Tripod Ring for 70-200 f/4?

[hank1105]

I happy to say that I hope to purchasing the Canon 70-200 f/4 lens shortly, based on the feedback on this forum. With that should I also get the tripod ring, is it necessary? I would like to take night shots with this lens. My tripod a really good Sony tripod that I purchased for my Mini DV cam, works great with my Drebel, just not sure if it is compatible with the tripod ring, should I need to get it. Thanks.

Hank

[Cadwell]

The 70-200 f/4 is such a small and light lens that I don't personally think the tripod ring is worth the expense. I've always used the camera tripod mount with it.

[boBquincy]

I didn't like the balance (or more correctly, the lack of) when I put my 10D and 70-200 f4 on a tripod using the camera's tripod socket.

The Canon tripod rings are expensive, even the lower cost non-L one, so I made a tripod ring from a muffler clamp (2-1/2" I believe, but I will check when I get home). With wheel well molding on the clamp part and vinyl tubing on the u-bolt, the setup worked well, making up in low cost what it lacked in looks. ;) I used it for over a year.

When I got a few more dollars I bought the Canon mount (non-L) and it is very well made but still kinda' expensive.


boB

[CoolToolGuy]

What is mentioned above is that Canon shows a white tripod ring to go with the 70-200 f4L, and it is quite expensive. The ring for the 200mm f2.8L is the same ring except it is black, and it is significantly cheaper.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=211436 &is=REG
Even this tripod ring is a lot of money, so it is a lot to consider. Personally, I would be cautious with a homemade version - be sure you don't clamp it too tight on the barrel.

Have Fun,

[aam1234]

Used the 70-200 f/4 with a monopod, no problem. So I agree with Cadwell that it's not heavy enough to warrant a ring.

[Mike H]

I have the tripod ring and rarely shoot without it, although I can certainly use the lens hand held. The ring helps the camera/lens combination balance beautifully on the tripod. I enjoy using this setup with a ball head.

Using the lens on a monopod is also easier if you use the ring since it tends to balance better with one of those, too.

I also find that switching from vertical to horizontal orientation and back is much more convenient with the ring, whether I am using a tripod or monopod. Hence, I tend to look both ways more before I shoot, which improves composition.

In case you can't tell, I REALLY like the tripod ring. :D

Mike H

[hank1105]

Thanks for the feedback. Based off of this it sounds like I need some type of tripod ring, whether it be the Canon version or homemade, which sounds simple enough. My biggest thing is that I don't want the weight of the lens to screw up the lens mount on the camera. I am definitely going to be using a tripod for night shots.

Hank

[samdring]

My biggest thing is that I don't want the weight of the lens to screw up the lens mount on the camera.
Hank

You don't mention which camera but 10D is 790 g without battery and f4 70-200 is 705 g - unless I'm mistaken, although balance may be better using a ring, the actual weight on the lens mount is less if using the camera mount.

[HJMinard]

My biggest thing is that I don't want the weight of the lens to screw up the lens mount on the camera.
Hank

You don't mention which camera but 10D is 790 g without battery and f4 70-200 is 705 g - unless I'm mistaken, although balance may be better using a ring, the actual weight on the lens mount is less if using the camera mount.

But don't forget there's a cantilever effect, i.e., the lens weight extends much further away from the mount than the camera body's weight does ... I'm not an engineer but it seems to me that would be more likely to create stress on the mount than static weight alone.

[Cadwell]

You don't mention which camera but 10D is 790 g without battery and f4 70-200 is 705 g - unless I'm mistaken, although balance may be better using a ring, the actual weight on the lens mount is less if using the camera mount.

Yup. I've got the 10D + Grip and the camera is definately heavier than the lens... by a good way.

[hank1105]

Whoops, sorry I have a 300d, in which case I think the lens might be heavier then the camera and I also would think the cantilever effect (as HJMinard stated) would happen. Looks like I will have to spend some change on the canon tripod ring, that stinks. Thanks for the feedback.

