Lens not fully secure?

Hi, my first post here. I just had a simple question about lens attachment. I recently purchased a 7D (which I am loving) and an L series lens, the 100-400mm. I have been having great results with the lens, but have noticed that there is a slight play between the camera body and the lens. Is this normal? When i mean "play" it's not like i can wrench the entire lens around the camera, it's only mere millimeters back and forth. I am a field biologist so I am concerned that this could cause more dust to accumulate or that the constant minute jarring against the body could eventually throw the lens out of wack. If anyone has a solution or can simply tell me this is normal, so I can stop driving myself crazy, would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Michael

I have the same combo and mine has a tiny bit of play also. I had this combo for a year with no problems. Before I had the same lens on a T2i and it had no slop. Could be something about the 7D. I wouldn't worry mine is fine.Terry.

i have the same sort of play with my 100-400 L on my 50D. so guess its not just limited to the 7D.

my other lenses are tight and a perfect fit.

strange! works a treat, although my first thought was will this play cause problems in the future? like wearing out the mounts etc.

I have the same play with my 7D and 80-200. POTN members said it was normal for that combo. I suspect the same for your circumstance.

Thanks for all of the information, I'm starting to feel a little more at ease

Stop worrying. I've had some lenses that mount extremely tight, and others with a litlle slop. I just chalk it up to variances in manufacturing tolerances.

Birdwatcher86 wrote in post #12468869
Hi, my first post here. I just had a simple question about lens attachment. I recently purchased a 7D (which I am loving) and an L series lens, the 100-400mm. I have been having great results with the lens, but have noticed that there is a slight play between the camera body and the lens. Is this normal? When i mean "play" it's not like i can wrench the entire lens around the camera, it's only mere millimeters back and forth. I am a field biologist so I am concerned that this could cause more dust to accumulate or that the constant minute jarring against the body could eventually throw the lens out of wack. If anyone has a solution or can simply tell me this is normal, so I can stop driving myself crazy, would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Michael

By play can I assume you mean rotational, able to rotate it back and forth just a bit? If so, yep, I experience the same thing across a broad range of camera and lenses. Doesn't seem to impact performance in any way.

My 7D and 70-200 2.8 IS has a little play too. I've read about it on the net and apparently is normal... Don't like the feel of it though!

yep...all perfectly normal
As has been stated, there's no need to worry or send it to Canon.
It's just the normal rotational "play" the lens has on the pin that locks it in place.
There has to be some tolerance between the pin and the recessed hole that it fits into otherwise it would be too tight a fit and difficult to get the lens to lock.
Compare the diameter of the pin in the camera mount and the hole on the lens mount and you'll notice that the hole is bigger than the pin. The difference between the two equates to the rotational play. Some lenses have more than others.
All perfectly normal.

a few more threads
https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=rotat​ional+play
https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=rotat​ional+play
https://photography-on-the.net …highlight=rotat​ional+play

You're ok

My 100-400mm had 1/8" play on a 20D since day one.
I have heard that on the great whites this play is to allow for expansion and contraction.

It's fine. If you look at the detente on the lens, that the lock pin mates to when you seat the lens, you'll see that it's ever so slightly oblong. The way it rests when locked in place, that oblong shape gives it that tiny bit of "wiggle" that you're feeling.

Believe me, that lens is ON there, until you hit the physical release button

If you had no slop or free play at all in the mount surfaces even the tiniest particle would cause binding leading to panic.

Recently noticed this same kind "play" on my 17-40 and 50D a couple days ago. Really freaked me out because I noticed it only when trying to get the lens hood OFF the lens. Because you have to twist it OPPOSITE the way you get the lens on the body, it worried me that I might be causing some torque on the mounts. Any word on that theory?

it's fine; but if you're really worried about it, hold onto the lens when placing/removing the hood.