Nikon 24-70mm zoom stiffness in vertical orientation

<p>Hi,<br /> My new 24-70mm which has a 5 yr Nikon USA ESC, bought new from Cameta, has a markedly stiff zoom at 50-70mm especially, and also 24-35mm, but <em>only when</em> held, lens facing up.<br /> I have read all the posts about this problem, and also know that the lens is supposed to have a stiff zoom (from lensrental review), but is this something I need to be overly concerned about? Some people have sent their lens back to Nikon for this, but mine seems fine in the horizontal position which I use 99% of the times. Still its a bit disconcerting, given the reported problems, that Nikon USA continues to sell such an expensive lens without checking properly.<br /> Will it perhaps 'open up' with use? Should I just send it back?<br /> Javid.</p>

<p>Since you just bought the lens, I would exchange it for a new one that works properly.</p>

<p>Mine does the same, it must be caused by the weight of the zooming parts and friction in the cams. By the way, it also happens with the lens facing down.You can feel it as well with some other zooms (17-35). Don't worry about it, make fotos, its a great lens. </p>

<p>The 24-70 f/2.8 is a pretty heavy lens, and the weight of the elements you're moving when zooming are quite heavy just as well. When the lens is pointed upward, you should feel the resistance caused by the elements themselves, while when it's pointed sideways, the resistance felt is due to the friction caused by the weight rubbing against the bottom of the barrel/support (for the lack of a better word). I own the lens, and it does have more resistance when zooming within the FL ranges you've mentioned. </p>

<p>I'm not saying that your lens is definitely fine, but your situation seems common if not normal. </p>

<p>I guess the stiffness in your zoom problems depends on how 'stiff' stiff is. I just re-tested my lens and I do feel a bit of weight related stiffness when facing straight down but the effect is very, very slight facing straight up. Perhaps you need to try a different copy of lens to see if it is the same as yours. My original comment is based on your comment 'markedly stiff' in your description.</p>

With my copy, I feel the weight of the elements while zooming and pointing upwards, but stiffness... nope, there's none.

 

Then, one man's idea of zoom stiffness is another guy's image of smooth operation. Does it squeak? Does it stop in the middle and becomes impossible to turn? Does it feel like scratching while turning the ring? If some of the above happened, you have a problematic lens. If not, it's a normal lens.

I tried the lens and subsequently bought the Sigma HSM one instead for value:money reasons. I had of course read

extensively on lab tests first. The Sigma one is stiff as it has lots of glass. I found that gravity will help or exacerbate

depending on the direction of the zoom movement. It's stiffer on the horizontal but seems to be getting less so with use.

Of course its optical performance remains unaffected.

<p>I find the tendency of many big lenses to extend themselves when held vertically or down angled more annoying than stiffness. Sometimes stiffness is good ;)</p>

<p>The movement of elements depends nonlinearly on the zoom ring position. It's normal that the stiffness varies quite a bit from setting to setting. Take pictures with your new lens.</p>

<p>Mahmud - This behavior sounds like my 70-200 VR as it was shortly after I bought it. After some time, it got worse, and eventually had serious issues. Nikon repaired it under warranty and once I got it back I realized that the lens is now smoother than it was when I first received it. The point of my post is that I'd return it for a lens that does not act in a way that you might get used to, but isn't quite right. I mean, that is not a cheap lens, and it shouldn't act anything less than perfect.</p>

<p>Nikon's 24-70mm/f2.8 AF-S is physically at its shortest around 50mm. From there, if you zoom it in either direction, the lens actually gets longers; it is at its longest at 24mm.</p>

<p>That is why when you hold the lens vertically with the front facing upward, you are pushing weight upward when you zoom from 50mm, in either direction. Feeling a little stiff is completely normal.</p>

<p>In case you feel that your new lens is abnormally stiff, I would find another one for an A/B comparison. Otherwise, you may be exchanging a perfectly fine lens for another one, and who know the other one will have any issue or not.</p>

<p>I once had multiple 24-70mm/f2.8 AF-S to evaluate the vignetting issue, and I captured the following image.</p><div></div>

<p>Thank you for your responses. It does not have any grinding. It seems okay pointed down as well. It is amazing how the zoom stiffness resolves as you move it from a vertical orientation to horizontal, and then recurs as you move it vertical again. Comparing it to another copy is a very good idea. I have the lens here in Pakistan, so sending it to Nikon USA will not be easy. Nikon Pakistan (it also has one year International warranty) will ship it to Singapore or Japan if it has to be opened up. I didn't get it from them in the first place, because they have a one year warranty, and I was aware of the potential issues with this lens. I am an old customer (they even sent me a 2010 diary last month!), but they won't be too pleased I didn't get it from them!</p>