Canon 3x Lens noisier when zooming than 20x lens? at DVinfo.net

Miralli Maxwell · January 15th, 2010, 04:40 PM

Hi everybody,
I'm new here. I would like to thank everybody who is contributing to this extremely helpful forum.

I just purchased a Canon 3x lens for my XL2. The thing that I'm concerned about is the noise while zooming. You can hear it while zooming using the button or manual. It has to be quite to hear it. If zoomed fast you hear grrrrrrrrrr... when slower you hear grr grr grr. I don't hear that on the 20x lens.

Is this normal. Please let me know. Especially I would like to hear from people who have both lenses.

Thank you very much!

Rainer Listing · January 30th, 2010, 04:49 PM

Miralli, just noticed your post. I have both lenses and don't hear anything on either. You didn't say where you got your lens, but probably not good news if it's a used one.

Owen Dawe · February 27th, 2010, 04:27 AM

Is it a new lens or second hand? All the lens I've used seem silent. I had one get sand in once. It made a grinding sound 'till it went to Canon fot a clean out.

I don't think the 3x lens is what they crack it up to be. Great for close up and hand held, but the image is inclined to be rather fuzzy.

Tony Davies-Patrick · February 27th, 2010, 05:17 AM

I've owned a lot of different Canon 3X lenses and they have all delivered a very good quality image, especially at wide-open-to-mid aperture settings. Not quite on par with my Canon 6X HD lens, but neither is the price. For the price that you can buy a new or mint secondhand 3X lens, it is well worth it in my opinion.

Regarding the noise, there should be some normal very quiet whirring when AF is engaged, but if it is louder and different than your 20X lens you may have a problem. Check the quality of your footage and sharpness (on a tripod, not handheld) and if it is OK, then you may be able to live with it; but if not, then have it checked by a professional repair specialist.

Is it so loud that the onboard mic easily picks the up whirring sound?

Owen Dawe · February 27th, 2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Davies-Patrick

I've owned a lot of different Canon 3X lenses and they have all delivered a very good quality image, especially at wide-open-to-mid aperture settings. Not quite on par with my Canon 6X HD lens, but neither is the price. For the price that you can buy a new or mint secondhand 3X lens, it is well worth it in my opinion.

That's encouraging to hear Tony. The one I use I borrow. It may have had a hard life so I stand corrected and shouldn't judge them all on my experience.

If the lens is second hand, borrowed or hired it's hard to know how it's been treated. Canon makes a pretty durable product. I've worked with others on projects. I've seen Canon lenses dropped, left to roll around in the boot (trunk) of a car and they still function perfectly. The xl camera is a solid built item.

Miralli Maxwell · March 22nd, 2010, 11:11 PM

Thank you Rainer, Owen and Tony.
Thank you very much for your input.

Yes, the 3x lens I bought is used from ebay. Bought it for $500 then I called the seller and told him about the noise. I got $100 refund. Total it cost me $400.
The lens visually looks brand new. Not even minor scratches are noticeable. I used it few times so far and it works fine. Except, in low light it constantly is searching for focus. Very annoying. The 20x lens is not doing that. I read here on forum that some other users have the same problem. Any of you familiar with this?

Thank you again. :-)

January 15th, 2010, 04:40 PM	#1
Miralli Maxwell Tourist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 4	Canon 3x Lens noisier when zooming than 20x lens? Hi everybody, I'm new here. I would like to thank everybody who is contributing to this extremely helpful forum. I just purchased a Canon 3x lens for my XL2. The thing that I'm concerned about is the noise while zooming. You can hear it while zooming using the button or manual. It has to be quite to hear it. If zoomed fast you hear grrrrrrrrrr... when slower you hear grr grr grr. I don't hear that on the 20x lens. Is this normal. Please let me know. Especially I would like to hear from people who have both lenses. Thank you very much!

February 27th, 2010, 04:27 AM	#3
Owen Dawe Major Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua, New Zealand Posts: 244	Is it a new lens or second hand? All the lens I've used seem silent. I had one get sand in once. It made a grinding sound 'till it went to Canon fot a clean out. I don't think the 3x lens is what they crack it up to be. Great for close up and hand held, but the image is inclined to be rather fuzzy. __________________ Owen

February 27th, 2010, 05:17 AM	#4
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	I've owned a lot of different Canon 3X lenses and they have all delivered a very good quality image, especially at wide-open-to-mid aperture settings. Not quite on par with my Canon 6X HD lens, but neither is the price. For the price that you can buy a new or mint secondhand 3X lens, it is well worth it in my opinion. Regarding the noise, there should be some normal very quiet whirring when AF is engaged, but if it is louder and different than your 20X lens you may have a problem. Check the quality of your footage and sharpness (on a tripod, not handheld) and if it is OK, then you may be able to live with it; but if not, then have it checked by a professional repair specialist. Is it so loud that the onboard mic easily picks the up whirring sound? __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

January 30th, 2010, 04:49 PM	#2
Rainer Listing Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nowra, Australia Posts: 440	Miralli, just noticed your post. I have both lenses and don't hear anything on either. You didn't say where you got your lens, but probably not good news if it's a used one.

March 22nd, 2010, 11:11 PM	#6
Miralli Maxwell Tourist Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 4	Thank you Rainer, Owen and Tony. Thank you very much for your input. Yes, the 3x lens I bought is used from ebay. Bought it for $500 then I called the seller and told him about the noise. I got $100 refund. Total it cost me $400. The lens visually looks brand new. Not even minor scratches are noticeable. I used it few times so far and it works fine. Except, in low light it constantly is searching for focus. Very annoying. The 20x lens is not doing that. I read here on forum that some other users have the same problem. Any of you familiar with this? Thank you again. :-)