Rubber seal on 400/5.6?

I received my Canon EF 400 mm f/5.6L USM lens today and when I installed it on the camera body, it seemed to be slightly loose. I took the lens off and noticed that the mount did not have the rubber seal that all of my other L lenses do, including my Canon 1.4X and 2X extenders. Is this lens different than most of the other L lenses in this regard or did they forget to install it?

Bill Boehme wrote in post #7593065
I received my Canon EF 400 mm f/5.6L USM lens today and when I installed it on the camera body, it seemed to be slightly loose. I took the lens off and noticed that the mount did not have the rubber seal that all of my other L lenses do, including my Canon 1.4X and 2X extenders. Is this lens different than most of the other L lenses in this regard or did they forget to install it?

Bill -- there's no rubber seal because the lens isn't weatherproof .... just like the 100-400L or 300LF4 or 70-200L f4 or 70-200L f2.8 .

ed rader

ed rader wrote in post #7593143
Bill -- there's no rubber seal because the lens isn't weatherproof .... just like the 100-400L or 300LF4 or 70-200L f4 or 70-200L f2.8 .

ed rader

Thanks for the quick response, Ed. I just wanted to make sure that something was not missing. The lens is fantastically sharp. I think that it is a keeper! I sort of like the solid snug feel that my other lenses with the rubber seal have. It's not like this one is flopping around loose, but it does have a tiny bit of wiggle.

Bill Boehme wrote in post #7593171
Thanks for the quick response, Ed. I just wanted to make sure that something was not missing. The lens is fantastically sharp. I think that it is a keeper!

it's a lens that's always interested me .... but i bit the bullet today and bought the 300L f2.8 IS .

ed rader

I really wanted to get the 500 mm f/4, but there was a bit of a price hurdle.

Bill Boehme wrote in post #7593190
I really wanted to get the 500 mm f/4, but there was a bit of a price hurdle.

tell me about it....and then there's all the accessories too . believe me with work almost non-existent these days i had to overcome a price hurdle too ... but my generous wife made like tim geithner and bailed me out .

ed rader

Where does the line form if she gets some more bail money?

Over here Mr. Buttermaker...

ed rader wrote in post #7593143
Bill -- there's no rubber seal because the lens isn't weatherproof .... just like the 100-400L or 300LF4 or 70-200L f4 or 70-200L f2.8 .

ed rader

Ever since I received my 400 I have noticed the same issue. Would it hurt to put a small o-ring on the lens just to try and snug it up some? Mine has a decent amount of movement on my 40D so I wouldn't want anything to happen.

j_m_k wrote in post #7593598
Ever since I received my 400 I have noticed the same issue. Would it hurt to put a small o-ring on the lens just to try and snug it up some? Mine has a decent amount of movement on my 40D so I wouldn't want anything to happen.

I agree. Environmentally sealing isn't the issue with me -- I just like the bit of cushioning that it adds along with taking out the residual free play. My hearing is bad (deaf in one ear and can't hear with the other), but I can still hear the faint ticking sound when the lens moves on the mounting ring. The construction of the lens at the mount looks like the other L lenses, so there might be a possibility of retrofitting a rubber seal. I presume that some partial dis assembly is necessary to install a seal and then there might be a problem of collimation when reassembling things.

ed rader wrote in post #7593180
it's a lens that's always interested me .... but i bit the bullet today and bought the 300L f2.8 IS .

ed rader

Droooool.

I have a 300 F4L IS on the way. Hopefully within the next two weeks as per my rep today.

ed rader wrote in post #7593180
it's a lens that's always interested me .... but i bit the bullet today and bought the 300L f2.8 IS .

ed rader

Now why would you do something stupid like that

Oh and the 400 5.6 is a pretty darn good lens. I have enjoyed it so far.

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I think Canon service will put the rubber seal on your lens if it ever goes in for service if you ask nicely - YMMV.

Consider yourself lucky! I cannot find a 400 f/5.6 L in Australia and even B&H is out of stock.

My 300mm F/4 IS has the same problem and does feel a fraction loose when mounted on my cameras.

I had a 400 f/5.6L a while back and for birds in flight there is no better lens and brilliantly sharp and blindingly fast to focus and works great with a 1.4 X Converter at f/8 on my 1D MK III as the autofocus is still very fast at f/8 on that Camera.

I am sure that a good camera repairer (not Canon here in Aus.) would be able to put a thin seal on it for you.

Mine is nice and snug on my 40D.