topic Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances in EF & RF Lenses

Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

Mphoto — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 01:19:40 GMT

The lens collar on my RF 200-800 has had a small amount of play in it since day 1. It does what it's supposed to do and does not rotate when tightened, but when you pick it up by the lens foot, you can feel the play. When the collar is loose and able to rotate freely, there is a lot more play.

I use a monopod and a Wimberley WH-100 MonoGimbal, so I am always loosening and tightening it. I have emailed Canon support about it and their answer was that it was designed that way, and as long as it does not rotate when locked, I am good to go and if it gets worse I can always send it in etc....

Does anybody else’s rf 200-800 do the same? If so, any fixes? I tried putting a lens band next to the collar but it did not really do anything. I know its not L glass and I try not to let it annoy me, but it does. I wish the collar was removable so I could put some tape on the inside or use a 3rd party one like the rf 100-500. I have the carepak on it and CPS gold. I don’t really feel like sending it in now because I use it everyday especially now that the weather is getting nicer and my guess is it would come back to me saying it is within tolerances. I will probably end up sending to canon in the fall/winter anyway. I guess for now I will just keep shooting and try to ignore it .

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

shadowsports — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:16:50 GMT

Greetings ,

Sorry you're having an issue with your lens. I own the 70-200, 100-500 and 200-800. The collar's on the first two are solid. No problem tightening and no slippage.

Same goes for the 200-800. Although the collar is not removable, it stays locked in position. I rarely use it to shoot vertically. There is nothing serviceable by you, so I recommend you send it to Canon as you mentioned. It's still a little early, but we're heading into one of the busiest times of the year for service. If you don't send it now then I'd wait till fall.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

Mphoto — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:03:13 GMT

Thank you for the info . I am not sure if i explained it correctly in my original post. When locked I have no rotation at all it does its job but when locked it has small amount vertical play (rocking) that you can feel when you pick the camera up by the lens foot or if I hold the lens and pull the foot you can feel it. And I also asked them about the play when fully loose . Canon support's response when emailed was -

"A very small amount of play or slight rocking in the tripod mount ring, even when the locking knob is fully tightened, is completely normal and by design for this specific lens model as well as the RF100-500mm. This slight physical tolerance is built in to ensure the collar can rotate smoothly when loosened without binding or scratching the lens barrel. As long as the collar holds the lens securely and prevents it from freely rotating, it is functioning exactly as intended and is perfectly safe to carry by the foot."

"With the collar screws loose we would expect there to be some play between the collar and the lens allowing the collar to move up and down a bit or side to side a bit. As long as the lens and collar aren't fully coming apart, or the lens is still easily moveable when the collar is tightened, it should be okay."

The collars on my EF lens in the past never did this. But according to the people I emailed at canon support this lens is designed that way. I do not know anyone else locally who has one or have a store that sells them nearby to compare mine too so I am not sure if I am on one end of the tolerance and yours might but at the other end. Do other owners of the 200-800 experience this. I do use the collar a lot so maybe I just notice it more. I will probably end up sending it in but it will be fall/winter

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

jrhoffman75 — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:16:33 GMT

Now that you have highlighted it I checked and my 100-500 has a very (emphasis on very) slight rocking when tightened down. I wouldn't have noticed until it was pointed out.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

SignifDigits — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:29:19 GMT

I only notice any rocking or longitudinal "play" on my 200-800 when the locking knob is loosened - none when it is tightened. I have not moved my foot position on the lens a great deal. It is usually being used hand-held with the foot locked in the 4 o'clock position. I've attached it to a monopod and tripod only a few times. I'm assuming it will get some experimental use on an astro mount some clear days this summer, but that hasn't happened yet. I would find any movement in that situation particularly aggravating if it were spoil the shots for stacking. That said, based upon what I'm experiencing with my foot I don't expect that to happen.

This is the same situation on the feet of the EF 70-200 f/28 and RF 70-200 f/2.8 Z that are currently in my possession.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

Mphoto — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:45:56 GMT

Thank you guys for the replies. The rocking when fully tightened on mine is pretty minimal but just enough to bother me. You can only feel it if you pick the camera up by the foot due to the weight of the camera and lens or when carrying it by the foot. I always have to move the collar around when putting my it in my backpack so it fits. I also keep it at the 4 o-clock position when using a strap attached to the foot and handheld. When using the Wimberley MonoGimbal, I keep it loose on it so it can rotate when panning but the play when loose does not effect anything you cannot even feel it on the gimbal. I am constantly tightening and loosing the locking knob between putting it in my backpack and using the gimbal hopefully it does not get worse over time.

