topic Re: Accidental Lens Release in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 5D Mark III lenses come off too easily

michaelgirman — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 14:12:43 GMT

My 24-105L just fell off my 5D mkIII and rolled into the Seine. The lens release button is way too sensitive and it is so easy to accidentally unlock without realizing it. I went to twist the zoom ring and the lens rotated and dropped off. Blogs are full of compaints of this occurance on mkii's.

This is definitely a design flaw. It's not user error. The button should be relocated or made to require more force to release or have a detent position.

It's a shame that you have to gaffer tape a $2300 lens to a $2000 camera. Be forewarned.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

Julius — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:03:45 GMT

Thanks for posting your issue in our Forum. We suggest you send your camera and lens to be checked by Canon to make sure everything is working properly. You can start this process by CLICKING HERE and following the instructions on the form.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

schmegg — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:38:03 GMT

@michaelgirman wrote:

My 24-105L just fell off my 5D mkIII and rolled into the Seine. The lens release button is way too sensitive and it is so easy to accidentally unlock without realizing it. I went to twist the zoom ring and the lens rotated and dropped off. Blogs are full of compaints of this occurance on mkii's.
This is definitely a design flaw. It's not user error. The button should be relocated or made to require more force to release or have a detent position.
It's a shame that you have to gaffer tape a $2300 lens to a $2000 camera. Be forewarned.

Unfortunately, your warning arrived too late for me.

Just three days before your post I had the same thing happen.

The 5D3 was mounted on a 100-400L which was attached to a Black Rapid strap via the lens's tripod mount. As I was walking along a bitumen road at a motorsport event, I had the very unpleasant experience of being overtaken by my 5D3 body as it bounced down the road - detached from the lens.

I can only imagine that the lens release button was bumped by my hip which released the lens - the rest, as they say, is history.

This has never happened with my 7D, which has been carried in the same manner by me at many events over the past three and a half years.

I feel the lens release button on the 5D3 is overly large and too easy to access and depress - allowing accidentas like this to occur. I agree with your sentiments and hope that Canon consider this in the future. There is no doubt that this button is larger and easier to access than the one on the 7D and this is probably the main reason why this has occurred to us both.

As a footnote, my 5D3, apart from some nasty scrapes into the mag alloy, works perfectly. But I was very lucky! (if having your 5D3 bounce down the road in front of you could, in any way, be considered "lucky"!)

Re: Accidental Lens Release

HDCamTeam — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:13:30 GMT

Sad to know your bad experience and 100% agree with you.

We never understood WHY the lens release button is so BIG in most Canon DSLRs. There is no reason to make it so big and easy to press.

We're allways concerned about accidenal pressing it, and take lot of care to avoid it, which is stressing and distracting.

Canon should make it smaller and implement a SECURE LOCK...

Re: Accidental Lens Release

JoeDavid — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:08:32 GMT

Sounds to me like you aren't making sure the lens mount click locks when attaching the lens in the first place. I've owned various Canon bodies and lenses since the EOS film line was introduced back in the mid 80's and have never had a body come off whether hiking with it slung over a shoulder or being carried by the tripod...

Re: Accidental Lens Release

digital — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 12:19:24 GMT

Me neither. I guess it coud happen but that release takes a but of pressure to push in and it is somewhat hiddin.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

schmegg — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:26:35 GMT

@JoeDavid wrote:
Sounds to me like you aren't making sure the lens mount click locks when attaching the lens in the first place. I've owned various Canon bodies and lenses since the EOS film line was introduced back in the mid 80's and have never had a body come off whether hiking with it slung over a shoulder or being carried by the tripod...

I can see how you might think that, but I can assure you that I always make sure the lens is locked in place. In this case the camera had been mounted on this lens for about 4 hours. I truly doubt it would have lasted that long, nor would I have not noticed it being loose during that period as I was using it all the time.

I've been shooting Canon cameras since I started with my AE-1 (not the P version) over 35 years ago, and, like you, I've never had this happen before either.

I've also never had a Canon camera with such a large and prominent lens release button.

If you have a 5D3 - then just watch it a bit. I know I will from now on! I doubt I'll be lucky enough to pick it up out of the dust and have it work perfectly again next time!

Or - igonre me. Your call.

I just felt compelled to add my voice here, as what happened to me is not good and I just think it would be good if Canon considers this in the future. My feeling is that the LR button has grown a little bit too easy to use. It really should be something that can't be done accidentally.

