Should I learn to live with this lens creep?

narual · 04-20-2016, 02:23 PM

If the "use a rubber band" isn't stylish enough, you could check these guys out: Stop Zoom Creep - LENS BAND

**seventysixersfan** · 04-20-2016, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by narual

If the "use a rubber band" isn't stylish enough, you could check these guys out: Stop Zoom Creep - LENS BAND

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to try different solutions and find out what is easiest to use. Or I might just learn to accept it and adjust my way of handling the lens/camera accordingly.

**Quartermaster James** · 04-20-2016, 03:17 PM

A strip of plain black electric tape fixed the creep on my push-pull beer can.

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to try different solutions and find out what is easiest to use. Or I might just learn to accept it and adjust my way of handling the lens/camera accordingly.

narual · 04-20-2016, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by Quartermaster James

A strip of plain black electric tape fixed the creep on my push-pull beer can.

gah! get some gaffers tape, it won't leave gunk behind if you leave it on too long.

**Quartermaster James** · 04-20-2016, 04:32 PM

My experience is just the opposite: the gaffers tape leaves residue and the electrical tape doesn't!

Anyway, gaffers tape would be too thick for a fix for my lens. Thanks anyway!

Originally posted by narual

gah! get some gaffers tape, it won't leave gunk behind if you leave it on too long.

Not a Number · 04-20-2016, 04:43 PM

So who is this lens creep?

**seventysixersfan** · 04-20-2016, 07:00 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

So who is this lens creep?

I don't want to mention any names!

One3rdEV · 04-20-2016, 08:40 PM

For what it is worth- the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 has a zoom lock button effective for its minimum focal length. Only thing is I don't care for its larger diameter and weight when walking close by with my spouse. When walking with my spouse I much prefer the smaller diameter and weight of the DA 18-135mm, but my copy also suffers zoom creep. I've entertained the idea of rigging a small bungy cord to go from mount-to-mount of the camera strap, something that could quickly stretch over the tulip shaped petals of the lens hood.

mee · 04-20-2016, 09:18 PM

I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior.

I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot?

**Quartermaster James** · 04-20-2016, 09:47 PM

Do you have any push-pull zooms?

Originally posted by mee

I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior.

I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot?

**seventysixersfan** · 04-21-2016, 07:11 AM

Originally posted by mee

I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior. I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot?

I have had DSLR lenses since 2010 and this is my first experience with zoom creep. I tried out all my zooms last night and none of them exhibited the same behavior as my Sigma 17-70, including my DA 18-135, Tamron 28-75, and DA 55-300. It's possible that I haven't used my other zooms as much as the original owner of my Sigma 17-70 did. I also never walkaround carrying my camera slung by my side naked without having it in a holster case. So that might be one reason my other zooms haven't yet developed the creeping problem.

stevebrot · 04-21-2016, 01:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by seventysixersfan

I have had DSLR lenses since 2010 and this is my first experience with zoom creep.

Originally posted by Quartermaster James

Do you have any push-pull zooms?

Zoom creep is almost universal for push-pull designs and tends to be less so with two-ring lenses. The trade off for two-ring lenses is that ease to extend the lens is at tension with resistance to gravity. The Sigma 17-70 (C) requires very little effort to extend, but that comes at a price and is not evidence of poor or sloppy design.

Steve

(...bought my first zoom in 1983 and still have it and yes, it creeps...)

**seventysixersfan** · 04-21-2016, 02:01 PM

I wrote an email to Sigma customer support asking whether this lens creep is "normal" for the 17-70 -- whether in a used or new model. I also asked if such creeping is covered by their warranty (in the event that I decide to return my used copy and buy a brand new one). A Sigma representative kindly wrote back within a few hours, ignoring my second question entirely, but saying: " It is difficult to determine if the lens is not performing correctly without physically inspecting it, though it will extend on its own if held front down."

I guess I have my answer!

narual · 04-22-2016, 10:14 AM

Originally posted by mee

I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior.

I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot?

I wear mine on a sling. If the lens is heavy enough, it points down. Haven't actually had any creep issues that I can recall with my pentax gear, but my nikon 18-200 travel zoom used to creep all the time.

mikeSF · 04-22-2016, 10:23 AM

I don't have experience with that lens specifically, but lens creep in my opinion is a thing of the past and current manufacturers should be designing against such an issue.

That would drive me crazy, especially when shooting panos or a bracket series where the zoom and focus could fall out between shots.
I understand some of the comments say that is normal for this lens, but in my opinion it may as well be a defective lens to be slipping.

