Is this Collar really necessary?

[Sendide]

Hi everybody,
I do macro phnotography and I use canon 100mm macro lens with my 10D. when the canon twin lite MT 24Ex is mounted on the top of the lens, the systems "looks" pretty heavy. I thought about the canon ring for this lens which is over $130 !!!! toooo much for a simple ring!. my qustion is:
is the systeme described above too heavy for the camera to handle when the 10D is mounted on tripod? what could be the max wight the body can support with no risck?
second issue: this collar is supposed to give the advantage to swing the camera around using the ring as axis, but : since most of macro photographers use a rail or sliding system, the camera is no longer able to rotate (will be blocked by the queue of the rail).
thanks in advance

[Scottes]

$130 does hurt. The arrangement you have won't hurt anything, but it is very unbalanced, and will add extra stress to the screw-hole in the 10D. It may cause some aggravation, like tilting forward if you shoot at a 45-degree angle or something, which adds more stress. If you were using a ball-head you might find the arrangement a pain in the butt. But since you're using a slider just mount the camera so it balances better.

Again though, this should be enough stress to worry about.

I like balanced things, and I like my tripod rings on my larger lenses. But save your money, IMHO.

[Sendide]

thanks scotte ,
very appreciated advises, like usual :wink:

[Scottes]

Ooops.

"Again though, this should be enough stress to worry about. "

Should have been

"Again though, this should NOT be enough stress to worry about. "