topic Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar in EF & RF Lenses

Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:42:13 GMT

Does anyone else hate the lens collar on the RF100-500 lens? If it's somewhat loose, it frequently breaks open potentially spilling the lens to the ground. It is very hard to tighten enough so that it doesn't slip around when on a tripod. I have owned many of Canon's telephotos before I switched to the mirrorless system. I never had a problem with their lens collars. What genius in engineering came up with this awful lens collar design????

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

Tronhard — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 20:25:47 GMT

It seems odd that your lens collar is so bad. Has it always been like this since purchase? If so, why not call Canon support on 1-800-OK-CANON and maybe they can help you out. If not, has anything happened or been done to the lens collar? Over- tightening of the screw to close the collar could strip the thread.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 22:41:49 GMT

The lens is only a year old and it isn’t stripped. This is just how it was designed.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

Tronhard — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 04:07:02 GMT

Honestly, I don't agree with that - if anything you may have got a dud unit, but that doesn't mean the design is fatally flawed. The design is very similar to ones of earlier similar lenses like the EF 28-300L and the MkI of the 100-400 and they worked fine - I still shoot with the former of these and it functions perfectly after almost 20 years. I personally prefer the design of the 100-400 MkII, but with the 100-500 I have has no issues with its collar. If it is still covered by warranty (I live in NZ where we have a 5-year warranty on Canon gear, but I don't know your warranty), then contact Canon and 1-800-OK-CANON to see what they can do to help you. If it has been like this for a while I am surprised you waited this long to bring it up.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

Hazel_T — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 04:04:53 GMT

Hi tangogal,

As Tronhard mentioned the tripod collar should not be loose like how you are describing and that is a sign of an issue with the equipment. If a tripod mount is loose or not staying closed we would recommend sending the collar and lens in for repair. That indicates an issue either with the collar itself or an issue with the lens barrel. If your lens is still within the one year manufacturer's warranty make sure to include a copy of the proof of purchase in the box. The technician will need that to verify the warranty.

The Canon U.S.A., Inc. online repair portal allows you to set up service in a few simple steps. The repair portal gives you the ability to set up service for multiple pieces of equipment at once, and to receive a repair estimate in the majority of cases, depending on your model and issue. The portal also allows you to upload images or videos that will assist us in repairing your product. You can also select how you wish to be notified of the progress of your repair. The portal's service history section allows you to view all services that have been performed on any of your camera or video products since January 7, 2020.

Please follow the link below to access our online repair portal to arrange for service:

https://mycanon.usa.canon.com/signin

Instructions for Accessing and Using the Online Repair Portal

You will need to access or create your My Canon Account.

If you already have a My Canon Account and your product is already registered, simply click on the “Get Repair Services” link on the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions to arrange for service for your product.

If you have a My Canon Account and your product is not registered, you must register your product first. Click on the “Get Repair Services” link on the left menu, then click on the “Register Product” link on the right. After your product is registered, click on the “Get Repair Service” link on the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions to arrange for service for your product.

If you do not have a My Canon Account, you will need to create one. After you create your account, click on the “Add Product” link to register your first product. After your product is registered, click on the “Get Repair Service” link on the left menu and follow the onscreen instructions to arrange for service for your product.

Once you have completed the repair request, you will have an opportunity to print a copy of the request for your records. This request form will also contain shipping instructions and an address label that you will attach to the outside of your shipping box when mailing your equipment for repair.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 15:15:08 GMT

It is still under warranty at least until sometime in Sept. but I generally used it hand held. The other day I was using it on a tripod and found it very difficult to tighten sufficiently that it did not rotate on the tripod. Also I find one has to be very careful taking it out of the camera bag where I often loosen the lens collar so that it will fit in the space in my bag. When lifting the lens out of my bag, I must be super careful about the collar because it can break open if I don't immediately tighten it.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 15:17:00 GMT

It isn't broken and does not need repair. It is the design that I hate. If it is even slightly loose, it can break open. It is also hard to tighten so that it doesn't rotate while on a tripod.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

rs-eos — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 15:24:10 GMT

It does indeed sound broken. Since it's still under warrantly, you should send it in for repair (see Hazel's earlier reply for how to do that).

