Hi Everyone,

Just a quick question.

I've just bought the stunning 100mm IS L Macro and I'm amazed at the sharpness of this beast, incredible!

But I've noticed that if you hold it upright and GENTLY shake it, there is a rattle coming from it. Does anyone else who has this lens have the same thing? I think it might be the focussing or IS group. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and I don't shake every lens I get, I just noticed it by chance.

Thanks!

I'd just like to add my other 2 IS lenses aren't anywhere near as noticable.

I think it is the IS.

Thanks Mike.

But can anyone who actually has the lens confirm this for me?

Yes, there is a little rattle in my, sounds like the IS mechanism. Mine gives excellent pictures, so I don't think it's anything to worry about.

Jo

Yes, it is normal as IS is working. both my 100L and 70-200/4LIS has the rattling sound. More pronouced in the 70-200, 100L is quieter.

Yes, it's the IS mechanism. You will notice that it stops when the lens is mounted an powered up (the IS mechanism will lock in place.)

Thanks everyone!

It just seemed a little pronounced compared to my others, but that's put my mind at rest. The images it produces are stunning! Dare I say it, on par or better than a 135mm F2 L I owned?

Thanks again

I agree. Looking through my shots from my old 135L, the 100L looks to be superior to my eye. (though it's splitting hairs)

Sir_Loin wrote:
Thanks Mike.

But can anyone who actually has the lens confirm this for me?

I have the lens.

I think the rattle is the IS.

Sir_Loin wrote:
Thanks Mike.

But can anyone who actually has the lens confirm this for me?

Yes.

I asked this question when I got mine. It appears to be normal.

Rattle? I'd send it in...none of my lenses rattle...that is not normal. If you are talking about the IS or the AF...none of that should rattle. It makes noise when working but no sound otherwise, even when moving the lens about.

I guess Canon could have designed a lens that rattles but seems very odd that this would be normal.

Well, it is normal. Both my IS lenses (70-200f /4L IS and 100 f/2.8L IS Macro) have a slight rattle if you shake the lens while it's not mounted to a camera. Mount them to a camera with power, and the IS element will lock into place.

Jman13 wrote:
Well, it is normal. Both my IS lenses (70-200f /4L IS and 100 f/2.8L IS Macro) have a slight rattle if you shake the lens while it's not mounted to a camera. Mount them to a camera with power, and the IS element will lock into place.

I have a 400 2.8 IS, a 300 2.8 IS, a 70-200 2.8 IS presently and have had other IS L glass over the years. None of them rattle.

OK, I shook my lenses...I stand corrected, partly. The 70-200 2.8 IS makes a noise, one could call it a rattle. The 300 2.8 IS and the 400 2.8 IS make no noise at all. I don't have any other IS glass at the moment to shake.

As the OP, I'd just like to say that the rattle coming from my 100mm Macro f2.8 L IS is slightly more pronounced than my other lenses, due to, I believe the new Hybrid IS it has to compensate for shift movement. i.e. up and down lateral movement.

If I hold the lens horizontal and I gently shake it from side to side there's a slight rattle. Vertically it's slightly more prounounced. If I shake it front to back there is no rattle. I also think it is a common trait in this new lens as I've seen other people mention it as well. It works flawlessly so I'm not worried about it now.

My other lenses that have IS (24-105mm and 300mm f4) also rattle very slightly so in my humble opinion it's all by design.

Cheers!

EDIT: I'd just like to confirm what Jman13 said. When the lens is on the body and IS is engaged, that rattling stops and all you can hear is the whirring of the mechanism

Mine has more of a "rattle" sound than my other IS lenses. Its a minor distraction.

Just got mine yesterday. It did seem to rattle a bit when pointed downward and shaken. I'm just going to try not to do that anymore

the 100 L macro does have some rattle. put on a camera and it goes away.