Can't fit my Sigma 70-200 on my tripod!

[kevin_c]

Bought a nice new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 last week and I'm extremely pleased with it so far handheld.
However, I just tried to fit it using the supplied tripod collar on my Velbon D-700 tripod fitted with a Manfrotto 141RC head with a quick-release platform, and the quick-release lever on the head is in the way of the BG-E2 grip and wont let the quick-release plate 'drop-down' into the holder.
The only way I can fit it is to either take the grip off :( or mount the camera facing 'backwards'!
Does anyone know if i can purchase a 'spacer' to raise the lens collar base approx 5-10mm off of the quick-release plate to allow the camera to clear the lever??

[Curtis N]

Is the foot of the tripod ring facing forward or rearward? Have you tried reversing it?

[kevin_c]

Thanks for the reply, The foot is facing forward, If I reverse it the foot catches the grip !
I've had a quick search on Google and you can buy spacers from various places, but I don't know if anyone here has also had this problem and can recommend one?

[kevin_c]

Here's a quick pic I took with my cheapie Olympus P&S camera:
Hopefully it shows the problem (no critique on the picture please :D

[Dandaman_24]

Try removing the battery grip and it should sit perfectly. You dont have to spend any money then on spacers.

[kevin_c]

Dandaman,
I have removed the grip to check it fitted and as you say it will. However, I always have the grip on and it would be a pain to keep having to take it off everytime I wanted to fit it on the tripod as I tend to swap between tripod and handheld.
I'm sure a spacer would not cost much, On reflection I think it will have to be about 10-15mm. The lever slides out of the way as the plate goes down on the holder. I'll have to experiment with some blocks of wood to make sure though...

[PLB]

I have the same head and with my EF 100-400 L fitted to my 300D and BG-E2, I cannot fit direct to the head.

My way around is to undo the mounting ring, so the lens and camera can rotate, move the camera around the until the grip is out of the way and then fit the mount into the head.

Bit of a pain, but it works for me.

[kevin_c]

Thanks for that PLB, hadn't thought of that... I just tried fitting the collar to the tripod first and then fitting the lens/camera to it and guess what... The bl**dy thing still catches the q-r lever even when it's moved over after the q-r plate has 'snapped' in place :cry: I have just clipped the collar in place and although it fits OK it is pressing on the grip and obviously stressing something - don't want that. <<SEE PIC>>
Looks like I will HAVE to get a spacer and do as you suggested or as I did, fit the collar first.

It will be ok with a 1.4 or 2x t/converter - I'll have to buy one now :-)

Thanks for all the replies eveyone.

[IanC_UK]

i may be off here, but can you not turn the qr plate 90 degrees on the tripod ring, so the qr lever is off to the side of the camera when mounted, not directly under it ? my gitzo has it this was round and i never have an issue mounting the camera ?

[kevin_c]

i may be off here, but can you not turn the qr plate 90 degrees on the tripod ring, so the qr lever is off to the side of the camera when mounted, not directly under it ? my gitzo has it this was round and i never have an issue mounting the camera ?

I can turn the collar/ring on the plate but the 3 way pan and tilt levers are now all either facing the 'wrong way' or the grip catches the handles. (I assume that's what you meant?)
One reason to get a ball head I suppose?

[IanC_UK]

I can turn the collar/ring on the plate but the 3 way pan and tilt levers are now all either facing the 'wrong way' or the grip catches the handles. (I assume that's what you meant?)
One reason to get a ball head I suppose?

D'oh ! yeah i couldnt really see where they all were from the pic ! :(

Oh well was worth a try ! :)

[kevin_c]

IanC, The first pic actually shows the levers better than the second, but thanks for your suggestion. I will either have to get a spacer or (maybe better) an 'extension' plate that fits on the q-r plate with another tripod screw on it to move the lens/camera back away from the head.

[DavidW]

It looks like Manfrotto have put an unusual design of RC2 clamp on the particular head you've got.

I've attached a shot of my setup - 20D, BG-E2, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS, 200PLARCH-14 anti-twist RC2 plates on both the BG-E2 and the 70-200's tripod ring, Manfrotto 323 RC2 adapter on Gitzo G1275M offset ball head and Gitzo G2220 Explorer legs.


The Manfrotto 323 clamp is more typical of Manfrotto RC2 clamp designs. Though I have to swivel the tripod ring round to a portrait like position to fit the QR plate to the clamp, the clamp lever and safety catch finish up well out of the way of the grip.

The 200PLARCH-14 plates are a few mm taller than standard 200PL-14 plates; the metal anti-twist plate is well worthwhile, in my opinion. You'll notice that I've turned the anti-twist plate round on the plate on my 70-200's collar - you just remove the circlip and screw, slide the anti-twist plate off the base, slide the plate back on turned through 180 degrees, and replace the screw and circlip.


If you want a spacer, maybe you could put a 200PLARCH-14 on a 323 clamp, which would be a total of 25mm (1 inch) high - that would work if you need the spacer for other purposes, but it's rather expensive if all you need is to jack up this one tripod ring! There's also the risk that the odd RC2 clamp on your head will foul the back of the 323 clamp.



David

[kevin_c]

Thanks David,

I have been looking at the Manfrotto web site, but I think I will have to pay a visit to a Manfrotto dealer and actually see and try the various plate/spacer options.

[2005GLI]

im glad i saw this thread. i was going to get the dynatran pan head from ebay to replace my ball head. But seeing this i'll stick with the ball head.

[upsracingfan]

im glad i saw this thread. i was going to get the dynatran pan head from ebay to replace my ball head. But seeing this i'll stick with the ball head.

Just a word of caution a friend of mine just bought a dynatran off the bay and I can tell you that they are really poor quality. His broke within 2 days :shock: :shock:

[cdifoto]

Just a word of caution a friend of mine just bought a dynatran off the bay and I can tell you that they are really poor quality. His broke within 2 days :shock: :shock:

Mine seems to be great quality so far and I've had it more than 2 days. I bought the AT-858 w/pistol grip. Maybe your friend isn't so nice to his gear?

[HPZ]

same prob with me: 100-400L + 20D with BGE2 grip won't fit onto my manfrotto 728B digi tripod.

(Unless i loosen the tripod ring, twist lens + camera 90 degrees, lock quick release head onto tripod, twist lens + camera 90 degrees back, then tighen tripod ring).