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Thread: Sticky Lens Collar on Canon 500/4

  1. #1
    Danny J Brown
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    Default Sticky Lens Collar on Canon 500/4

    Does anybody have a reasonable alternative to sending my 500/4 to Canon Repair for a sticky lens collar. I was thinking of using some of the oil that came with my Benelli Super Black Eagle but I assume that would be a very bad idea. Over the last few days it suddenly became so tight that I'm afraid I'm going to snap off my new Mark IV when I try to turn it on the Wimberley. It was fine last winter, even in the coldest of weather. Unfortunately, it is a month out of warranty! I'm hoping for some relief from Canon. By the way Canon Repair Service has been amazing over the years in my experience. I just hate to ship my equipment back and forth......oh, and I hate spending money.:) Thanks.

    DB

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    Whatever you do, don't try putting any oil to it ! Your problem is in the collar bearings, more then likely a bearing has worked it's way out of place.Unfortunately I would reccomend sending it to Canon and have them replace the bearings. Since it is only a month out of warranty I'm willing to bet they will cover the cost.
    I did this repair on a 400/2.8 IS that was well out of warranty. I actually sourced a much higher quality bearing from a company called Boca Bearings and replaced them myself. Never had a problem with it again. The 400's are notorious for this due to the amount of weight in front of the collar.

    Scott

  3. #3
    Danny J Brown
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    Thanks Scott.....I was just joking about the oil.:) I hope Canon will give me a break because the lens is so new. I saw the series at your website or another (with photographs) on how to replace the bearings but my wife told me "absolutely not" because she knows there will be bearings rolling all over the living room when I get ahold of them. She said I should spend my time working on the tractor shed that I backed into this morning at 4:30 a.m. when I was leaving to photograph pelicans.

    Thanks for the info and I'll wait to hear Canon's response. Shipping wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for all that insurance I have to pay.

    DB

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    Hey Danny, Sounds like the wife knows what she's talking about.:)


    Scott

  5. #5
    Lynn Evans
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    http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=730062

    Link where another owner had the same problem that I answered.

    My 500 had the same problem. I removed the tripod foot and discovered that a small screw and washer had come loose and was floating around inside. There are four of them. I believe they are used for the four detents that the collar has when it is rotated. I reinstalled the washer and screw and checked the other three. It has been over a year and no more problems with the lens. It is easy to check by removing the foot and checking the screws. Be careful because they are very small, might be hard to find if dropped. Hope this helps. Lynn

  6. #6
    BPN Viewer Dave Leroy's Avatar
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    Isn't that nice.

    My 500mm had a couple sticky spots when rotating in the collar. One in particular was a nuisance.

    I read Lynn's comments and took off the tripod foot. Sure enough two of the mentioned screws were loose and after tightening the lens rotates more freely than ever.

    The screws are 90 deg. apart and I guess the two loose ones just touched something as I rotated.

    So thank you very much.

    Dave

  7. #7
    Lynn Evans
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    You are welcome Dave, I am glad it helped you.
    Lynn

  8. #8
    Danny J Brown
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    I got an email from Lynn right after I shipped the lens to Canon ($256.00 for UPS Two-Day Air w/Insurance). At least I'll know what to try next time without too much fear of further damage. Thanks again, Lynn.

    DB

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