Canon users - help please

[JeffH]

Having been inspired by some of the superb photographs featuring on this site and after many months of research and deliberation I've just 'invested' a couple of grand in upgrading my camera equipment by the purchase of a Canon EOS 30D with EF-S17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lenses.

This is quite a quantum leap from my little Fuji S5000 and the 30D's range of features is quite mind boggling for a Digital SLR newcomer so I expect it will take me several weeks/months to learn its full capabilities and I apologise in advance for any seemingly silly questions appearing on this site!!

Anyway, here's the 1st one - on using the camera for the first time at the weekend I noticed that there is a small amount of sideways movement between the camera body and the lens. It's there with either of the lenses and despite the lenses being fully locked into the mount - is this normal?

I expected the camera and lens to be rock solid but my only previous experience with SLR cameras was with an old screw mount Praktica many years ago and I simply don't know if such movement is normal with bayonet-mount lenses.

I'd be grateful for any advice from the experienced Canon users on this site. Many thanks.

JeffH

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Having been inspired by some of the superb photographs featuring on this site and after many months of research and deliberation I've just 'invested' a couple of grand in upgrading my camera equipment by the purchase of a Canon EOS 30D with EF-S17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lenses.

This is quite a quantum leap from my little Fuji S5000 and the 30D's range of features is quite mind boggling for a Digital SLR newcomer so I expect it will take me several weeks/months to learn its full capabilities and I apologise in advance for any seemingly silly questions appearing on this site!!

Anyway, here's the 1st one - on using the camera for the first time at the weekend I noticed that there is a small amount of sideways movement between the camera body and the lens. It's there with either of the lenses and despite the lenses being fully locked into the mount - is this normal?

I expected the camera and lens to be rock solid but my only previous experience with SLR cameras was with an old screw mount Praktica many years ago and I simply don't know if such movement is normal with bayonet-mount lenses.

I'd be grateful for any advice from the experienced Canon users on this site. Many thanks.

JeffH

I have the 30D and the 17-85 IS and 100-400 IS and I would certainly say that this is not normal. Infact myself and Steve (Fourwings) commented on it at the weekend with some of his friends set up's. They had Bigmas, which showed some movement, but mine is solid as a rock. I would have it looked at.

[GerryNick2]

Hi Jeff

I have a similar set up and can't say that I have noticed any movement as you describe.

Just carried out a test with three lenses and all are near rock solid in the mount. The only movement is if you try to rotate the lense with force and even then the movement is less than half a mm. Certainly no sideways movement.
I would contact Canon under the warranty and get it checked out at a service centre.

Gerry

[matt_xyz]

I have no movement at all between my 400D and 400mm lens. It doesn't sound right to me, I would get it checked out.

Matt

[JeffH]

Thanks Boddie & Gerry - you've confirmed my worst fear and I'm going back to the shop at lunchtime today to check it out and try another body. I'll let you know the result.

Jeff

[JeffH]

and thanks to you also Matt.

[JeffH]

Well folks, having taken my new gear back to the shop (Jessops) at lunchtime today I'm really not sure what to make of it all!

Both the assistant and the manager assured me that the amount of slight movement I had detected between the camera body and the lens is quite normal. To demonstrate this they tried both my lenses on another EOS30D body and one on a 5D - with exactly the same movement!

They also tried my body with some other lenses - again with exactly the same slight rotational movement!

I also spoke to a guy at work (a very experienced photographer and winner of 'Amateur Photographer' competitions and, as it happens, a fellow EOS30D owner) who said his kit also has this slight movement.

Despite all this reassurance I'm still a little concerned as neither Boddie nor Matt appear to have experienced this problem , if it is indeed a 'problem'.

Forgive me but perhaps I didn't explain the 'problem' very well - rather than what I previously described as 'sideways movement' it is better described, as Gerry indicated, as a very slight rotational movement whilst holding the camera body firmly and gently rotating the lens (though with hardly any force in my case).

Boddie & Matt - are you sure there's absolutely no such movement on your set ups?

I'm really sorry to go on about this but having spent £2k on this new equipment, if this slight movement is a problem (or even a potential future problem) I'd rather try to get it sorted out with the shop now than have to get involved in warranty issues later on.

Thanks again for your further help.

Jeff

[matt_xyz]

Hi Jeff,

I've tested mine again, and actually I can now feel a very slight bit of movement. If I hold the lens in my left hand I try to twist the camera with my right hand there is a very slight bit of movement. So maybe this isn't uncommon. Although new, my kit seems to be working fine so it doesn't seem to cause any problems. Sorry for worrying you earlier!

Matt

[Boddie]

Hi Jeff

I concur with GerryNick2.

There is probably half a mil rotational but certainly no lateral movement. I have just tested on my 30D with all lenses - 17-85 IS, 105 Siggy macro, 12-24 Siggy macro and 100-400 IS. Half a mil rotational is apparent on all, as is the case on the 400D.

You would have to go out of your way to realise this movement and it has certainly never caused me any probs.

You have a good rig there mate. The 30D and 100-40 is a lovely combo. You will enjoy the results. I have just put the 17-85IS on the 400 and was really pleased with todays results on both.

Cheers

Andrew

[Neil]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Having been inspired by some of the superb photographs featuring on this site and after many months of research and deliberation I've just 'invested' a couple of grand in upgrading my camera equipment by the purchase of a Canon EOS 30D with EF-S17-85 f/4-5.6 IS USM and EF100-400 f/4.5-5.6L IS USM lenses.

This is quite a quantum leap from my little Fuji S5000 and the 30D's range of features is quite mind boggling for a Digital SLR newcomer so I expect it will take me several weeks/months to learn its full capabilities and I apologise in advance for any seemingly silly questions appearing on this site!!

Anyway, here's the 1st one - on using the camera for the first time at the weekend I noticed that there is a small amount of sideways movement between the camera body and the lens. It's there with either of the lenses and despite the lenses being fully locked into the mount - is this normal?

I expected the camera and lens to be rock solid but my only previous experience with SLR cameras was with an old screw mount Praktica many years ago and I simply don't know if such movement is normal with bayonet-mount lenses.

I'd be grateful for any advice from the experienced Canon users on this site. Many thanks.

JeffH

Hi Jeff
I at first agreed with the other replies but now it has been said that it is a rotation movement then I must say there is the same movement with my lenses also. Nice camera and I like the 100 400 lens.

Neil