topic Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position in EF & RF Lenses

Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

carl_schnurr — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:34:26 GMT

I recently purchased a R6ii wiith an RF 100-500 lens. I plan on getting a 1.4 Extender shortly. I am now looking for a camera backpack.

I suspect I’ll want to use my bag in two different modes.

To store my camera, accessories, and lenses (unmounted from the camera) for storage at home or when travelling; and
I like the idea of being able to place the camera with the 1,4x adapter and RF100-500 lens mounted (extended out and locked at 300mm), so it is ready to shoot when I take it out of the bag. This requires about 15" of bag length. The camera would likely be accessed from the top of the backpack, with the lens pointing down.

Should I even be considering placing the camera with mounted 1.4 Extender and lens locked at 300mm in a camera backpack?. Is the risk of damage to the lens barrel from bumps etc significantly higher when the lens is extended?
Another factor could be that the LOCK position on the barrel doesn't really provide a hard lock.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

Waddizzle — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:53:06 GMT

I always store every zoom lens in its fully retracted position. If the lens has a lock, then I will also look it.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

carl_schnurr — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 01:18:39 GMT

Thanks Waddizzle, that's definitely my preference. For 'Ready to Shoot' in the bag storage, I'd have any extender, and lens mounted to the camera with the lens locked in the retracted position.

Which is why I have to ask about this lens. The the RF100-500 has a weird anomaly that it must be extended more than 300mm in order to attach it to the RF1.4 Extender.

Does this restrict me by not being able to have the camera, lens and extender it in my bag 'Ready to Shoot'?

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

shadowsports — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 13:02:00 GMT

Greetings,

If you're going to store the camera for an extended period of time, I would remove the teleconverter and store the lens fully retracted at 100 mm.

For day trips it's permissible to carry the lens in a pack or holster with the TC installed at 300 mm. The case should have adequate padding and should not subject the lens or mount to torsional forces or excessive vibration beyond what would be normal when hiking or walking.

When zooming just be mindful of the minimum 300 mm focal length. You can zoom freely (carefully) without slamming the lenses internal components against one another. The RF100 500 does not have a lock switch. Don't be afraid to use your gear. It's L series, not delicate and is pretty tough. 🙂

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

carl_schnurr — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 18:01:38 GMT

Thanks Shadowsports

That feels right to me. I’m fairly very much a newbie to the level of care required for L series.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

shadowsports — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 18:51:20 GMT

Nothing special is needed. Keep all of your lenses clean and dry. I purchased a mid size dry cabinet last year and love it. It's not needed in the majority of situations, but I am in NorCal near the ocean. 60 yr old property that I've improved greatly, but it can be cool and damp at times. I like having all my gear in one spot too.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

HikingBob — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 06:16:59 GMT

I agree with the other responses that recommend storing the lens with it retracted.

However, if you really want to store your lens attached to the camera and with the lens extended, the Think Tank Backlight 26L will do what you are wanting to do. I have my R5 with RF 24-105L attached, the 100-500 L (retracted and hood reversed) below it, so the camera and 100-500 attached will fit fine.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

carl_schnurr — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 15:38:29 GMT

When going out on a hike. I could either

Place the unmounted, capped extender, lens and camera in a bag, go for a hike and mount items in the field. Then reverse in the field when shooting is completed, or
At home, mount the items together, retract lens to 300mm, place it in my pack, go hiking and shoot. When finished shooting, place it in my pack until I get back home where I’d disassemble the and store the lens in a retracted position.

Each has its own risk, and I’d like to buy a pack that enables me to do either.

I pretty certain there will be times when conditions (weather, dust, hiking terrain etc) will dictate what is best . But I’m interested in how others view this risk. In general would you

mount/unmount 1.4 x extender in the field to allow you to keep the lens retracted, or
place it all, assembled in your bag with lens extended, until you got back home?

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

HikingBob — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 16:25:19 GMT

My living is hiking and photography (I write about outdoor recreation for a local newspaper, and have also sat on several government boards that oversee local parks), and when I go out for a hike, I have to decide if it's just a hike that may or may not present photo opportunities, or if photography is my primary goal. The latter is usually based on research and recon I've done prior.

