Zoom ring not so smooth on new lens...normal?

[Sika]

I just got my Canon 70-200 2.8L in the mail today and, after a few shots, I noticed that the zoom ring is smooth until 130mm or so and then it gets tight but loosens up again right before 200mm.

I could live with it if this is a normal occurance but if it's a sign of something bad, I'd rather exchange it for a different one.

Should I send it back?

[Daniel Bates]

Mine was smooth all the way through (same for all my USM lenses, actually).

[bhardwaj.deepak]

My 17-55 was not smooth in the mid of the range. Give it a few days, and its gonna be fine. Just dont worry, and start using it.

[Daniel W.]

If it's grinding or sticky, that might be an issue worth sending in for. I know my 70-200 isn't "smooth" because of age, and when at extreme up or down angles, given the sheer mass of the glass inside, can require more effort. With my Sigma 24-70, it took a few months and a knock here or there to make it a smoother turn of the ring.

From my experience (with bodies), there is a $200+ fee on any labor / inspection from Canon USA, but that may just be on bodies. Also, the Irvine center has been reported to have a faster turn around than the NJ center.

[toverman]

Keep using it and see if it improves. I've never experienced that.

Some of my consumer-grade Canon USM lenses have the opposite problem: zoom creep where it won't hold a focal length by itself if you point it up or down.