My girlfriend..ugh..

... But back to your actual question about the little wiggle in the fully extended lens...

That is normal. I cannot gauge how much play you have, but the canons, sigmas, and tamrons all have the slightest little bit of wiggle in them. That is exactly why i have tried whenever possible to move to internal zoom lenses (but it is not completely possible)

Go to your local store and ask to see if they have a new or used one to check yours against. the BNIB one may have almost no wiggle, but you can at least set your mind at ease.

If it works right and focus is spot on, dont sweat it. These things aren't quite as fragile as people make them out to be. I have been very happy with the way most equipment takes a "beating". This stuff is generally pretty durable.

Jdumas wrote in post #5245575
There is now a rule she does not touch my camera stuff period.

It sounds like there needs to be a rule that you zip up. Period.

If the gear is that important to you, take responsibility for it. If nothing else, it's good practice. It's cheap enough to get a new girlfriend, not so much with a wife.

Claim on the insurance, get what you reeeally wanted in the first place, and thank your girl friend for the upgrade.

ed rader wrote in post #5245545
i wouldn't own a bag that was an accident waiting to happen.

And how do you pull that one off? Thats why they're called "accidents." I have left my bag open while I shot, and when I picked it up the stuff rattled around enough to make me say "woah. oops."

If you could provide us a link for the magical bag you use that doesnt experience accidents, we would all be thankful

ed rader wrote in post #5245545
i wouldn't own a bag that was an accident waiting to happen.

+1

sleibrand wrote in post #5245720
It sounds like there needs to be a rule that you zip up. Period.

+1

NEMESISMACHINE30D wrote in post #5246317
And how do you pull that one off? Thats why they're called "accidents." I have left my bag open while I shot, and when I picked it up the stuff rattled around enough to make me say "woah. oops."

If you could provide us a link for the magical bag you use that doesnt experience accidents, we would all be thankful

It's called "Billingham" (although a Domke might work)

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archaeoman wrote in post #5245705
My wife tells me: "Put it where I won't move it"

..and so I do.

must agree with this strategy.

I have a rule for myself with my backpack. It's either open or it's zipped. I never (so far) close it without zipping it. If, for whatever reason, I don't want to zip it, then I don't close it. Works for me.

for the lens question, shouldn't really be a problem, 17-85 i have (closest thing to that lens i own) has a bit of play, though it will stay put unless you force it.

as for the bag, that's one reason i always leave it on the floor. by the laws of physics, that bag has nowhere to go

archaeoman wrote in post #5245705
My wife tells me: "Put it where I won't move it"

..and so I do.

That sounds all too familiar. lol.

runninmann wrote in post #5246613
I have a rule for myself with my backpack. It's either open or it's zipped. I never (so far) close it without zipping it. If, for whatever reason, I don't want to zip it, then I don't close it. Works for me.

i think the problem is that not everyone can consistently follow that discipline.

the contractor's rule is ALWAYS tie down your ladder WHEN you put it on your rack .

ed rader

runninmann wrote in post #5246613
I have a rule for myself with my backpack. It's either open or it's zipped. I never (so far) close it without zipping it. If, for whatever reason, I don't want to zip it, then I don't close it. Works for me.

Me too. I've got a bunch of other bags for a bunch of other stuff (saxophones and guitars in addition to camera gear) that can be closed by either velcroing or zipping shut. I am absolutely TERRIFIED of any of these bags experiencing an "accident" because I forgot to zipper them shut. Sure, the velcro on all of them is super-duper-industrial-strength, but there's something much more comforting about a zipper being zipped.

Still, the OP's story sucks. I hope everything turns out all right....

rooftopsuicideclub wrote in post #5245453
that sucks. this is how i prevent problems like this:

1. i always clip the clippys (or at least have one at worst, if i'm in and out of it) on my DG200 bag. i left it open a few times, and am thankful the velcro is loud enough to warn me that i was an idiot. now i always make sure it's closed.

2. i remind my girlfriend that my camera equipment, if broken, will most likely be replaced out of our joint savings. i asked her politely to pleeeeeeeease make sure that if she, for instance, moves it off the kitchen table to set it for dinner, to make sure it's clipped shut to prevent accidents.
3. i pray my equipment is never damaged by anything.

good luck with your lens. i hope it's not damaged.

I have a better plan...why don't YOU make sure the bag is zipped up. Why does your GF have to look after your stuff? If something is so valuable to you, look after it yourself.

You may also need a new girlfriend... Jjpjp

Jdumas wrote in post #5245575
yeah I always have it zipped up for this reason, but i had been in and out of the bag a couple of times getting cf cards to download. I was sitting at my computer in the other room and she decided to tidy the house I guess. There is now a rule she does not touch my camera stuff period. She was so scared she broke it she offered to buy me a new one instantly, but thats stupid.

Tonight there will be a proper test to ensure there was no damage I will post pics. Its a good thing she is beautiful (WHY I OUGHTAA:evil see avatar, love her.

that's one of the only reasons in the world I would have cried like a 5 year old

Hogloff wrote in post #5247056
I have a better plan...why don't YOU make sure the bag is zipped up. Why does your GF have to look after your stuff? If something is so valuable to you, look after it yourself.

Might not heard of something called respect for someone's property, I'm sure if he's taking care of his equipment but gets distracted and leaves his bag somewhere, he asked her to make sure it's clipped. Is it really that hard to make sure a clip is clipped? He mentioned that if she has to move his stuff from where it is, then make sure it's clipped. He didn't say she has to have both arms wrapped around the bag firmly and take one step at a time making sure she does not slip and drop the bag. Girls also have valuable things also and they would expect us to handle their valuables with care as well.