It's interesting to see all the tolerance differences . I am sure I am towards the looser end but still within “acceptable tolerances” Its a shame the collar is not user removable. That is pretty much my only gripe with the lens besides that I love using it and it has been my most used lens since getting it.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

TomRamsey — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:28:33 GMT

I have had mine for 18 months now and have not noticed any rocking when secured. I have used it on tripod a few times and was very solid. The rest of the time it is locked to the side, I carry it with the foot often and there is no play.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

FloridaDrafter — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:16:52 GMT

I've had mine [200-800] for about a year and use it 50/50 monopod and hand held. When locked, there is no play in any direction. When unlocked to rotate, there is some wiggle, but it's what I would expect it to be, that is, I don't feel like it's not supposed to be that way... If that makes sense 😁

Newton

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

Jkarl — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 13:08:05 GMT

Mine is brand new and when I checked it at first I noticed a small wiggle but then I gave the locking knob a small extra turn and it tightened up.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

shadowsports — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:01:40 GMT

I'll pull mine out today and check but, I If I recall correctly mine has no movement like Newton's @FloridaDrafter's lens.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

Mphoto — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:53:51 GMT

Thanks everybody for the reply's. I posted a few videos below of what it is doing. The 1st one is with the collar locked and the second one it is loose. I also ran into someone else at one of my birding spots with the 200-800 and his had very little to no play either. I am going to call CPS today and send it in. It is bothering me enough at this point that it's taking some of the fun out of it. It is still under warrant and I have the carepak and CPS gold so might as well use it and have them fix it. I will update this when I get it back.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

TomRamsey — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:31:10 GMT

Wow, definitely get that fixed.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

SignifDigits — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:59:58 GMT

That's a lot looser than mine. I suspect there are setscrews to tighten under the two caps, and that if you loosen them enough the foot comes off. Then the thumbscrew tightens against the set screws (which could even be nylon). Canon can probably adjust the setscrews for you or replace the foot. I suppose it's possible to take those caps off and do it yourself if it isn't covered under warranty. I have no confidence if I were doing that that I'd be successful in removing those caps without destroying them, so, of course I'd not recommend that nor likely try it myself - just thinking out loud. In reality I would have Canon fix it.

Mine is always tightened and locked when I carry it. I would recommend that it stay in a locked position whenever possible as I'm guessing not doing so will cause more play with those setscrews over time.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

Mphoto — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:43:33 GMT

Shipped the lens out on Monday CPS got it on Tuesday and it shipped out from canon today and should have it tomorrow.

"Repair Complete Comment:

Your product has been examined and it was found that the tripod mount ring assembly was worn causing the part to become loose and rattle. The tripod mount ring assembly was replaced. Mechanical, and electrical, adjustments were also carried out to ensure best focus. Product functions were confirmed. Thank you for choosing Canon!"

I am not sure how the assembly was worn the lens was only a few months old. Hopefully it is pretty tight when I get it tomorrow.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

TomRamsey — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:44:54 GMT

Well, they had to say something, it was probably not assembled right. Good thing is they fixed it and calibrated the focus, and best of all, did it quickly.

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

Mphoto — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:18:37 GMT

Quick update. Got the lens back Friday, 5 days door to door for CPS which was awesome. Even though they replaced the collar it still has some rocking like my first video with the knob fully tightened. It's a little better than before but it's still there. With the knob fully loose and able to rotate the wiggle is about the same as my second video at least I can't tell the difference . I used the lens Friday and all weekend and my keepers look as good or better than before so no complaints there. I am not sure if sending it in actually accomplished anything besides giving me a little more peace of mind that everything is within spec and now I have a box with some custom shaped foam for the lens in case I need to send it back to CPS in the future. Oh well I guess this is the way my copy is. It does not affect the actually lens and I am probably more hyper aware of it now more than ever. I just got to keep using it and taking photos with it until it I forget it even bothered me. 🙂

Re: Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

SignifDigits — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 11:58:07 GMT

Thank you for reporting back. I hope that it keeps working and you can forget about it. Happy shooting!