Sigma 17-70 issue: I have a Sigma 17-70 mm lens which has had quite a bit of use. It is great optically but the ribbed rubber grip for zooming is loosening from the body of the lens.

mtcoothaman Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

I have a Sigma 17-70 mm lens which has had quite a bit of use. It is great optically but the ribbed rubber grip for zooming is loosening from the body of the lens. Has anybody else had this issue and, if so, is there an easy fix. I contemplated taking it off and trying to reglue. Any helpful comments appreciated.

RogStrix Loc: UK

try rolling it back and put some double sided sticky tape under it?

JD750 Loc: SoCal

mtcoothaman wrote:

I have a Sigma 17-70 mm lens which has had quite a bit of use. It is great optically but the ribbed rubber grip for zooming is loosening from the body of the lens. Has anybody else had this issue and, if so, is there an easy fix. I contemplated taking it off and trying to reglue. Any helpful comments appreciated.

Yeah that happens. How about applying a couple dabs (do not overdo it), of adhesive under it.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

mtcoothaman wrote:

I have a Sigma 17-70 mm lens which has had quite a bit of use. It is great optically but the ribbed rubber grip for zooming is loosening from the body of the lens. Has anybody else had this issue and, if so, is there an easy fix. I contemplated taking it off and trying to reglue. Any helpful comments appreciated.

I agree with the double sticky tape. If you choose to use glue use a rubber cement and roll the cover back. Apply to both sides lens and cover after the glue flashes off roll the cover back on.

bebop22 Loc: New York City

Good idea with the double sided tape. I have that lens and it is real good. Do you have the older version; 17-70, 4.5?

mtcoothaman Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

bebop22 wrote:

Good idea with the double sided tape. I have that lens and it is real good. Do you have the older version; 17-70, 4.5?

Yes

It is the older one. It has always been firm/stiff to zoom but performs well, if noisy on the Pentax. Since my post I have seen a solution which involves heating the rubber in a moderate oven for 14 mins to shrink it. A refence to boiling in water too but these seem a bit drastic. There are new rings available on ebay for the HSM version and I think the sizing is the same.

I do have a Pentax 17-70 mm which is heavier and sometimes slower to focus. I got it new very cheaply, no doubt because its SDM(sudden death motor !!) is prone to failure so I am always reluctant to take it on trips away overseas in case it lets me down.

mtcoothaman Loc: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

mtcoothaman wrote:

Yes br br It is the older one. It has always been... (show quote)

UPDATE

I have been overseas and now I have returned I have been brave enough to remove the rubber- interesting. There must have been some adhesive which has now turned soft and slimy. Also the rubber covers two thin brass plates , 20x 10mm , which cover some slots over moving parts and clearly act to transmit the settings electrically. They are held in place by a clear tape, like Sellotape , under the rubber. One of these has come adrift. I now am working on removing the old adhesive and reinstalling the brass and rubber.