f 500 tripod collar locked

[gail bisson]

I took my 500 mm out this am and the tripod collar has locked and will not budge.
I am hoping I can fix this myself. Any ideas?
gail

[Chris Martinez]

Does the little knob that holds the position still loosen and tighten??

[gail bisson]

hi Chris,
The knob still goes forward and backwards
Gail

Does the little knob that holds the position still loosen and tighten??

[Chris Martinez]

hmmmm.... I wonder if something involved in the tightening of the collar, like a piece of felt or rubber, migrated to somewhere it shouldn't have.
The little knob obviously pushes up(or pushes something else up) against the lens to prevent it from rotating. Maybe when you "loosen" the knob something is still pushing up against the lens. Keeping it locked tight.
Sorry this is all speculation. Probably doesn't help much

This is terrible news. I'd lend you my 600 but you're a little too far away.

[Doug Brown]

That's a drag Gail. I'm not sure what's causing the problem, but I would avoid using WD-40 to loosen it up. Hope you get it fixed!

[Mike Gallo]

Gail, check this out:

http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB3/v...aring#p1691973

[gail bisson]

[Hi Mike and thanks to all who sympathized with my plight!
I read ever word on the link that you gave me Mike. Unfortunately, the step by step video from the guy from outdoorshooter is not available.
I will have to bite the bullet and send it in to Canon. They said it would cost ~ $200.00 to fix and I had to prepay! the lens is no longer under warranty.
The man I spoke to said it was likely a broken screw.I will let you know what the repair actually is when I get the lens back.
the timing could't be worse as I am expecting our piping plover pair to hatch their babies late next week. aaargh...
GailQUOTE=Mike Gallo;814925]Gail, check this out:

http://www.naturescapes.net/phpBB3/v...aring#p1691973[/QUOTE]

[Craig Markham]

Hi Gail,
I had a similar problem with my 500mm and finally took it to a good local camera repair shop (Advance Camera, Portland, Oregon). They found that a screw inside had loosened and fallen inside the collar assembly. I explained that I had an important shoot pending, so they expedited the repair and returned the lens to me restored to good working condition. I've had no further problems with it. Cost $60, and I didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for shipping. I hope you found a way to get your plover shots anyway!

Craig

[Dave Leroy]

My collar sometimes gets a little sticky. I take out the 4 allen screws holding the foot on which opens up a hole into the collar. there are 4 very small screws located 90 deg. to each other around the inside of the collar. Sometimes one will back out a little and start to drag. I tighten up the 4 screws and problem goes away. That is what i would try first.

[Nick Palmieri]

Happened to my 600mm the last day I was in Yellowstone. Brought it to Canon, they said it happens a lot, fixed like new in 2 days, $230.

[Mike Tracy]

Just a thought. I bet if you took it to a good old fashioned jeweler or hardware store they could help out.