Can a stiff zoom on a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro be a simple DIY repair?
Asked 6/12/2013
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2 answers
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I’m considering buying a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro (non-HSM) with a zoom problem. The zoom becomes very stiff around the middle of its range when the lens is held horizontally, but the stiffness mostly disappears when the front of the lens is tilted upward. There is no grinding or skipping, just strong resistance.
I’m comfortable with basic mechanical repairs and limited lens disassembly, especially outer parts that don’t affect optical alignment. Before buying it, I’d like to know whether this kind of symptom is likely to be a simple issue such as worn/dry zoom bearings or guides, or whether it more often points to something major like a damaged barrel assembly. Is this the sort of fault that sometimes has a straightforward DIY fix, or is it usually a deeper repair that requires major disassembly and replacement parts?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
2
I recently disassembled a couple of Canon zoom lenses, and I found that this stiffness was caused by a number of issues. The bearing is a simple repair that may or may not require spare parts. However, if the bearings look fine, it could be a bad lens barrel. Lens barrels are much more involved in terms of repair, as the entire part would have to be replaced, and this would mean almost completely disassembling the lens.
Originally by user22047. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user22047
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
It might be repairable, but the symptom doesn’t guarantee a simple DIY fix.
Based on the shared repair experience, zoom stiffness like this can come from more than one cause. A zoom bearing or guide issue may be relatively straightforward to address and might not need parts if the components are only dirty, dry, or slightly out of place. However, if the bearings themselves look fine, the problem could be a damaged or distorted lens barrel.
That matters because a barrel problem is a much bigger job: the barrel assembly would typically need replacement, which usually means nearly complete disassembly of the lens. At that point, it’s no longer a quick outer-layer repair.
So the practical answer is: yes, there is some DIY potential, but the odds are uncertain until you open it up. The fault could be minor, or it could be a barrel issue that is uneconomical or too involved to fix casually. If you buy it, do so assuming the repair may require parts and major teardown, not just lubrication.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
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