Hate the RF100-500 Lens Collar

[tangogal]

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????

[hugebob]

My Canon replacement has failed and it happened right in the field. I'll be contacting Canon again for a replacement. Hopefully, with enough complaints, they'll consider a redesign. The ring on my RF 70-200 has been solid since I bought it some 3 years ago. It's not like they don't have something to work off of. Come on Canon. For you, this isn't rocket science. You have the tech and the know-how. Please fix this.

[CodeTHR33]

My collar was replaced after I had to send the whole lens and collar to Canon under warranty. They may as well have just sent the original collar back to me because I’m still having the same problem. The collar still isn’t tight on the lens despite the knob being tight. It was frustrating to take the lens out of the box, direct from the Canon repair center, check that the collar knob was tight, and then apply just a bit of rotational force to the collar and watch it easily slip.

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

This is very difficult for me to understand. I just used my 70-200 and 100-500 for 12 days straight.  I took the lens collars off a few times for storage and cleaning.  Both operate on almost identical principles. A pin and cam locking mechanism.  I carried both of my lenses using the collars with plates installed as handles and hiked with them for miles.  I did get the 100-500 to rotate in tht collar about 5*, but only after putting significant force on it.  Force I would never typically put on the camera.  At some point I may order some replacement foam inserts, but that would probably be a few years from now.  Each morning before leaving the ship I would check the retention screw on my lens plates, the collar knobs and the eyelet on the bottom of my body for my black rapids wrist strap.  

When properly secured and tightened there's just no way for it to come loose or open.  I also use one or two points of retention when carrying my camera.  For this trip I used a lens plate as a handle and a wrist strap fastened to the bottom of my body.  Other days I used a black rapid sports breathe fastened to the bottom of the body with a secondary string tether to one of the strap mounts.

I probably sound like a broken record, but when you're holding $7,000 of gear in your hands, a wrist strap or any type of retention makes sense.

Collars are about $235, your lens thousands.I 've said this before too.  If the callar on your lens does not lock securely, send it and the lens to Canon for inspection.  Continuing to use a faulty collar is like handing your lens to a juggling circus performer.  

[JWGBIRDNERD]

It is terrible. Right out of the box. Seems quite a few have the problem and Canon is not addressing it. Sending a camera in that is fine to get the collar replaced to have the same fault in return is just wrong. I signed up for this forum because of this issue. I used a Sigma 150-600 for 5 years and it never moved. I see below on a post that you purchased a replacement? Which one was it? I will have to scroll through all of these replies to see if others have mentioned replacement options.  I have only used my lens twice on a ground tripod to shoot ducks at water level and it just spins because of my hand on the camera. Not sure if the design, probably a bad batch(es) that the lock is not tight as it should be or thickness of the collar in casting? I have no faith in Canon or any manufacturer for that matter, in fixing a problem. I hope to get a third-party replacement ASAP, so I can carry it on my side strap for the first time without worry. Thank you for any advice in a replacement collar. 

[tangogal]

It’s the same collar design but this one seems to work. I am very careful using it just the same as I have no confidence in this design. Also it cost me over $200 since my lens was out of warranty when I realized it would not work on a tripod. I usually hand hold the lens. Canon’s old lens collars worked well. Why did they come up with this monstrosity???

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

Its unfortunate you've had so much trouble with your collar.  I have 3.  2 canon and 1 Sigma.  All work normally.  

[Danfaz]

Same here (less the Sigma). I know people hate hearing when other people don't have the same problem, but my 100-500 collar is tight!