Hank

[aam1234]

I think we might need a physicist to give us a definitive answer.

[boBquincy]

I'm not a physicist...but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express... ;)

The camera & lens balance very well when used with the ring, and not nearly as well when supported from the camera tripod socket.

I use the 70-200 f4 with a monopod and *not* the tripod ring but I do balance the lens at the same point where the ring would mount.

My monopod does not have a 1/4-20 bolt, I found it was much easier to use (and just as steady) by screwing a rubber wel-nut onto the end of the monopod and resting the camera on that.

I agree with one of the posters, if you use a home-made tripod ring be careful that it fits the curvature of the lens closely and avoid tightening it too much.!


boB

[spaceman]

My monopod does not have a 1/4-20 bolt, I found it was much easier to use (and just as steady) by screwing a rubber wel-nut onto the end of the monopod and resting the camera on that.
boB


What is a wel-nut?

Thanks,

Alan

[boBquincy]

Well-nut is a brand name for flanged neoprene bushing with a brass machine nut molded into one end.

http://www.emhart.com/products/pop/wellnut.htm

In this case I thread the Well-nut onto a stud in the aluminum bushing at the top of the monopod, and rest the camera on the rubber flange. It provides a semi-secure support while still allowing quick cnahges to camera angle.


boB

[DaveG]

I happy to say that I hope to purchasing the Canon 70-200 f/4 lens shortly, based on the feedback on this forum. With that should I also get the tripod ring, is it necessary? I would like to take night shots with this lens. My tripod a really good Sony tripod that I purchased for my Mini DV cam, works great with my Drebel, just not sure if it is compatible with the tripod ring, should I need to get it. Thanks.

Hank

I would - without hesitation - buy the tripod collar right away. Although the 70-200 f4 is lighter than the 2.8 that I have, it's still no walk in the park. Once you put a camera and this lens together it's more weight than you'll want to hand hold at eye level, at least for any length of time. Now you will be able to concentrate on taking good pictures rather than the pain you are in.

Once the lens collar is installed and you mount it on a monopod you will be putting a lot less stress on both the camera's tripod mount and the lens' mount. You will be able to flip from horizontal shots to vertical ones in a second. After you get this feature and use it a few times it'll occur to you that EVERY lens would benifit from a tripod collar, as silly as that sounds!:D

[spaceman]

Well-nut is a brand name for flanged neoprene bushing with a brass machine nut molded into one end.

http://www.emhart.com/products/pop/wellnut.htm

In this case I thread the Well-nut onto a stud in the aluminum bushing at the top of the monopod, and rest the camera on the rubber flange. It provides a semi-secure support while still allowing quick cnahges to camera angle.


boB

Thanks boB

[jukas]

Hank,

I have the 70-200 f/4 and use it with a 10D with the "Big Ed" battery grip and I haven't found any problems hand holding it assuming I'm working within acceptable shutterspeeds for the lighting I'm shooting in. If I was keeping this lens I would definately buy a tripod ring for it as the balance when on a tripod feels just a little "off"

I noticed you haven't purchased this lens yet, as a shameles plug I have a 30 day old 70-200 f/4 L with a 3 yr extended warranty that I need to sell. I wasn't realistic about my needs and thought this lens would fit my needs when I really should have bought the IS version. I have it listed in the buy/sell forum at http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=44183

[Mike H]

... After you get this feature and use it a few times it'll occur to you that EVERY lens would benifit from a tripod collar, as silly as that sounds!:D

Amen. I actually take that into consideration when I check out new lenses to buy.

Mike H

[Persian-Rice]

Yes the black mount is cheaperand the same, buy a $5 can of colour matched spray paint and you just made your own 70-200 mount at a fraction of the price.

Cheers

[hank1105]

I was surprised to see this post updated. I now have the 70/200 f/4 lens, great lense. I haven't purchased the collar yet, but plan on doing so shortly. Thanks again for all of the info.

Hank