EF 400mm L IS F/2.8 Collar is very stiff

Hi Guys

Unlike many smaller lenses the tripod collar on my EF 400mm L IS F/2.8 cant be removed for cleaning or lubricating the rollers or the plastic runner.

Its becoming quite stiff, so much so that it takes quite a bit of pressure on the camera to turn the camera into portrait mode when using a monopod, ive also recently noticed a little bit of slackness creeping into the mount (not obvious using any other lens) im worried i may cause some damage.

Do you guys know if there is anyway to remove the collar without doing any damage or if i can just try squirting a lube fluid into the gap between body and collar.

Depends on what's causing the stiffnes, could foreign body or misalignment. Has it had a knock?.
You could try a shot of WD40, but that might make it worse in the long run by creating an abrasive slurry that grinds away at the bearings/runner.
I would give Fixation a call and see what they suggest.

Gaz,

Have you seen these threads at sportshooter?

http://www.sportsshoot​er.com …ge_display.html​?tid=26905

http://www.sportsshoot​er.com …ge_display.html​?tid=26999

Seems to be quite a common problem. At the bottom of the second thread are a set of pictures that show how to inspect the bearings

http://www.sportsshoot​er.com …pe/400bearings/​index.html

Not WD40, that is an oil. Will spread. Look inside the collar at the nylon guides. Damage, scratches? A very small amount of silicon spray maybe.

Before you go off using WD-40 I feel that I should mention that motocrossers use it to slide new rubber grips onto the handlebars because it is slick, but then it dries and is almost like an adhesive and causes the grip to stick.

bildeb0rg wrote in post #7082833
Depends on what's causing the stiffnes, could foreign body or misalignment. Has it had a knock?.
You could try a shot of WD40, but that might make it worse in the long run by creating an abrasive slurry that grinds away at the bearings/runner.
I would give Fixation a call and see what they suggest.

You need to read all the words guys...