If I'm just going out for a "hike" I go light, including for photography, and my hiking gear consists of a R50, and RF 18-150 lens. In my hiking backpack I also carry a short extension tube, in case I want to do closeups, and a small table top sized tripod, a wireless remote, and extra battery and a variable ND filter.

If my main goal is photography, then I'm wearing the bigger ThinkTank bag, which carries a lot of gear, and even then I am paring it down to what I think I'll need for the hike. The length and terrain of the hike also help determine what I will carry with me, and what I don't think I'll need is left at home, or securely stowed in the car.

All that said, the one lens I rarely need is the huge 100-500, unless I plan on doing some bird or wildlife photography. Since I am typically shooting landscapes, I usually carry the R5 with the 24-105 f/4 mounted and also carry the 14-35 f/4. These two lenses get the most use.

The question you have to ask yourself, is how often you do you think you'll need that combo of body+lens+extender at the ready? My experience is that I rarely need the big tele when hiking. But , as they used to say on TV ads, your mileage may vary.

My experience has also been that in normal weather conditions, including the dry dusty southwest where I spend most of my time, a few simple and easy precautions keep my lenses and sensors clean, so I usually don't worry about changing lenses in the field.

So, the TL/DR answer, after posting this long one, is that how you carry the set-up you're considering should be based on the likelihood that you will need that massive arrangement at the instant ready, and the anticipated weather conditions. If you think you'll need to have a big tele instantly ready, then obviously carry everything assembled. Unless the weather is horrific, I wouldn't be too concerned with changing lenses in the field if needed.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

carl_schnurr — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 20:23:49 GMT

Thanks Hiking Bob, everyone's usage varies.

I just upgraded from my camera from a Rebel to R6ii, RF24-70 and RF 100-500; but I'm hoping to be able to take the same type of photos. I only have 2 RF lenses (24-70 and 100-500) so I typically pick one before leaving.

My relevant scenario is when I drive somewhere with my camera, extender and RF100-500 and go for a hike at temperatures of minus 20 with the camera externally mounted to my pack with PD capture clip. When I'm finished, in order to reduce condensation, I place my cold camera (with optics mounted) into a ziploc bag, seal the bag, and then put it into my camera bag. I'd like to feel comfortable doing this without having to assemble/bagging the optics in freezing weather.

My more typical scenario would be similar as above but in the summer. If I'm just putting the camera in a bag and driving home with it on the floor of my car, I'd likely not disassemble it. I would disassemble it if I continued somewhere where my camera could get exposed to damage.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

Ron888 — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 00:28:41 GMT

There's one thing i dont think has been mentioned as yet?
Are there any camera bags where you make custom shaped holes by picking out the foam? If so it would be easy to configure one of those for a camera and lens, where the lens is pointing down but has no pressure on it's nose(held up by the camera body)
I've been intending to shop for such a thing myself -or make one if nothing is available.I'd wear it as a front backpack so the camera could be taken out in a few seconds.
Would that be what you're wanting?

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

HikingBob — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 06:50:47 GMT

Well, there's a whole lot of additional information in your latest reply that you didn't mention earlier, specifically the weather conditions you're planning on being in. 🙄 Knowing this ahead of time would have saved a lot of back and forth on the topic.

Taking into consideration all the new information, then just keep everything together.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

carl_schnurr — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 20:00:57 GMT

Sorry about that HikingBob,

My initial question was focused on what bag to buy. There were a few replies that believed one should keep lens retracted.. I assumed that to be always, and I'd need a different work flow to accommodate. It wasn't until a few more replies before I go a sense that while its good practice, I can apply some judgement to the decision.

Re: Should RF 100-500 be placed into camera bag/backpack in extended position

yesinmorse — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 21:14:48 GMT

Storing a high-precision L-series lens like the RF 100-500mm in an extended position (especially locked at 300mm with a 1.4x Extender) introduces significant mechanical leverage that could lead to mount strain or barrel misalignment if the backpack is bumped. While modern engineering makes these lenses robust, the safest "Life-Ops" practice for long-term durability is to retract the lens to its shortest physical length before placing it in a bag, much like how a recessed LED wall sconce light fixture is designed to sit flush against a surface to avoid accidental impact damage.