Good luck with it

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04-20-2016, 02:23 PM	#16
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	If the "use a rubber band" isn't stylish enough, you could check these guys out: Stop Zoom Creep - LENS BAND

04-20-2016, 02:56 PM	#17
seventysixersfan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by narual If the "use a rubber band" isn't stylish enough, you could check these guys out: Stop Zoom Creep - LENS BAND Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to try different solutions and find out what is easiest to use. Or I might just learn to accept it and adjust my way of handling the lens/camera accordingly.

04-20-2016, 03:17 PM	#18
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	A strip of plain black electric tape fixed the creep on my push-pull beer can. Originally posted by seventysixersfan Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to try different solutions and find out what is easiest to use. Or I might just learn to accept it and adjust my way of handling the lens/camera accordingly.

04-20-2016, 03:44 PM	#19
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by Quartermaster James A strip of plain black electric tape fixed the creep on my push-pull beer can. gah! get some gaffers tape, it won't leave gunk behind if you leave it on too long.

04-20-2016, 04:32 PM	#20
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	My experience is just the opposite: the gaffers tape leaves residue and the electrical tape doesn't! Anyway, gaffers tape would be too thick for a fix for my lens. Thanks anyway! Originally posted by narual gah! get some gaffers tape, it won't leave gunk behind if you leave it on too long.

04-20-2016, 04:43 PM	#21
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	So who is this lens creep?

04-20-2016, 07:00 PM	#22
seventysixersfan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number So who is this lens creep? I don't want to mention any names!

04-20-2016, 08:40 PM	#23
One3rdEV Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: So-central, MI Posts: 285	For what it is worth- the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 has a zoom lock button effective for its minimum focal length. Only thing is I don't care for its larger diameter and weight when walking close by with my spouse. When walking with my spouse I much prefer the smaller diameter and weight of the DA 18-135mm, but my copy also suffers zoom creep. I've entertained the idea of rigging a small bungy cord to go from mount-to-mount of the camera strap, something that could quickly stretch over the tulip shaped petals of the lens hood.

04-20-2016, 09:18 PM	#24
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior. I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot?

04-20-2016, 09:47 PM	#25
Quartermaster James Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 653	Do you have any push-pull zooms? Originally posted by mee I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior. I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot?

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04-21-2016, 07:11 AM	#26
seventysixersfan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	Originally posted by mee I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior. I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot? I have had DSLR lenses since 2010 and this is my first experience with zoom creep. I tried out all my zooms last night and none of them exhibited the same behavior as my Sigma 17-70, including my DA 18-135, Tamron 28-75, and DA 55-300. It's possible that I haven't used my other zooms as much as the original owner of my Sigma 17-70 did. I also never walkaround carrying my camera slung by my side naked without having it in a holster case. So that might be one reason my other zooms haven't yet developed the creeping problem.

04-21-2016, 01:56 PM - 1 Like	#27
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by seventysixersfan I have had DSLR lenses since 2010 and this is my first experience with zoom creep. Originally posted by Quartermaster James Do you have any push-pull zooms? Zoom creep is almost universal for push-pull designs and tends to be less so with two-ring lenses. The trade off for two-ring lenses is that ease to extend the lens is at tension with resistance to gravity. The Sigma 17-70 (C) requires very little effort to extend, but that comes at a price and is not evidence of poor or sloppy design. Steve (...bought my first zoom in 1983 and still have it and yes, it creeps...)

04-21-2016, 02:01 PM	#28
seventysixersfan Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 2,054 Original Poster	I wrote an email to Sigma customer support asking whether this lens creep is "normal" for the 17-70 -- whether in a used or new model. I also asked if such creeping is covered by their warranty (in the event that I decide to return my used copy and buy a brand new one). A Sigma representative kindly wrote back within a few hours, ignoring my second question entirely, but saying: " It is difficult to determine if the lens is not performing correctly without physically inspecting it, though it will extend on its own if held front down." I guess I have my answer!

04-22-2016, 10:14 AM	#29
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Originally posted by mee I'm surprised to read the responses in here about the commonality of zoom creep on lenses.. In 6 years and ~12 lenses (new and used), I've yet to have a lens that has exhibited this behavior. I wonder if there is any common practices in handling that can cause or, at least, enhance this issue? Do you guys use a cotton carrier or the like? lens strap by your side? That is, when walking with your camera. ..some type of device that causes the lens to point down and have a jarring motion when footsteps are made.. does your camera bounce around a lot? I wear mine on a sling. If the lens is heavy enough, it points down. Haven't actually had any creep issues that I can recall with my pentax gear, but my nikon 18-200 travel zoom used to creep all the time.

04-22-2016, 10:23 AM	#30
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	I don't have experience with that lens specifically, but lens creep in my opinion is a thing of the past and current manufacturers should be designing against such an issue. That would drive me crazy, especially when shooting panos or a bracket series where the zoom and focus could fall out between shots. I understand some of the comments say that is normal for this lens, but in my opinion it may as well be a defective lens to be slipping. Good luck with it