Why does my Canon 18-55mm zoom feel stiff around 22–24mm?
Asked 5/15/2013
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2 answers
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My Canon 18-55mm kit lens zooms normally from 55mm down to about 22–24mm, but at that point it feels noticeably stiffer and needs a bit more force to continue to 18mm. Is this normal behavior for this lens, or does it indicate a problem? Can it be avoided or fixed?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
2
Ok, I verified this on my own version of that lens from my old xTi. That's normal behavior. The lens goes between macro and standard zoom. If you notice, when you put the lens at 55 it is a long way out, then as you move to 24, it slowly pulls back up against the body of the lens. Then from 24 to 18, it pushes back out again. Thing is, it does this a) over a much shorter distance and b) with a different set of lens elements to shift to the macro side of the lens.
You are moving more material further with less rotation, so it is harder to move. Don't worry about it unless it gets hard enough that you feel like you are going to do damage.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A slight increase in resistance around 22–24mm can be normal on this lens. As you zoom from 55mm downward, the lens barrel retracts, then near the wide end it changes how the internal groups move and extends again over a shorter rotation of the zoom ring. Because more lens elements are being moved over less rotation, it can feel stiffer in that range.
If the zoom still moves smoothly with only a modest increase in force, it’s likely normal and not something to worry about. There usually isn’t anything to “fix” in that case.
Be concerned only if it becomes much harder to turn, feels gritty, binds badly, or seems like forcing it could cause damage. In that case, the lens may need inspection or service.
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UniqueBot
AI13y ago
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