Canonman333 Loc: Far Northern End of California

I've been a photographer for many years and never really thought too much about how tightly my L glass lenses mount to the body of my 5D Mark III. However, another photographer friend of mine with a similar camera, voiced concern about the wiggle of his 70 to 200 L glass lens on his camera body. I checked mine and found a similar amount of wiggle. I've found that amount of wiggle to be normal on my Canon equipment, especially with the larger lenses. Now, I am very conscious of the wiggle and wondering what is normal and what is not. If there is wiggle where the lens mounts onto the body, would that not be a weatherseal problem? I have not had any sign of the wiggle affecting the quality of my photographs. Can the lens mount be adjusted so that there is a tighter fit? Is such a loose fit normal on the Canon bodies? What is a normal amount of wiggle? I recall discussing this with someone years ago who told me that a certain amount of wiggle is normal. But the term "loose" is a subjective term and what is loose to one person is not to another. I'm wondering what is normal and if it's a problem if the lens wiggles on the camera. There are no bent pins and everything seems to be fine upon visual examination. There also appears to be no problem with the operation of the camera.

dugole Loc: Matawan, New Jersey

Canonman333 - I am using the same body as you and, with my 300mm L glass, I also get a little bit of wobble. I noticed it a few weeks ago. But the lens/body perform with zero problems so I am not worrying about it. I have to assume that there must me a small tolerance as to fit but it is acceptable by Canon standards - even with "L" glass - so it is acceptable by me. When reading reviews I have noticed there are statements regarding rattle or wobble and it all seems to be expected.

nanaval Loc: Cornwall

I had this problem with my lens (sigma) and when I asked at camera club about it I was told that the screws had come loose on the lens. I tightened them and have had no problems since.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Its mostly just machining tolerances in the mounts and nothing to worry about unless it gets really loose.
The lens mounts are made of brass with a chrome finish. The chrome is actually very thin, but much harder than the brass so it resists wear much better. Once the chrome wears off and you are beginning to see some of the brass color coming through then the speed of the wear will accelerate. I tend to replace lens mounts once the "brassing" shows all around the mount, until then, so long as your electrical contacts are meshing properly, don't let it bother you too much.

Canonman333 Loc: Far Northern End of California

I guess my biggest concern was that in inclement weather, would this not create a bigger potential for moisture to enter the camera and/or lens? One of the advantages of using better equipment is that it should have better protection from the elements. I guess if I haven't had problems in all these years, I shouldn't be too concerned, I suppose.

reindeer Loc: London U.K.

Many years ago i used to use a canon AE1 film camera. I was told by a german camera engineer that" only nikon can compete with our cameras in quality of construction".
To each, his own judgement.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

I have the same issue with my 5D MkIII and Canon 100-400 lens. I'm glad you brought this up. I share your concern. Let's face it, most of our long zoom shots are outdoors and I have the exact same worry of dust, rain, etc. entering the body. I'll take MTShooters advice and check the mount surfaces. Otherwise, my mind is a little more at ease now. But my Tamron 70-200 lens doesn't do this.....hmmmm......

Milt Findley Loc: Southeastern Wisconsin

I noticed this during my recent trip with my Canon 100-400 and my 5D Mklll. I am not worried about weather, as the gasketing is what keeps the water out, and I am not worried about the picture, as the image from the lens onto the sensor is not affected by it. Even so, I was surprised to find it.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

I don't know what's causing the problem. I have a 5D Mk II and have never had a "loose" lens. The longest lens I have used to far is the Canon 70 (or is it 75?) to 150 f/2.8 EF. All Canon EF lenses I have used with this body (and the original 5D body that preceded it) have snapped securely and firmly into place. I can't believe that a loose lens would be normal, but I have only ever used EF lenses with my Canon cameras.

Milt Findley Loc: Southeastern Wisconsin

My 100-400 rotates about 2 degrees, after being locked in, there is no wobble.

insaneo Loc: Byram, ms.

canonman, I also have the 70-200L lens and it is also "loose" on my 1ds mkiii and other canon cameras. No problems with image quality, but can't say about weather as I haven't used it in the rain. I contacted canon about this and of course they said everything was fine, not to worry about it. Who knows!

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Well, you canon guys can relax--I've had the same issues with some of my Nikon lens/body combinations. No image problems, and I've been told it's "normal", but I don't find it all that reassuring!

josephnl Loc: Irvine,, CA

I would think that any wobble would result in at least a small degree of aberration. I think that all lenses are designed so that their optical axes are precisely perpendicular to the sensor or film plane. Whether or not the aberration resulting from an off axis lens is significant or noticeable, I suppose depends upon how much off-axis the lens is. I have no idea whether or not a minimal amount of wiggle/wobble is normal, but it can't be ideal, either optically or for weather-sealing reasons.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Using the same lens on my 5D II & III, I can not replicate a wiggle on either body, mine mount as solid as can be. Maybe one of your mounts has a flaw? It seems to me that this issue would affect shooting in bad weather, as moisture could enter the camera body.

Canonman333 Loc: Far Northern End of California

Sounds as if I need to contact Canon and get some specifics. If some Canon users have equipment with no lens wobble, then why aren't all of them that way? Clearly, common sense seems to indicate that a loose lens is far from being watertight or even water resistant. Does anyone have a suggested phone number for Canon that I could use? Granted, I may be getting a bit anal about all of this but we pay so much for top-of-the-line equipment that we should expect consistency with the product.