Rf 200-800 lens collar annoyances

[Mphoto]

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 .

[Mphoto]

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.

[TomRamsey]

Wow, definitely get that fixed.

[SignifDigits]

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.

[Mphoto]

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.

[TomRamsey]

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.

[Mphoto · Accepted solution]

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. 🙂 

[SignifDigits]

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