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Zoom Creep
Contents
The problem
If your zoom lens changes its size when you change focal length, then you either have a "one-touch" (push-pull) zoom, or a "two-touch" zoom. Unless the zoom action is motorized, you either push-and-pull, or turn a zoom ring on the lens to change to your desired focal length.
But what happens when you try to shoot directly down, or vertically up, especially with a tripod? On most lenses, the friction of the lens mechanism prevents the lens zooming by itself. However, as you continue to use your lens, the mechanism loosens up and you suffer ZOOM CREEP.
Some lenses, such as the EF 35-350 L, EF 100-400 L, and EF 28-300 L, offer a locking mechanism with adjustable friction. However, this facility is not available on any of Canon's two-touch zooms. Other than using duct tape or velvet tape on the barrel, there is no obvious solution to zoom creep.
A fix for zoom creep
This document describes a method which is cosmetically invisible. I hesitated in posting, because this method requires partial disassembly of the 28-135, and care must be taken not to damage the lens in the process. Read for your entertainment, do at your own risk!
By rolling back the rubberized zoom grip, expose ONE of the three screws that hold a cylindrical friction bearing. Remove ONLY ONE of the bearings by unscrewing a small retaining screw. Wrap plumbers' thread sealing tape (PTFE, poly-tetrafluroethylene, "Teflon" tape) around the bearing. This increases the thickness of the bearing, and consequently increases friction between the bearing and the zoom cam. PTFE is very smooth and very tough, being the stuff used to coat non-stick cookware. However, PTFE tape is also very thin and very pliable, so you will need a dozen or more turns of PTFE over the bearing before making any noticeable difference in friction. After replacing the screw and bearing, check that the additional friction is enough to prevent zoom creep. If the effect is not enough, thicken up an additional bearing, BUT ONLY AFTER REPLACING THE FIRST SCREW.
Warning
NEVER REMOVE MORE THAN ONE SCREW AT A TIME. DO NOT LOSE ANY PARTS. Otherwise you risk an expensive repair at the service centre.
Reversal
If you do not like the effect, simply unscrew the bearing, and remove all traces of the thread sealing tape. Then simply replace the screw. Again, heed the warning to work only with one screw at a time.
Disclaimer
This fix was first posted in 2001 to the EOS Mailing list. The 28-135 was used for illustration, but the technique might also be applicable to other zoom lenses. Again, this information is for your entertainment only. If you attempt this simple fix, you could damage your lens and invalidate any warranty.
Images
Click each image for a larger view.
Lift the rubber grip ring with a soft implement
Remove the retaining screw and friction bearing
Do not lose the bearing or the retaining screw
Roll the bearing in about a dozen turns of PTFE
Trim excess PTFE from the sides of the roll
Screw the retaining screw through the soft PTFE
Replace the screw and thickened friction bearing
Replace the rubber grip ring on the lens barrel
Revision History
v0.3 2004Dec19 jul: Edits, grammar
v0.2 2004Dec12 jul: Edits, pictures
v0.1 2004Dec07 jul: Original Draft
Comments
Don't do it. There! You have been warned :-)Julian Loke 12/7/2004 1:52:46 PM
Sounds too easy. I think I'll try it.
Jim Strutz 12/7/2004 9:52:30 PM
"remove all traces of the pipe sealing tape"
Not that I would try it, but would it help someone removing the tape to know if there is an easy way to remove the tape (eg solvent/cleaner etc.) Or perhaps the tape is non adhesive in nature ?
Harman Bajwa 12/8/2004 5:54:51 PM
There is no adhesive in PTFE tape. It is one of the materials used in NON-STICK cookware. Being non-stick, it can be difficult to remove without tools.
Julian Loke 12/9/2004 2:31:01 AM
Okay, I tried it on all three screws -- one at a time though. It helps a little, but it still creeps. Actually it plops to 100mm, as mine's quite loose.
Perhaps I'm not doing something right. Macro pictures would be nice. :)
Jim Strutz 12/11/2004 9:53:02 PM
v0.2 Pictures posted. Words edited.
Julian Loke 12/12/2004 5:43:57 AM
Okay, I got it. Pictures are a great help, BTW.
The lens works better. The creeping has stopped and it feels smoother to zoom. Thanks.
Jim Strutz 12/16/2004 6:48:10 AM
Take care.
Mess you more with your lens, higher the chance of damage be.
Julian Loke 2005Jun28 19:50:02 -0700
Proper camera handling technique can alleviate zoom creep problems. Always keep your left hand under the lens gripping the zoom ring. You can hold the lens at any focal length with two fingers and it will not creep in a vertical position as long as you hold the zoom ring.
John Wright 2005Dec02 21:46:16 -0800
Unfortunately, holding the lens barrel defeats the purpose of mounting the camera on a tripod when shooting vertically downward.
Julian Loke 2006Nov22 05:08:09 -1000
brilliant.
conrad erb 2006Dec18 09:33:53 -1000
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yvrteiue 2007Jul03 19:15:03 -1000
Julian, This looks like a great little fix that may well solve a problem I'm having with a 17-85. I also have a 100-300 that suffers severely from this problem. However, on removing the zoom collar rubber from this lens there are no slots, screws etc. Construction appears different. I don't want to take any more of the lens apart without knowing what I'm doing. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Geoff Mower 2007Dec09 13:23:53 -1000
There are special kinds of grease for the s-l-o-w-m-o-t-i-o-n sliding of zooms, etc.
Why not just send the lens off to a /good/ repair place & ask 'em to clean out the old deteriorated grease, & replace it with new sufficiently-thick grease?
Grease /does/ break-down/degrade, so maintenance is a reasonable expectation.
I remember seeing different kinds of that grease for sale at places that sell camera-repair stuff, a couple of years ago, when I was looking for such...
First Last 2008May25 09:50:06 -1000
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hlrcoqtt 2008Aug18 03:21:42 -1000
same zoom creep problem,(Canon 28-135) took out the screw and the bearing ONE AT A TIME and taped it as instructed, and it works!!! down the road if it works loose again, guess I will have to add a little more tape.
first timer 2008Aug25 03:55:28 -1000
Nice work, Julian. Got a 50D a few months ago, and the 28-135 is a fine lens, but the creep bugged me. Not so loose that it changed length noticibly while composing / shooting, just walking around. I did your trick, having the tools and PTFE tape already at hand in the workshop, and it seems to have helped considerably. I had to do all 3 bearings with 15 wraps (maybe my PTFE is thinner). I'll keep an eye on it. The only risk I see, apart from bodging the operation, is bits of PTFE coming loose and floating around, but that seems unlikely and also not liable to do much harm. Thanks again.
DL 2009Jul19 12:03:19 -1000
Just tried this and it worked perfectly. I too had to do all three bearings (ONE AT A TIME!). Thanks for the tip.
Keven 2010Jan11 08:32:23 -1000
I have a Canon 24-105 L. I looked and there is only one screw, which is under a brass plate held in place by a strip of cellophane tape.
What do I do with this lens? Please!
Thanks,
Barry Hamilton 2010Feb08 07:38:08 -1000
Did all 3 screws and it works like a charm no more extended lens everytime I move... Thanks for the info !!
Gerald 2010Feb24 15:43:12 -1000
Helped but didn't eliminate the creep. The tape has a tendency to rub off at the contact points thus making this fix less than complete. But it did help reduce the problem.
Travis 2010May31 16:02:09 -1000
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