Reply To: Rattling lens?

[jetpix]

Run the other way.

If you are hearing a rattling, it is probably a small L shaped retainer clip that mounts to the inside of the casing, and provides a pivot point for the zoom mechanism.  If the zoom is functioning, it probably won’t be much longer.  The clip, even after breaking away from the housing (which is held in place by two tiny screws secured by glue – it is the glue that gives way and allows the screws to loosen), can rest in place because of other parts for quite a while, but will eventually fall out of place.  It’s not a terribly difficult fix on older lenses, but anything with AF is a a pain in the a** because of all the internal wiring that has to lay in exactly the right place.

Eventually, the zoom mechanism will jam, and you will have a 24 mm or 35 mm or 50 mm or 63 mm (wherever it happens to jam), non-zoom lens.