28-105 sticky zoom

[olyduck]

I have a old 28-105 3.5-4.5 EF Ultrasonic zoom.  It takes ok pictures, but the zoom ring tends to bind up from time to time.  Is there any thing I can do to restore the smooth zooming action it once had?
Thanks,
Dave

[Bob Atkins]

Probably not. Taking Canon EF lenses apart is not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. You're more likely to cause more damage than fix any problems!  It's always tempting to try lubrication as a method to fix such problems, but the catch is that if whatever oil you use actually gets inside the optics and onto the lens elements, you'll end up in worse condition than you started.

If it's not an actual problem, I'd probably live with it. The alternative is to send it in for repair, but I suspect that the cost of any repair might approach the value of the lens (~$150).

[olyduck]

Thanks Bob.  I had hoped there might be some lind of silicone agent I could use.  On the bright side, I guess the binding up of  the zoom action on the old lens now becomes one more point for me to rationalize getting the 24-105 IS L 

[Bob Atkins]

You could try one drop of a lubricating oil around the zoom ring and hope it doesn't find its way onto the glass. Any non-volatile oil of reasonable viscosity might work. I would NOT use a volatile low viscosity penetrating oil like WD-40 though. It probably won't go far if it's just one drop, but I can't say for sure since I don't know what the internal construction of that lens is.

Of course any excuse to get the EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM is a good excuse. It's not a perfect lens, but it's pretty good and very versatile and it's probably my most used lens unless I'm shooting wildlife.