Another 28-70/f/3.5-4.5 question

I've been wanting a light normal zoom for some time, and had been

debating whether to get one of the more modern zooms such as the

24-85, or go with the old 28-70 (which I'd heard praised before). The

recent questions about the lens here made me go ahead and pull the

trigger on the 28-70.

 

I've received one in almost immaculate condition, but one quirk of the

lens alarmed me initially. I think I've figured out the issue, but

wanted to check here to be sure I don't have a problem that might

warrant a return.

 

When I initially pulled the lens out of the packaging, I couldn't

budge the zoom ring at all (with the lens not attached to a camera).

Attaching the lens to a camera, and even turning the power on still

didn't unlock the zoom ring. But it appears that if I take the lens

cap off and focus the lens on something, the zoom ring turns freely.

Repeated tests indicate that I can turn the zoom ring as long as power

is on and lens is focused on something, but otherwise it won't budge!

This wasn't the case with the other (more modern) zooms I've used.

 

Is this normal for this lens? Please advise so I know if I need to

call for a return authorization!

 

By the way, a quick unscientific lens test shooting the same scene

using the 28-70 and (of all things) a 45mm tilt shift lens indicates

that image quality on the zoom is quite good, though not quite up to

the 45mm prime (weird, but I had it handy!). Both were at f/8, I

haven't tried wide open. Of course I'd expect the expensive prime to

outperform the old zoom, and it did, but the difference isn't

dramatic. Admittedly this is based on a handful of shots of a city

scene examined at 100%, but at first blush I think I can agree with

those who praised the image quality of this lens.

As I recall on this lens with the lens cap on it restricts you from

using the zoom ring due to its design of the front of the lens retracting into the barrel. Remove the lens cap and you should be able to zoom at will, power on or off, on camera or off.

Oops!

 

I'd have sworn I tried that--It certainly works now. Thanks for easing my mind a bit.

what 45mm prime?

Canon 45mm tilt-shift lens. It gives lens movements similar to (though less extreme than) a view camera. Do a search on website of B&H or one of the big camera retailers and you can find it.