17-55mm f/2.8 zoom question

[gabriel_afana]

I just got a 17-55mm f/2.8 lens from someone online. The zoom feels strange...in the middle of the zoom range, its very

easy to rotate the zoom ring. As it gets to teh extremes (55mm and 17mm), it becomes harder to rotate.

 

I assume this is because the 17-55 does one of those in-and-out zoom moves (where the end of the lens protrudes out, then

as you zoom in, the lens comes in then goes back out). However, I had a Quantitary (spelling?) that did the same thing and

the zoom ring on that one felt consistant the whole way - then again it also was a huge enormous 17-55.

 

thoughts?

[ilkka_nissila]

It's just the way the Nikon 17-55 is. Don't worry about it.

[ShunCheung]

I don't have that lens in front of me, but if I remember that correctly, the 17-55mm/f2.8 DX is at it physically shortest point around 35mm. From 35mm, regardless of whether you zoom towards 55mm or 17mm, the lens get physically longer (from head to tail, i.e. from the filter thread to the lens mount). Therefore, if you hold the lens vertically with the front of it pointing upward, starting from 35mm, regardless of which direction you zoom, you are working against gravity.

[alvin_lim5]

Gabriel, it is normal of the 17-55mm to feel a bit stiffer at both ends. Takes a little while to get used to it but once you get the hang of it, you will love it even more.

[ron_hiner2]

i'm embarrased to say this.. but I have a 17-55 on my desk that has only been a paperweight for the last six

months (hello ebay?) Shun is indeed correct.. the lens gets shortest and smoothest on the ring at about

35mm... and longer when focal lenght is either shorter or longer than 35mm

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this lens. Shame I don't use it anymore since switching from d2x to a d3 and a 24-70

[gabriel_afana]

Thanks for the responses....I feel better now :-)

[ntv666]

Mr.Ron you have such a costly paper weight on your table?:

[ronald_moravec1]

Try it on the D700 in Dx. I think you will be very suprised.