Not sure I posted this in the correct location the other day as a Message in the Photo Gear tab. I'll try again today as a Discussion in the General tab.


Barrel Play - I purchased the Canon 28-70mm f2.8 L USM in October 2010 and use it on a Canon 7D. I have read another time somewhere in this forum about lens barrel play in a previous user's lens and that maybe the user "just got a bad copy". My lens has some play in it, at purchase, at the extended position, my rough measure is about about 0.005" - 0.010" sideways movement at the focus ring which translates to about 0.030" - 0.040" total side to side (0.15" - 0.20" each side of center) at the end of the filter. I can hear when it stops at each side of the play. It is tight at the 70mm position.


How much play is too much? Does anyone know what the "wobble" specs are? Will this amount of play affect my photos, i.e. vignetting, distortion on one side, etc? Would less play (tighter lens construction) improve the lens capabilities appreciably? Should I send this lens in for repair?


If this is posted incorrectly, please let me know where it should have been posted.