topic Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating? in EF & RF Lenses

RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

hoot24 — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 21:10:46 GMT

So I finally received the new Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens. Took it for a test run and shot about 40 photos. Everything seemed good. Purchased a clear lens filter and installed it. During installation of the filter, I noticed inside the lens that the components seemed to be floating and rattling around. Not just a little bit, like 1/4" or more, while the lens was off the camera. Re-installed the lens on the camera (EOS-R) and attempted to "re-park" the IS, but nothing seemed to change after I took the lens off. The same interior movement with the insides banging around. Is this normal? I can't imaging this is good for wear and tear on the lens. The insides will be banging around just while walking down the street. Anyone else notice this? Or is my lens defective? Just never had this happen before with a lens. Thanks.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

Waddizzle — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 22:31:39 GMT

The mirrorless bodies have an option to retract the lens on power down. Some DSLRs have it, too, but all Canon mirrorless bodies seem to have it. Also, documentation says you should power down the cameras prior to changing lenses, particularly with lenses that have IS because IS is always active.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

hoot24 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 00:53:06 GMT

Pretty much understand what you are saying, but that's not it. The only time the floating parts stop floating is when the lens is on the camera and the camera is powered on. I have never seen this kind of IS movement in a lens before. It literally bangs against the interior lens side walls when "jiggled" a bit. Maybe it's normal, i just want to make sure..... these lens are not cheap.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

Waddizzle — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 03:24:45 GMT

@hoot24 wrote:
Pretty much understand what you are saying, but that's not it. The only time the floating parts stop floating is when the lens is on the camera and the camera is powered on. I have never seen this kind of IS movement in a lens before. It literally bangs against the interior lens side walls when "jiggled" a bit. Maybe it's normal, i just want to make sure..... these lens are not cheap.

Of course, you should contact Canon. The R5 and R6 have been know to rattle with power turned off.

I think some lenses seem like they need to be "parked" for lack of a better term.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

hoot24 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 07:41:26 GMT

I did call Canon and they sugguested I try the "parking" routine. Did not work. Components continued to rattle around when the lens is on or off camera. The Canon rep was very helpful though as they actually had a copy of this same lens in front of them when I spoke with them. The rep's response was, "yeah that really does move around a lot". So at this point I am still not certain about whether or not this "floating" that I am seeing is expected or not from this lens.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 16:48:02 GMT

I have no idea what is normal but you have a year to find out. Make sure you register it. Use it as you normaly would and don't worry, for a year anyway. In the tenth or eleventh month have a C&C done on it by Canon.

BTW, I do hope you got a filter equal to the level of the lens? If not check out B+W protecto filters. They will not interfere with the IQ ro AF ability of the lens, others might!

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

hoot24 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 17:20:48 GMT

Yep, registered it right away. And good point, i will just use the lens and keep an eye on it for 9 months or so.

And yes, B+W filters for me.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 18:00:37 GMT

The C&C later on will cost you a little, but on such an expensive lens it will be worth it and give you peace of mind. Now go enjoy it.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

hoot24 — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 22:14:49 GMT

Follow up from Canon support:

Dear Sir,
Thank you for writing to us. My name is Exxx and I understand you have questions about the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens and I can assist. It is normal for the components inside the lens to move around. The image stabilization in this lens does not have a "parked" mode. The RF mount lenses use a more advanced image stabilization from the EF lenses. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance. Thank you for choosing Canon.

So there you have it..... Canon says it's "normal". Welp, I sure hope so.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

timjd — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 17:18:29 GMT

Hi Hoot, I had the exact same question/concern and just noticed it over the weekend. Spent some time with Canon support (phone) this morning and didn't really get any clarity. I've owned many EF lenses and also the RF 24-105......none of them have had this much wobble/play in them (including those with IS). It seems odd, but at the same time when attached to the camera, and powered on, that internal component seems to firm up. So I guess while out hiking around you just have to leave the camera on, or accept that it is going to wobble. For a $2500 lens this seems like a significant flaw.

I prepared this graphic/image to help illustrate, but oddly Canon support can't accept an photo while on the phone. The yellow line highlights the element that is wobbling, and the red circle the fixed portion it should be concentric too (or reasonably concentric).

Would love for a lens expert to confirm whether this is normal or a warranty item.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

jrhoffman75 — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 01:10:52 GMT

Lens Rentals | Blog

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

kvbarkley — Mon, 25 Jan 2021 16:16:01 GMT

I was just about to point that out...

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

hoot24 — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 09:47:53 GMT

Good to see Lens Rentals review...... Makes me feel a little bit better about what I am seeing inside my lens.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

timjd — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 13:09:01 GMT

Me too hoot...although I still think it was an odd design decision. I guess warranties will start coming up next fall when the first crop of these went out, so there will be time to see if this problem evolves with us.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

shellbo6901 — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 16:18:41 GMT

I just noticed this last night and was wondering if overtime it would wear down the lens. I bought it knowing I would eventually use it during a lot of hiking so imagine my face when I looked into the lens and saw that not only does it move but it moves a lot when not in use.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

timjd — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 17:03:40 GMT

That's the million dollar question. Or $2000+ question anyway.

Moving parts and Electronics have a long history of failing.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

shellbo6901 — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 02:40:12 GMT

Yes but should they be moving?! I’ve seen some say that it shouldn’t do it during use or when connected to the camera and it’s on, but it still does. Seems like if they are moving any without actually changing a setting that it isn’t correct. What’s keep it from moving when you press the shutter?! Of course there has to be movement at some point especially for stabilization but I assume that is purposely moved not just because in storage it is tilted one way or another. Just assuming it should be in one position when not in use. Kind of like the project you do as a kid of how to safely drop an egg without cracking it, I just want to make sure it’s supposed to be like that. I can’t physically be on one end of the camera and the end of the lens to look inside, just seems like all the time movement defeats the purpose of needing to be still when shooting fast moving subjects(etc).

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

jrhoffman75 — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 12:01:42 GMT

"I can’t physically be on one end of the camera and the end of the lens to look inside, just seems like all the time movement defeats the purpose of needing to be still when shooting fast moving subjects(etc)."

Set the camera up with 10-second self timer so you can look in the lens.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

kvbarkley — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 14:07:25 GMT

It only moves when no power is applied.

Re: RF 100-500mm Lens Components Floating?

timjd — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 14:33:33 GMT

Like I was saying in an earlier post I never got a satisfactory answer from Canon tech support. After a lengthy phone call where I explained the situation, and shared the image I put on here, they still couldn't confirm or deny that it is normal or a problem.

I've got about 6 months left on the waranty so just plan on watching it and monitoring forums like this.

It would sure be great if Canon could address this though. State this is normal, and maybe extend the warranty for any issues related to this that might develop after 3-4 years of use.