topic Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm in EF & RF Lenses

Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Chancemahony — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:30:29 GMT

I bought a Cannon 70-200 mm 2.8 L USM lens and it was just delivered. The camera I'm using is a Cannon EOS Rebel T5. I used the lense for the first time and it cannot zoom. when i turn the zoom ring all it controls is the focus the zoom does not change. Im unsure if the lense is locked or some setting is messing it up, or if the lense has a problem or I just may have bought the wrong lense. Can anyone help me

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Tronhard — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:40:25 GMT

Hi Chance:

Under normal circumstances, the 70-200 should zoom fine with your camera.

Just to make sure - this lens does not extend when being zoomed, so the only way you will know is to look through the viewfinder and you will see the result as the view magnifies. Is it the case that you can see no zooming effect when you try to do so?

Where did you source the 70-200 from?

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Chancemahony — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 17:46:57 GMT

When I look through the veiwfinder I don’t notice any zoom difference. When I take a photo at different zoom ranges I don’t see any difference.

I have noticed when I use the auto focus the dial that shows my zoom automatically changes not sure if that is causing any problems

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

kvbarkley — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:12:49 GMT

Are you sure you are turning the right ring? The zoom ring is closest to the camera:

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

kvbarkley — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:14:19 GMT

"auto focus the dial that shows my zoom automatically changes"

That is probably the focus distance, not the zoom.

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Chancemahony — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:18:08 GMT

I only have one ring

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Tronhard — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:24:26 GMT

Can you please post a photograph of your lens? All EF 70-200 lenses look like the picture that @KVBarkely presented.

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Chancemahony — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:28:04 GMT

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

kvbarkley — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:34:53 GMT

That is not a zoom, that is the 200mm F/2.8 prime

https://www.usa.canon.com/support/p/ef-200mm-f-2-8l-ii-usm#idReference%3Dmanuals

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Tronhard — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:39:33 GMT

My colleague Keith is absolutely correct. Did you make the purchase expecting to buy a EF 70-200 lens and, if so, did the product description actually use those exact values? This is, is this an incorrect listing or did you mis-read it?

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Chancemahony — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:44:53 GMT

I believe it was incorrect it says nothing about it being a prime lense

Canon EF 200mm f/2.8 L USM is what it said on the listing

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

kvbarkley — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:48:08 GMT

The zoom would be marked as Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L USM.

with the entire zoom range listed. If it only has one focal length, it's prime.

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Tronhard — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 19:28:12 GMT

That description you quote is accurate for the lens you got. You apparently misread or do not understand how to read the description. Prime lenses will show only one focal range: such as EF 200mm - they do not contain the word Prime as such, the focal range only is the correct descriptor.
Zoom lenses will show a range of focal lengths: EF 70-200mm
Lens information

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

stevet1 — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 01:51:54 GMT

Chancemahony,

I'm sorry, but you did not buy a 70-200 zoom. You bought a lens that only has one focal length - 200mm. That's what Prime means.

Where did you buy it from, and how much did you pay? Perhaps the store has some kind of return policy. Contact their sales Department.

Steve Thomas

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Chancemahony — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 15:48:07 GMT

Bought from eBay from a store in Japan currently going through the return policy they are giving me a full refund I payed 470$ for it

apparently, they thought it was a telephoto lens too

they are saying I have to contact customs because I ordered overseas and im not sure how that will work but ill try and figure it out

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

wq9nsc — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 17:03:33 GMT

It is a telephoto lens (that refers to focal length) but not a "zoom" lens which would allow you to vary the focal length of the lens. The ebay description sounds like it was correct for this lens so it is good that they are taking it back.

Even the earliest non-IS version of the 70-200 f2.8 is going to be significantly more than what you paid for this lens if it is in any kind of decent working condition. The 70-200 f4 is significantly less expensive and you may find a decent one in the price range you paid for the 200 f2.8 prime.

If you need a versatile lens, the 70-200 f2.8 is one of the best choices available. I still have the non-IS EF 70-200 f2.8 I bought in 2005 in addition to my current IS III version of this lens and both produce beautiful images. The EF 200 f2.8 prime is probably a very sharp lens but if you need a zoom lens then it isn't the one for you. I have the EF 200 f2 version which is a great piece of glass.

Rodger

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

Tronhard — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 18:25:12 GMT

Given you show $ as a suffix, are you in Europe? If so, you might look on a site like MPB.com which sells good used gear and it comes with a warranty. If you are in the US, then KEH.com would be the alternative.

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

stevet1 — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 19:22:51 GMT

Chancemahony,

Are you committed to the f/2.8 aperture?

If you're not, a 55-250 lens might be a nice alternative. New ones at B&H are running about $300 now.

Steve Thomas

Re: Zoom not working on 70-200 mm

MikeSowsun — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 22:32:34 GMT

Why not just keep it?

The lens you received is a very good lens, with very sharp optics. The seller described it correctly. It is not a “zoom” lens and you really should not ask for a refund. Keep in mind it is also smaller and lighter than a 70-200mm f/2.8

If you were to buy a 70-200 lens, the images would look exactly the same at 200mm and would not be any more “zoomed” in.