Canon stablization noise ?

Just opened my new Canon 70-200 f4 IS USM lens. The noise from the Image Stab. motor or system is loud. I can hear a click and whirr as soon as I press the shutter half way, and it stops after 2 seconds (the time the system stays active). When it stops, I can hear a little "click".

I mounted my 100-400 IS, and I have to put my ear right up to the lens itself to hear a very slight noise when the IS is on. The 17-85 is even quieter.

Is this lens known for a noisy IS system? I purchased online from Adorama, so I can't just take it to the salesman and ask him what he thinks. I can always ask them to exchange it for another one, but no sense going through that if the next lens will be just as noisy.

Anyone notice a noisy IS with the canon 70-200 f4?

thanks
Doug

I don't own the 70-200 f4 I, but have several other IS lenses. The click and noise you describe does not sound right to me. If you are close to the shop I would try another. If you mail ordered it I would send it back for exchange. As a last resort I would send it to Canon Service Center. Talk on the web is that Irvine CA is better than Jamestown NJ.

Ed, I guess it depends on where you're hearing Web talk as far as which outlet is the most reliable. I've heard lots of horror stories about the Irvine center, while hearing good things about the NJ center. My stuff goes to NJ and I've always had good service.

But that's neither here nor there, really.

Doug, I've shot 4 different IS lenses. Each had some degree of "snick" when the IS engaged and continued with a slight noise that was audible to me while shooting. Regardless of where you bought the lens, it's on full warranty still, and you can send it in to Canon for absolutely free servicing. Just explain that to you it's much louder than your other IS lenses and you believe there's a defect.

Doug, I echo Steve. My IS lenses have a slight noise when being engaged. Doesn't seem to affect anything. I'm sure Canon will be glad to look it over for you.

I bought this lens just a few months ago and noticed the same thing. I also have the 24-105 f4 L IS USM and the 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS USM, and the 70-200 f4 L IS USM is definitely louder than those other IS lenses. I haven't contacted Canon about it. I'm not sure if it would be worth the effort to send it to Canon to check it out, especially if it's not a problem with just my lens but is an inherent issue with the lens in general which can't be fixed, and considering that I will only be using the IS on an infrequent basis.

Jim, thanks for your reply. It seems we have identified this as perhaps just a normal quirk of the 70-200 lens. So far, the lens works great, and the IS system is working...it was just the noise that got my attention.

BTW, I just did a quick side/side comparison of the 70-200 vs the 100-400. Both focused on the same subject at 200mm, both shooting 1/50 @ f5.6....the 70-200 produced a noticably sharper image as viewed on my laptop. There have been some discussion that some of the 100-400 units were a little soft....how's yours?
Doug

Doug, I haven't done any actual comparisons yet myself. I guess I should. But, when I was researching what to buy, I read some reviews indicating this as well. In fact, I was initially considering getting just the 24-105 and the 100-400 since the focal length ranges overlap. However, I figured that if the 70-200 is sharper at 200mm than the 100-400, that this would be an added bonus over and above its (obviously) smaller size and lighter weight. It will be nice to have the 100-400 when I need it for the longer focal length. But it will also be nice not to have to carry it in my pack unless I expect to be needing more than 200mm, knowing that the 70-200 is sharper up to that length anyway. Hmmm ... now I'm wondering if the 70-200 is also in fact sharper at 100mm than the 100-400.