'm just being a brute and not noticing what is there.
Ok, I checked mine and noticed that it is a bit tight on both ends of the zoom range but is smooth between 28 throgh 45! I never noticed this until now. It is only notieable if I zoom quickly though.
Just checked mine and noticed a very slight noise (in a quiet room with my ear next to the lens) which I have never noticed before. Almost imperceptable difference in zooming effort at the wide and long ends as opposed to the middle. Absoluteley no zoom creep at all. And a very fine, sharp lens that just about stays on my camera.
Kim
Western burbs of Chicago
Kent, I'm just hoping that by not sending it in, I'm not accelerating the "fall apart" time. Unfortunately, there is no authorized nikon service center in ME, so I will need to send it in and cannot just visit them and ask whether there is something that must be fixed. May be the closest is in MA or NY. I need to check it out.