Believe me, I'm not bashing the camera - it's a great body for sure. Though I do wish it didn't have all those gouges in the mag alloy that it does now.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

ebiggs1 — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:11:16 GMT

I also started in the 'early' days with a A1 and a F1n. Then you know, the lens release is on the lens rather than the body. It has to be purposely pushed to release the lens.

But I think it just an unfortunate accident that you suffered the unintentional release. I have been playing around with my 5D Mk II and it is still a considerable process to release the lens.

Hopefully it will never/not happen to you or any of us, again!

But I think I will keep a more close attention that I really don't at the moment.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

michaelgirman — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 15:30:30 GMT

@JoeDavid wrote:
Sounds to me like you aren't making sure the lens mount click locks when attaching the lens in the first place. I've owned various Canon bodies and lenses since the EOS film line was introduced back in the mid 80's and have never had a body come off whether hiking with it slung over a shoulder or being carried by the tripod...

Joe - I'm 65 years-old. My first Canon was an FTB 35mm. The old lenses were breachlock mounts which had a locking on the lens that needed to be rotated to lock the lens to the camera. I've owned FTB's, A1's, F1's, 20D's, 50D's and a 5D. I never, ever had a lens come loose until the 5D mkiii..

On the new 5D's, I know that I've locked the lens because the lens won't exchange data with the body if it's not seated.

I have noticed the lens come unlocked when I've got the camera up to my eye and I'm swtiching between portrait and landscapes orientations. I hold camera/lens the same way as I did in the early 1970's. I'm saying the button is too big and too sensitive. It unlocks way too easily.

The problem isn't with the way I hold the camera or that I don't check to see that the lens is locked. The problem is a design flaw with that lens release button. I've had the camera back to factory service and they say it's ok.

Be forewarned.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

HDCamTeam — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:51:08 GMT

I personally double check the lens is mounted correctly, obviously hearing the click.

But the button is too large for the purpose. There is no reason to be that way and has no secure lock. It's a matter of common sense design.

There are some other potential big issues in current Canon DSLR design (like the wheel on the battery grip which is made of plastic instead of metal), but that's a different problem.

We all hope Canon takes this into account and improves the design, since it's very easy and imoprtant.

They have implemented a Secure Lock for the rear wheel on the 5D Mark III, why not implementing similar lock on an even more important thing like Lens Mount?

Sometimes there are inconsistent design decisions...

Re: Accidental Lens Release

SkyStrike — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 14:33:33 GMT

I must really agree that the lens release button is TOO EASY TO DEPRESS.

Just days ago, I had a close one with my 70-200 on my 5d3. I was using black rapid mounted to the 5d3. I have a habit of keeping my hands on my lens/body while walking. And this time, while walking, I felt that my lens was loose and to my horror, the lens actually turned and the lens got released.

Thank god I was holding on to the lens or else it will be smashing straight down into the concrete.

And it NEVER happened on my 500D.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

dcphoto — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 13:43:05 GMT

My new 24-105 STM just fell off my 5DMkIII for no apparent reason halfway through a 3000-image shoot. I know where the release button is. Fell 4 ft onto asphalt driveway at the White House, landed on lens mount, small dents, seems to work, but this is way uncool design. Exposed the rear element and the sensor etc to pollen. I think the Canon UX engineering team needs more coffee.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

suemoto — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 16:32:00 GMT

I just had a second experience with the lens falling off from my Canon 5DM3. I agree with other comments on this forum, that the lens release button spring is too light and too easily depressed that may cause a situation waiting to happen.

First of all, let me say, thanks to all for contributing to this issue! It's for certain, as a professional, an embarrasing and costly experience to have a lens fall off your camera! ,,,and to say the least, without explitives!

I've come to realize how it could have happen. Here's my take on it. I hold the camera body with my right had and control the lens with my left. So happens the large and ultra (subjective) sensitive lens release button is in the pathway of my thumb on my left had when rotating the lens for adjustments. When rotating the lens, you can easily depress the button to unlock the lens.

That's what I have discovered. You can easily try it and see what can happen if your thumb is low to the body and riding on the release button.

I'm going to call the Canon Service Center to see if a stronger spring can be installed. Surely, they must be able to do this!

I know there are springs in various spring (pound) weights being manufactured. If Canon can't do it, I need to find a suitable spring and have it installed by someone who can. Cheaper than loosing a lens!

