Where can I find a good knock off 70-200 f4L non IS tripod collar?

[MSIGuy]

So, I've got a 400d w/ grip, and a 70-200 f4L non IS and when I put it on my monopod, it becomes evident that it'd be more balanced and stable if I had a tripod collar.

I've seen all the "For Canon" ones on eBay and was wondering if they're nearly just as good as the horribly overpriced Canon ones, and if anyone has a good place to get one?

Thanks!

[Nick Pro]

They are just as good. Felt inside and everything. I got mine for 30 shipped from BIGIS.

[MSIGuy]

What is BIGIS? And do you have a link?

[zeva]

ebay seller i m guessing

[Nick Pro]

The one I got....http://cgi.ebay.com/Tripod-Mount-Ring-Canon-EF-70-200mm-f4-L-70-200-4-L_W0QQitemZ180235293328QQihZ008QQcategoryZ30059QQs sPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[SnlpeR]

how is the gadget infinity one?

[CastMemberJames]

I just got mine from ebay seller buybuyeasy. it works great and it even looks like an official canon one.
http://cgi.ebay.com/For-Canon-70-200mm-300-400mm-Lens-Tripod-Mount-Ring_W0QQitemZ150239809408QQihZ005QQcategoryZ30059 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Wilt]

I bought mine thru eBay, from a retailer with the name ROXSEN. Thread on POTN identified some really bad collars from other vendors, with knurling on the knob rather than ribs. ROXSEN ones are well made. The only gripe (a really minor and picky thing) is that there is a painted black index on the top of the collar, which when aligned with the same mark on the lens, puts the camera body at a cockeye angle to the horizon, so you need to ignore the marking on the ROXSEN.

Here's a message from an earlier thread on exactly this topic
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4956892&postcount=22

[JohnJ80]

Anybody know which ones match a RRS A-S compatible plate?

J

[condyk]

Good question John because I have A-S plates and my knock off collar didn't have enough drill depth to the screw thread to fully tighten to the plates. My short term solution was a small washer under the screw head as a spacer and my longer term solution will be a split washer to provide spacing but also enable a tighter grip. just need to go shop and find the exact right ones ;-) otherwise, the collar is very good. I got this one (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190206838013) and the problem is as shown below:

http://www.buzzdns.com/mount3.jpg
http://www.buzzdns.com/mount1.jpg

[Wilt]

condyk,
why not simply drill a bit deeper and tap the hole?

[condyk]

Solution works and don't have right size drill, a set of taps nor a vice to secure, etc ;-)

[JohnJ80]

Thanks for the pictures. Very helpful.

I think I would drill and tap it. I don't think I would rely on the connection there with the washers - you really want that full surface contact.

Is there a collar that has an exact copy of the foot on the canon collar and would accept any A-S plate perfectly?

J.

[condyk]

The washer is under the screw head. The plate still has 100% contact with the lens collar. The split washer is to allow even greater tightness. Mine well well be unique and all others fine.

[Wilt]

Thread on POTN identified some really bad collars from other vendors, with knurling on the knob rather than ribs.

[JohnJ80]

The washer is under the screw head. The plate still has 100% contact with the lens collar. The split washer is to allow even greater tightness. Mine well well be unique and all others fine.

Maybe I'm not understanding -

You have the washer under the screw head on the side of the plate opposite the collar? In other words, the stackup from the collar goes collar, plate, washer screw? The pictures seemed to show a gap between the collar and the plate so I thought you meant that you had the washer between the plate and the collar.

J

[condyk]

You have the washer under the screw head on the side of the plate opposite the collar? In other words, the stackup from the collar goes collar, plate, washer screw? The pictures seemed to show a gap between the collar and the plate so I thought you meant that you had the washer between the plate and the collar.


The image showed the problem, i.e. unable to tighten as insufficient depth to the hole, and not the solution. The solution is as you say in bold above. Works fine and tight as a Scotsmans wallet ;)

[JohnJ80]

Ah, that makes more sense. The other way would sort of defeat the purpose of the collar with an unstable mount.

J

[Stormin_24]

#7 drill and you could have made that a little deeper.. Then again you could super glue an aluminum plate to the bottom too...