noise from IS-Image stabilization

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alan McDade on October 27, 2009 at 12:24am

I have two IS lens. When you press the button slightly the IS engages and you hear the tiny mechanics at work. Obviously I do not know what noise yours is making but if it is relatively quiet and sounds like little electric motors stabilising your lens then you are OK

Permalink Reply by Kiran on October 27, 2009 at 12:32am

thanks Alan for ur reply ... i can hear the sound like some motor is working inside ... previously it was not that audible. .. but now i can hear it when i am taking the pic ... hope it is usual ... !!

Permalink Reply by Joe Konz on October 27, 2009 at 8:11am

Kiran, I think Alan's explanation is it. The IS mechanism does take a very short moment to lock in each time you prepare a shot, which consists of the act of pressing the shutter release halfway to focus. Although I've never noticed such a noise in my IS lens (the 70-200mm), I've read/heard others say they have.

Permalink Reply by Nigel4869 on December 17, 2009 at 7:34am

Kiran, the 2 replies you have had sound completely right. Other suggestion is to use single auto focus not continuous. Perhaps the lens is hunting to find something to focus on.

Permalink Reply by Kerri Shotts on January 26, 2010 at 9:02am

I had the 55-250 IS and now have the 70-200 f/4 IS. Both make a "grinding" noise when IS is enabled, and this is normal. The 55-250 IS is quieter than my 70-200 f/4 IS; unless the noise you hear is really loud, I'd say what you are hearing is normal.

I suspect that the IS mechanism probably gets a bit louder over time; after all, IS is achieved through a lot of things moving around a little bit, so it wouldn't shock me to hear that a 55-250 was previously quiet and started to make some noise.

I think I would really only start to worry if you can tell that the IS function really isn't working. IE, if while the noise is going, the image is not stabilized correctly, then you have a problem. (But -- give the IS a second to settle; I find my 70-200mm a bit jumpy - so I've learned not to make the exposure right after IS engages -- it's still figuring things out.)

Permalink Reply by Kiran on January 26, 2010 at 5:36pm

thanks keri ... now i think noise is not a big problem !!

Permalink Reply by Kiran on February 23, 2010 at 10:01am

thanks mark ! i will try ur suggestions !