If you choose not to, then you'll end up living with the broken equipment.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

Tronhard — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 18:44:34 GMT

I think we're all singing from the same song book here. The OP is determined that it is the design. It is not, it's just a faulty unit and it can be fixed or repaired for free if they just log a job and send it in for repair and let Canon do their job to support her. If she is not using it often it should be no great hardship to do without it for the period it will take to get it sorted and then she can enjoy it as it is designed to function. The wait too long and the warranty lapses - which is not Canon's fault.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

CodeTHR33 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 03:09:26 GMT

I have the same lens and the same issue as the OP. I also believe it is the design. My lens is basically new and has never been damaged in any way. Not even a mark. I’ve had to put a piece of masking tape on the lens under where the collar mounts to keep it from slipping while it’s on a tripod. It just doesn’t tighten down far enough. The design makes it so. Honestly, he’s right. It’s not a very good design.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

CodeTHR33 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 03:17:42 GMT

Same problem. Same lens. Basically new. No damage ever. On the tripod, especially using my Wimberley gimbal head, it will rotate in the collar very easily. The issue is that it is not possible to tighten the collar beyond a certain point because of the design. I’ve had to put a piece of masking tape on the lens under where the collar mounts to add material and add more friction to keep it from spinning. I’m definitely not sending my lens and collar back to Canon when it’s obviously a design issue. It just doesn’t work well. People in this thread keep saying that you’re wrong and that it’s broken or whatever. I doubt that. Mine is the same. And I doubt those people have this lens because if they did, they would see what we’re talking about.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 03:54:11 GMT

so glad someone finally understands this is a bad design. Thank you for posting.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

Danfaz — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 04:51:01 GMT

I used to think it would never tighten properly, but discovered you don't just turn the tightening knob, you have to push it in, then turn, and it tightens up very quickly and securely.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

CodeTHR33 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 09:13:40 GMT

Oh, I can get the knob to thread and can engage and tighten the knob in the threads until it won’t turn anymore (knob is fully tight), but the collar still isn’t tight on the lens. I can then hold the collar and, with enough force (not much), I can still rotate the collar (or lens—same thing). This isn’t that big of a deal while hand holding the lens, but it’s a big deal on a tripod because I’m on a gimbal and trying to move the camera body to swivel and tilt the lens and it ends up rotating the body/lens while the collar stays fixed to the gimbal. One piece of masking tape is enough thickness to stop it from happening, but that just shows that the collar can’t get tight enough on its own.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

MikeSowsun — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 15:54:33 GMT

Here is a video that shows the problem. I think the solution is to always expect the lens to fall out if the the lock knob is not FULLY and FIRMLY tightened.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 16:07:12 GMT

So true. If it's even slightly loose, it can open and you'll possibly drop the lens. The other problem is that it is very hard to tighten it enough so it does not allow the lens to rotate when on a tripod. So there you are out at night trying to capture moonrise behind a lighthouse, and your darn lens keeps moving and you get a blurry image after all that effort. This is the worst lens collar I have ever encountered. Canon should be made to replace it with one of its old type lens collars that worked just fine and give one free to every customer who purchased the (otherwise excellent) 100-500.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 16:08:47 GMT

It tightens but never securely.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

tangogal — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 16:10:00 GMT

Please use gaffers tape, not masking tape. Easy to remove and won't leave a residue on the lens.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

Waddizzle — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 16:40:38 GMT

Is there a part or model number on the tripod collar, to compare with what others have?

If you experiencing issues with the tripod collar, are certain the ring if getting fully inserted?

If you can loosen the lock knob and the collar comes off, then that is a red flag for a problem. It appears to be a “double-action” mechanism, which means it takes two separate and concurrent actions to attach it, as well as release it.

You are supposed to able to loosen the knob and be able to rotate the lens without the collar coming off of the lens.

Re: Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

CodeTHR33 — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:51:56 GMT

Yikes! I haven’t had that happen. I always have it as tight as I can get it by hand (without forcing it and stripping it out). Regardless, because of the design it reaches a limit of how tight the actual collar is to the lens and the lens can still spin in the collar with enough pressure.

I thought it was designed to not fall out unless you pulled back on the knob after unscrewing it, but I guess, after seeing this video, it looks like that design element doesn’t work correctly either. Thanks for sharing and I’ll watch out for that.