Re: Accidental Lens Release

RobertTheFat — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:02:32 GMT

@suemoto wrote:
I just had a second experience with the lens falling off from my Canon 5DM3. I agree with other comments on this forum, that the lens release button spring is too light and too easily depressed that may cause a situation waiting to happen.

First of all, let me say, thanks to all for contributing to this issue! It's for certain, as a professional, an embarrasing and costly experience to have a lens fall off your camera! ,,,and to say the least, without explitives!

I've come to realize how it could have happen. Here's my take on it. I hold the camera body with my right had and control the lens with my left. So happens the large and ultra (subjective) sensitive lens release button is in the pathway of my thumb on my left had when rotating the lens for adjustments. When rotating the lens, you can easily depress the button to unlock the lens.
That's what I have discovered. You can easily try it and see what can happen if your thumb is low to the body and riding on the release button.

I'm going to call the Canon Service Center to see if a stronger spring can be installed. Surely, they must be able to do this!
I know there are springs in various spring (pound) weights being manufactured. If Canon can't do it, I need to find a suitable spring and have it installed by someone who can. Cheaper than loosing a lens!

Reading that, I wondered if it could happen to me, so I got out my 5D3 and checked. What I found was that when I grab the zoom ring on my 24-105, my fingers are above the lens and my thumb is below it. Holding it that way, my thumb isn't close to the button. When I tried holding it the other way (fingers on the right of the lens, thumb on the left), it was. Maybe the solution is to change the way you hold the lens.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

suemoto — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 19:59:07 GMT

Thanks Bob, Yes, you're correct in suggesting changing hand position away from the button would eliminate the posssibility of a accidentally touching it. We well all need to be careful about hand position on the lens. But it troubles me to have to think about it.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

TCampbell — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 20:06:57 GMT

I always hate to have these sorts of posts because the blame is solidly on the person using the camera and not on the camera nor on it's designers. This is one of those "Hey! You're doing it wrong, dummy!" conversations.

If you are "accidentally" detaching your lens, it's because you are holding the camera incorrectly. But there's good news and BETTER news if you suffer from this issue.

(1) The good news is there is a way to hold the camera such that this accidental lens release could not possibly happen to you.

(2) The BETTER news is that once you learn how to hold the camera, not only will you never need to worry about the lens falling off... you'll ALSO probably notice an improvement in your ability to shoot steady shots at slowerly shutter speeds and improve your photography.

For good solid holding posture, hold the left hand palm-up. If using a short lens, rest the bottom of the camera body in the palm of your left hand. If using a longer lens, you may need to support the UNDERSIDE of the lens with your left hand. Always and "underhand" grip on your left hand -- not an overhand grip (that doesn't "support" the camera for a nice solid, steady shot... that adds weight and makes it less stable.)

But if the camera is held with good technique, no fingers or thumbs are anywhere near the lens release button.

Here are a few videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bn8jqUWNwo

Or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7I6RJthJLws

Or: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDsx3-FWfwk (jump forward to around the 6 minute mark to get the point where he talks about "overhand" vs "underhand" grip).

It's EVEN mentioned in your 5D III instruction manual... see page 43!

Develop good camera-holding habbits and you'll never have a lens "accidentally" fall off... and you'll probably start getting sharper photos when forced to shoot at lower shutter speeds.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

RexGig — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 22:33:24 GMT

I have noticed, reading various forums, that several of these accidental releases have occurred wihen using sling-type straps that affix to the tripod mount. Not that such sling systems cause the lens to release, of course, but the camera presumably is more likely to hang in an orientation that places the lens release button in a position to be more-easily touched unintentionally. I reckon the sling is a small part of a "perfect storm" of factors.

I remember one post that described how the user was able to carefully observe, as he walked, with the camera hanging by the sling, the lens release button being bumped by his hip, repeatedly.

I am not "slamming" any product, be it camera or carry system, and occasionally use a sling-type strap, myself, though I take extra care to make sure it does not hang in a way that could affect the lens release button.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

schmegg — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 23:39:56 GMT

"Develop good camera-holding habbits and you'll never have a lens "accidentally" fall off... and you'll probably start getting sharper photos when forced to shoot at lower shutter speeds."

Oh please!

Go back and read my post Tim - because, clearly, you didn't.

This thread is about an over sized and too easily accessed and activated lens release release mechanism.

It's very easy to accidentally release the lens, and this is NOT a good thing. If Canon are made aware of this, they MIGHT do something about it when they develop the next body.

