500f/4L IS Draining battery

Les it is not the camera or batteries but the 500 that is the problem. I have no problem with any of my other lenses and have a good battery life. All my batteries is Canon originals bought from B&H(all my gear is from there). Any of the other lenses can stay on the camera with no draining at all. It is only when I leave the 500 on that my batteries will be drained within a few hours even when stored and not used with camera switched off.

If it is happening with the camera shut off and doesn't happen with other lenses, then it is time to contact Canon. Emails are cheap.

Strange issue.... no problem with mine.

Not had this happen on my mk3 or 40d .
Rob.

Goshawk wrote in post #6012360
Les it is not the camera or batteries but the 500 that is the problem. I have no problem with any of my other lenses and have a good battery life. All my batteries is Canon originals bought from B&H(all my gear is from there). Any of the other lenses can stay on the camera with no draining at all. It is only when I leave the 500 on that my batteries will be drained within a few hours even when stored and not used with camera switched off.

I just think that it is odd that it only happens with the 500. Perhaps an issue with the lens mount or contacts? Just as a question have you tried any contolled tests? Another guess, is the main power switch getting bumped?

I have seen an interesting issue with a motorized Hassy that had it's batteries drained with a metered prism, it seemed that they contacts for the batteries were touching near an internal wire that went to the meter. Leave the meter attached and it drained the batts. I have seen some weird stuff but this is a stumper and really requires Canon CPS techs. If you come up with any other I would love to get it too. If you need any assistance from this side of the pond let me know, I do know a few techs at Canon.

I haven't had a problem leaving my 500 on the 40d. This weekend I forgot to turn the camera off, just remembered to this morning, but I didn't check to see if the battery was still good. I'll edit this post this evening when I go out with the camera.

I have a sort of similar experience: I had 1 copy of the 70-200 2.8 IS that did the same thing according to a customer. It was so weird I dismissed what they said after the lens seemed to check out perfectly (I regret to say). A second customer then reported the same lens drained a 40D battery in 40 shots, which was very weird so I sent it to Canon. I'm not sure what they replaced, but it did come back 'replaced circuit' and hasn't had the problem since.

I've had my 500 f4 for about 7 months and it lives on my 40d since I shoot mostly birds. I've left it on in the bag for up to a week (sleeping). When I pulled it back out to shoot there was no change to the power levels.

I'm guessing there is some technical issue here.

jsc19702 wrote in post #6014236
I've had my 500 f4 for about 7 months and it lives on my 40d since I shoot mostly birds. I've left it on in the bag for up to a week (sleeping). When I pulled it back out to shoot there was no change to the power levels.

I'm guessing there is some technical issue here.

That is just the information I needed, now I know that it is not "normal" for a 500 and I can progress further from there.
Thanks everyone for your help it is appreciated.

LBaldwin wrote in post #6012857
I just think that it is odd that it only happens with the 500. Perhaps an issue with the lens mount or contacts? Just as a question have you tried any contolled tests? Another guess, is the main power switch getting bumped?

I have seen an interesting issue with a motorized Hassy that had it's batteries drained with a metered prism, it seemed that they contacts for the batteries were touching near an internal wire that went to the meter. Leave the meter attached and it drained the batts. I have seen some weird stuff but this is a stumper and really requires Canon CPS techs. If you come up with any other I would love to get it too. If you need any assistance from this side of the pond let me know, I do know a few techs at Canon.

Thanks Les it is appreciated.

Roger Cicala wrote in post #6014038
I have a sort of similar experience: I had 1 copy of the 70-200 2.8 IS that did the same thing according to a customer. It was so weird I dismissed what they said after the lens seemed to check out perfectly (I regret to say). A second customer then reported the same lens drained a 40D battery in 40 shots, which was very weird so I sent it to Canon. I'm not sure what they replaced, but it did come back 'replaced circuit' and hasn't had the problem since.

I actually have had no problem while shooting, I presume it is just a low but constant power drain caused by the 500.

It's weird that the battery drains when you're not using the camera, on or off - the camera will sleep after a period of time as well.

What does happen with these sorts of lenses is that between using IS and AI Servo mode as well as the tendency to shoot a lot of bursts - the battery can drain quicker than your typical usage.

Never have had that problem ,but I have grips on my bodies never have any battery issues.