IS Motor Noise

[StuartRae]

I've just taken delivery of an EF 70-300 IS.
I haven't had much opportunity to use it in anger yet, but it focuses quickly and accurately and seems to be nice and sharp.

However, I can quite clearly hear the IS gyro-motors whirring away, whereas on my EF-S 17-85 they're practically inaudible.

Is this noise normal, or do I have a problem?

Regards,

Stuart

 

[samdring]

Hello Stuart
I have the DO version which makes enough noise to disturb a domesticated diplodocus on diazepam whereas my others are quiet. Seems to be model-specific and causes no issues

 

[StuartRae]

Thanks Sam. It does seem to work OK in spite of the noise. In fact, the 17-85 is so quiet I wonder...........

Nice to meet you over here BTW.

Regards,

Stuart

 

[Erik DeBill]

I've just taken delivery of an EF 70-300 IS.
I haven't had much opportunity to use it in anger yet, but it focuses quickly and accurately and seems to be nice and sharp.

However, I can quite clearly hear the IS gyro-motors whirring away, whereas on my EF-S 17-85 they're practically inaudible.

Is this noise normal, or do I have a problem?

My 100-400 used to be a little noisy. Then it got noisier with sounds of rubbing/grinding. Occasionally it would "catch" and the field of view would twitch sideways. Then the IS quit working altogether and I sent it in to be repaired. Now it's quieter than it ever was before. It was never loud enough to hear at any distance.

This is just one datapoint, so please take it with a grain of salt. It does seem to indicate that being loud MAY be symptomatic in at least some cases.