In my case, the button was not depressed by me 'holding it wrong' (LOL) but whilst the camera was attached to my Black Rapid and just hanging against my body.

Now, you can say I'm not carrying my camera properly if you want, but, given that others have had similar experiences, whilst others have had this issue due to 'awkward handedness', then I maintain it's a design issue.

A lens release mechanism should, by design, only be able to be activate due to very specific actions - not accidentally!

I doubt there'd be too many in the field of ergonomics that would agree that the design is fine and blame the user for 'not holding it right' or 'not carrying it right'. And you're attempt to imply that there isn't an issue does not help at all.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

TCampbell — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 00:49:34 GMT

@schmegg wrote:
"Develop good camera-holding habbits and you'll never have a lens "accidentally" fall off... and you'll probably start getting sharper photos when forced to shoot at lower shutter speeds."

Oh please!

Go back and read my post Tim - because, clearly, you didn't.

This thread is about an over sized and too easily accessed and activated lens release release mechanism.

It's very easy to accidentally release the lens, and this is NOT a good thing. If Canon are made aware of this, they MIGHT do something about it when they develop the next body.

It's not oversized (try using these buttons while wearing gloves in the winter sometime... you'll be lobbying that Canon should make EVERY button bigger.). It takes a bit pressure to push that button -- it's not a weak spring. Also it's in a position where your fingers should never be. It's easily accessed only when you want to access it. It's not even remotely close to anything else you should be pressing with your finger (it's not like you could intend to press one button, but press the lens release button by mistake.) I *also* own and use a Black Rapid strap. I'm not sure if you wear anything else on the side of your body where the camera rests (I do not. The camera is resting against my hip -- so there's really nothing that could push the button.)

I can't know what ultimately allowed your lens to be released uninentionally (and in your post, you make it clear that you don't know how it happened either.) But if we consider where the button it is located... it's it's in a "corner" where the body and lens meet. If the camera is resting at your hip, then the side of the body is bumping your hip and the lens is bumping your hip, but that button is in a crease/corner area where it's really going to be difficult for something to bump it accidentally. I have to wonder if something didn't disengage the button earlier (the locking pin was already released) and it was just a matter of time before the body was able to rotate enough (I'm guessing you used the lens' tripod mounting foot and not the body's tripod mount point) to finally fall off.

You can argue that the button is defective -- but there are literally millions of Canon DSLR shooters who do not have this problem.

You're certainly free to make suggestions to Canon and I would be the last person to try to stop you... BUT... if you want to not have cameras crashing to the ground, you might consider (using rational-thought... not emotional-thought) how this might have happened and how you could prevent it from happening in the future.

No one else can control how your camera is handled apart from you. You, and your ability to control how your camera is handled, are your own best resource to avoid such unpleasant outcomes in the future.

Re: Accidental Lens Release

schmegg — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:13:42 GMT

It's not oversized (try using these buttons while wearing gloves in the winter sometime... you'll be lobbying that Canon should make EVERY button bigger.).

Good point and I can agree with that.

It takes a bit pressure to push that button -- it's not a weak spring.

But it can be depressed quite easily by accident. And, to my mind, that is poor design or poor implementation - particularly as it's never occurred before with my previous bodies.

Also it's in a position where your fingers should never be.

It's not just fingers - it can happen whilst it's being slung beside your body and it could easily happen during transit too.

Frankly, I can undertsand you being a bit skeptical if it hasn't happened to you. And I would never wish it upon anyone - even the skeptics such as yourself.

But the fact is, the lens can be accidentally released. It's happened to me and probably cut the resale value of my body to about a third of what it should be. I was lucky though - it could have been much worse!

Quite honestly, I find it unfortunate that you should make excuses for what is, obviously, a problem for some. Reeks of 'fanboyism' to me.

If you don't think it's a problem, then there are people here to tell you it is.

Thanks so much for the pointer. Do you think I have just continued to ignore this?

In fact, despite using Canon cameras for over thirty years without this occurring before - it has now happened on three occasions with the 5D3. But, of course, after the first time, I have discovered it before any damage occurred because I now continually check it.

So I find it dismissive at best that you should attempt to suggest that it's purely my fault that this is occurring. Oh - and the others too, of course.

Did you stop to consider that, perhaps, the spring tension is not consistent between bodies? Maybe yours has a stronger spring than mine of something?