Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1:2.8 L IS USM **SOUNDS**

[TSB]

Hello everybody!
So I recently bought my first macro L IS lens (second hand).

I noticed the lens is quite noisy when in use, so I'm just wondering if this is normal.

when used on a EOS 750D, the stabilisation noise is present from half pressing the shutter release button.
when used on an EOS R8, the stabilization noise is present all the time, as soon as the camera is turned on.

I found it quite weird, but it may well be completely normal. I have nothing else to compare it to.

link to videos which portray the sounds coming out of my lens:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SdEOuarIZ7ULQBIfNUkrxui5I3LFYGSU/view?usp=sharing

[normadel]

"Quite noisy" should not exist with the lens. You have a defective one. Where'd you get it? Can you return it?

[TSB]

I would definitely say it is noisy. Even in a busy room with background noise, it can still be heard.

I ordered it from MPB. [Commercial link removed per community guidelines.]
From my understanding, they are quite reputable, so I have now sent them an email to see what they say. I just needed confirmation that these sounds are not "normal" before I went back to them. 

I will update with the resolution in due course!

[ebiggs1]

All AF lenses that have IS make some noise. The question is how much is reasonable.

[TSB]

From the google drive videos I have attached, would you say it is reasonable?

[rs-eos]

It's difficult to say.  In the first video, the overall sound is very quiet.  In the second (of the closeup), it is loud, however, you'd ultimately need to have some kind of baseline for comparisson.  e.g. is it loud due to your audio settings set such that alot of amplication was done?  And/or from the microphone being very close to the lens?

I'm assuming you did purchase from the used/trade site with acronym MPB.  They are not on the authorized Canon reseller list (refer to the Where to Buy page).  They appear to have some kind of warranty and refunds I think would need to happen within 14 days.  So you at least have some protection there.   Having said that, since this is a used lens, no idea if the listing had 100% solid info to include a truthful history of drops, bangs, etc.

Personally, I would only pick up used Canon gear either directly from Canon (if available as a refurbished item).  Or from authorized Canon resellers where some kind of analysis of the item should have been performed.

[p4pictures]

One thing to add is that the IS runs continuously for lenses used on R-series camera, where it only runs briefly and when the shutter is pressed on DSLRs.

I also have the EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens and it is more noticeably noisy on an R-series camera than on a DSLR. Though it does have a special hybrid IS unit that is better suited to correcting shift movement while most other lenses with IS are more about correcting angular movements. The EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro was the first lens in Canon's lineup with this kind of correction, and it is also in the EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM.

[normadel]

MPB is an excellent used equipment dealer. I have bought and sold with them. Another one i use is Roberts Camera/UsedPhotoPro. A used dealer doesn't need to be Canon-authorized. Used sales has nothing to do with being a new camera dealer.

[ebiggs1]

" The question is how much is reasonable."

For the reason Ricky explained..."It's difficult to say.  In the first video, the overall sound is very quiet.  In the second (of the closeup), it is loud, however, you'd ultimately need to have some kind of baseline for comparisson.", so it is nearly impossible for us to make that call. Like I said they all make some noise and some perhaps more than others. The question becomes is it a normal noise?

[TSB · Accepted solution]

I managed to get in touch with MPB and showed them the evidence.

Just based on the videos they did admit that the sounds was louder than the norm. They managed to source another preowned lens and sent it to me as soon as they could.

From comparison, the replacement lens is much much quieter. The sounds are pretty much the same but without the clicking.  It is much more subtle. I did request for them to get in touch with me if they figure out what it is. 

In conclusion, if it doesn’t sound “reasonable”, then it probably isn’t right!

Thanks to all who helped in this process!