Lens rotation on body - Normal?

Matt-P

Matt-P

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Matt
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I've just received my new Sigma 150-500 to put on a Nikon D300 but I'm a bit concerned about how securely it mounts to the body.

When the lens is mounted, and properly clicked into place, I can feel some play in the lens rotationally against the mount. Basically zoom in, and the lens rotates a small way until it stops, zoom out and there is a noticeable "knock" as it shifts the other way. It feels about 1mm of movement in total.

I've usually got a 18-200 mounted and have never noticed this before. I've tried taking a couple of pictures of a straight wardrobe top from a tripod and measured the amount of rotation needed to straighten it in Photoshop, works out at about 0.7 degrees difference between the left and right limits.

The basic question is then - should I be worried or is this normal with a bigger zoom?
 
I presume you have the lens bolted down to a tripod and are rotating the camera on the lens to give this 0.7 degree movement. It sounds as though the pin may not be fully locating in the mount, Have you been back to the retailer with your body as well. There is very slight play on mine but nothing that has caused me any anxiety since I bought it a year ago. There will always be manufacturing tolerances.
 
I have a very slight play between my 100-400 and bodies... doesn't seem to cause a problem though and is only a fraction of a mm.
 
I almost asked this very question a couple of days ago.

Only with my new Canon 100-400 on the 40D do I feel a very slight 'rotational' movement. Doesn't seem to matter but had me scratching my head.
 
dinners said:
I almost asked this very question a couple of days ago.

Only with my new Canon 100-400 on the 40D do I feel a very slight 'rotational' movement. Doesn't seem to matter but had me scratching my head.
Click to expand...

:agree: I have the same set up and movement, I put it down to a big heavy lens..:shrug:
 
Yup, same here with my Sigma 100-300 on my 40D. Less than 1mm and no effect on photos. I wouldn't worry too much unless it starts to get worse.
 
There's a tiny bit of play on all my lenses - even when they were brand-new. Helps prevent them from jamming due to temperature changes.
Most cameras use different metals too - stainless steel on the camera and chromed brass on the lens to prevent them jamming as well...
As long as it's rotational movement and not front-back then focus won't be affected.
 
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