Squeaky USM

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Here's an interesting problem:

My 70-200 F4L USM has developed a "squeak". It only occurs when using AF, from infinity to close focus. The squeak does not occur when using manual focus, or FTM. It also goes away after a while...seems to only happen when the lens is used from "cold".

Has anyone else had this with a USM lens? Is it something that will work itself out, or should I get this fixed before my warranty runs out, assuming Canon UK will honour the international warranty on the lens (it was bought in UK)?

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002

Answers

My 50 f1.4 USM had this problem. I noticed a squeak during AF a few times when it was still fairly new (< 2 months). The squeaking sounded like something was loose and rubbing, or not connected properly, but it still worked fine. I did not associate the problem with cool tempratures, but it did seem to happen only when I hadn't used the lens for at least a day, and would go away after some use. My frequency of use has not really changed and I haven't noticed the problem in several months - still works fine. I didn't think lenses needed 'breaking in', but it seems like that's what happened with my 50.

-- Derrick Morin (dmorin@oasisol.com), March 14, 2002.

The problem is well known with the 50, as it is the only lens to feature micro-usm with an FTM mechanism. My question is more specificially (and I should have said) about Ring-USM.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Isaac,

I had the same problem with a 100-300 4.5-5.6 USM. It only happened in the cold as well.

-- Roger Shrader (rashrader@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.


And? Did you get it fixed? Did you leave it?

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Sorry about that, Isaac. I meant to finish the message but got swept away by something.

No, I did not get the lens serviced; I traded it in toward a 70-200 f2.8.

I contacted Canon, and they said bring it in for service. I am assuming that they would say the same to you.

-- Roger Shrader (rashrader@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.



I have the same lens but no squeak or other sounds from the motor. However, the drive train is louder than any other Ring-USM I have owned (it's still pretty soft). I can hear a pianissimo "rolling" sound as the elements move along the drive train.

-- Puppy Face (doggieface@aol.com), March 14, 2002.

I get the rolling sound too. This is a further sound in addition...I think I'll get it checked out if Canon will honour the warranty.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), March 15, 2002.

Isaac

I followed up on your answer to me about my 70-200 f4L being clunky by taking it to my nearest Canon Service Centre at Elstree near London for a second opinon. I have a European Canon warranty on my lens as I bought it in Germany, and they honoured the warranty when checking my lens over. BTW they said that there was nothing wrong with the lens clunking, and that it is likely to be the helicoid gearing linked to the zoom ring.

Canon will always honour an international Canon warranty as far as I am aware. The only warranties they don't seem to want to honour are country specific ones if different from the country you are in.

If your warranty is current get it checked out by your nearest Canon Service Centre as the last thing you want is for a moving part that has lost its lubrication getting seized up.

Have a look at www.canon.co.uk to look up your nearest service centre. You'll find a PDF map on there with all the locations.

If you take it or post it to the Elstree Canon Service Centre I found that the Service Manager (Mr Zahman) there was very, very helpful. Give him a call if you have a technical question, and he will get one of his technicians to help you out. Call him on 0870 241 2161.

Hope this helps.

Sam

-- canonlover (canoneosd60@aol.com), March 15, 2002.


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