100mm IS L Macro Hissing Noise ??

[Sheiky]

Sounds normal and if you're still worried try putting the IS off.


Take a photo at 1/30 of a second (or any shutterspeed which you normally couldn't get steady without IS). Keep the settings, push the IS back on, let it work (it takes like a second for it to work fully when half-press the shutter-button) and take the same picture. If it is significantly sharper, no motion blur, you'll know it's working properly.


But again, it sounds pretty normal []

[mikehillman89]

If you're ultra-concerned and it's been less than 14 days just take it back to the store and claim DOA and you can get a new one.


But I think the snake might be the problem[]

[Marty]

I have tried turning off the IS and the sound does stop. But I did not know if this is typical. I have read where people said that the lens hummed a little. Hum, hiss, whatever. It is probably OK.

[mikehillman89]

If this is your first L lens that has IS then you're probably not just used to the sound. A lot of the kit lenses that say they have "IS" is more superficial and you never see results from it. As well as some ISs' make more noise then others. Some of the older lenses with first gen IS make a loud whirring sound so a small hiss is quite quiet comparably.

[neuroanatomist]

Yes, it's normal. The sound of IS starting and stopping is more audible than the sound of it working, but you can hear both if you listen. The sound type and volume vary depending on the lens, and as Mike said the 'kit lens' IS systems are usually quieter (the IS system for a variable aperture f/3.5-5.6 lens needs to move a lot less glass than for a constant f/2.8 lens). As IS noise on high-end lenses goes, the 100mm L is pretty quiet. By comparison, the 300mm f/4L IS starts with a loud 'clunk' that you can hear and feel, and there's a continual and audible buzz as it works.

[Jon Ruyle]

As IS noise on high-end lenses goes, the 100mm L is pretty quiet.

Mine seems louder to me than the 24-105 f/4 (maybe, as you said, because it is slower). It's also louder than the 70-200 f/2.8 ii, but hey. That thing is very quiet.


I think the 100 IS is quieter than the 70-200 f/2.8 mark i.

[neuroanatomist]

All of the relatively new IS systems seem quieter than the first- and second-generation system (although I haven't ever heard the a supertelephoto IS). It makes sense that the Hybrid IS in the macro lens would be a little louder during operation - there must be additional motors to account for corrections in the XY plane as well asθ.

[mikehillman89]

300mm f/4L IS starts with a loud 'clunk' that you can hear and feel, and there's a continual and audible buzz as it works.
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I love that lens! I want it! I just hope by the time I've got the money for it Canon may have overhauled it. We're 2 years shy of its 15th birthday! Personally I prefer a loud IS. Helps me make sure it's working. [:P]

[barba]

300mm f/4L IS starts with a loud 'clunk' that you can hear and feel, and there's a continual and audible buzz as it works.

I love that lens! I want it! I just hope by the time I've got the money for it Canon may have overhauled it. We're 2 years shy of its 15th birthday! Personally I prefer a loud IS. Helps me make sure it's working. [img]/emoticons/emotion-4.gif[/img]

Especially since the IS on 300mm is not tripod sensing.


Even without an update, it is a great lens.

[mikehillman89]

Especially since the IS on 300mm is not tripod sensing.
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Yeah. Unfortunately it's the first gen one so it can't []

It makes
sense that the Hybrid IS in the macro lens would be a little louder
during operation - there must be additional motors to account for
corrections in the XY plane as well as&theta;.

Good point. It makes sense that it would have to correct for such a small focusing area.