Does the EF600mm f/4L USM have a protective front filter?

I'm talking about the original EF600mm, non-IS. I know the later ones definitely have a flat front element that protects the lens elements, but can't find the details on the original. The Canon Camera Museum doesn't say (and doesn't give a block diagram).

I'm considering one that has some marks on the front, but if it does indeed have a flat front element it might be relatively cheap to replace (if they are still available). Any help appreciated.

Madweasel wrote in post #16534509
I'm talking about the original EF600mm, non-IS. I know the later ones definitely have a flat front element that protects the lens elements, but can't find the details on the original. The Canon Camera Museum doesn't say (and doesn't give a block diagram).

I'm considering one that has some marks on the front, but if it does indeed have a flat front element it might be relatively cheap to replace (if they are still available). Any help appreciated.

It also might not even be useful to replace it. Chances are those marks have zero impact on image quality.

ther parts catalog probably doesn't help much, but worth a look anyay:
http://www.micro-tools.net …20600%204.0%20L​%20USM.PDF

Use the damage to talk the price down even further then don;t worry about it unless it's really ghastly.
Likewise, if your serious about either the purchase or the repair, I'd get an actual price. You might find that the cost of replacement is too much,. this info again would be helpful in getting the lens and learning to live with the damage.

Thanks all for responses. joeseph, the parts catalogue, and especially the diagram it includes, does show a flat front piece, though I take the other points, that the marks are probably best used to possibly reduce the already reasonable price, and not really worry about their effect on image quality. I'll be looking at it in the flesh tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Well I went to see it and the marks were not nearly as bad as I'd feared, so no worries about the front element. There is a mark on one of the rear elements (but not the drop-in filter), so I did some tests outside the shop.

This was an extreme test for flare, with a very bright light source and dark background. I certainly don't see any cause for concern here, with only a tiny bit of flare visible towards the bottom centre.

No there is no front filter for 600mm.
My friends customize Tupperware cover to fit as protection when transporting around.

The 600mm non-IS and IS "Mark I" both have a "plain" front element.... some refer to it as a "replaceable plain element", much as they think of the UV filters they stick on their other lenses.

It's part #CN2-1211 in the non-IS version of the lens.

I've heard this described both ways... as a lower cost "protective" element... but also as an actual optical element that serves purposes other than just "protection". I tend to think the latter is true, that it's not really only a protective element.... After all, what would Canon's incentive be, to design a "lower cost" replaceable element? They don't worry about keeping repairs affordable on other items. Why would they worry about doing so for one of the most expensive lenses in their line-up? Not to mention, the latest and most expensive to date - the 600/4 Mark II - no longer has that "plain" element. It's been dropped from all the Mark II lenses, I think.

Anyway, if you can't find a replacement or if the cost of it is too steep and it's merely a protective element you might be able to just remove it and use the lens without it. I suspect that the image quality might be effected, though... i.e. that the "plain" element is more than just a protective piece of glass. I suppose it would be relatively easy to remove it and try it.... can always put it back if IQ drops off without it.