Zoom Lens Creep - Already?

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Today for the first time I used my new EF 100-300mm f/4.5-5.6 USM lens at the local zoo. Only after a few hours I noticed the lens zoomed down as I walked with it hung from my shoulder. I have heard about lens creep but thought it only happened as lenses became old. Is this common for this model or did I get a lemon sample? Thank you.

-- Charles Barbato (ChasBarb1@msn.com), October 11, 1999

Answers

Charles: I don't think you have a lemon, and there does seem to be some unit-to-unit variation in their tendency for the zoom to creep or move, but even the most "snug" or tight samples will probably slip when vertically dangled and jostled about from a neck strap. The two samples I've used would slip under such conditions, but neither would slip if I simply held the lens vertically, without jarring it, but if I walked with either sample as you've described, both would slip to some extent, and I don't think this is unreasonable for a modestly priced USM lens. Forget about it, and concentrate on learning to achieve the sharp images it is quite capable of producing with good technique.

-- kurt heintzelman (heintzelman.1@osu.edu), October 12, 1999.

This is common, don't worry about it.

-- Harvey Yau (hayau@ic.sunysb.edu), November 04, 1999.

Charles,

It is quite common and nothing is wrong with your lens.

Subbu

-- Subbu Kalinathabotla (subbu.kalinathabotla@cellone-sf.com), November 12, 1999.


Agreed it is normal, but it can be a pain sometimes. Does anyone have a decent workaround to prevent this. Something that doesn't affect usability or mar the lens body?

-- Keith Van Hulle (keithvh@microsoft.com), November 29, 1999.

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