Has anyone used the "Cowboystudio Tripod Collar Mount Ring for the Canon EF 70-200mm"

[thegfxman]

I just can't justify spending $130+ for a tripod collar for a 70-200 f4 IS. Has anyone tried this one? I'm looking for color matching and build quality (obviously you get what you pay for, but MANNNNN.....).

Link Here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-Tripod-Collar-70-200mm-Lenses/dp/B003CIUV0G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275171763&sr=8-3

Anyone have any other recommendations if not?

[JWright]

I don't think you're going to get "build quality" for $12.95...

If I had that lens I'd probably buy the canon collar. I learned a long time ago not to scrimp on purchases, especially when the safety of an expensive lens is at stake.

[lannes]

I don't think you're going to get "build quality" for $12.95...

If I had that lens I'd probably buy the canon collar. I learned a long time ago not to scrimp on purchases, especially when the safety of an expensive lens is at stake.

+1 can you imagine if the collar failed, potentially both your camera body and lens would be on the ground, unless you had the strap tied off somewhere.

[RPCrowe]

I don't mind using Chinese knock-off lens hoods and lens caps or virtually any other item which will neither impact on image quality nor camera safety.

I bought a Canon OEM tripod ring long before the Chinese knock-off items arrived. I am glad that I did because I don't have to make your decision,

The Chinese rings may be just fine because the technology of manufacturing this item isn't up there with rocket science but, I would always worry about the integrity of my camera/lens when using a knock-off ring.

I will often carry my camera/lens mounted on my tripod head when I have the tripod over my shoulder. I don't know if I would have the confidence in a knock-of ring to carry the camera/lens in that fashion.

[genzbenz]

I've been using my 70-200 4L IS with the Opteka ring. The color isn't 100% the same, but mechanically, it works quite well. I haven't had any issues with it. I'm not too sure how badly the Chinese could screw up 2 curved pieces of metal, a hinge, and a thumbscrew. I would love to see how much it costs Canon to make those tripod rings. I can only imagine how much markup is on those!

I have a 100-400mm with the OEM canon ring, and i can't really tell the difference in the mechanical quality of the OEM and the Chinese knockoff.

[Maxdave]

I've been using my 70-200 4L IS with the Opteka ring. The color isn't 100% the same, but mechanically, it works quite well. I haven't had any issues with it. I'm not too sure how badly the Chinese could screw up 2 curved pieces of metal, a hinge, and a thumbscrew. I would love to see how much it costs Canon to make those tripod rings. I can only imagine how much markup is on those!

I have a 100-400mm with the OEM canon ring, and i can't really tell the difference in the mechanical quality of the OEM and the Chinese knockoff.

I have to disagree ... I have the Canon for my 100-400 and a non-Canon ("Chinese knock-off") for my 70-200 just like you and there is a substantial diffeence in the smoothness of operation of the two rings; but, the non-Canon seems just as strong. Still, I trust the Canon version more ....

[genzbenz]

I have to disagree ... I have the Canon for my 100-400 and a non-Canon ("Chinese knock-off") for my 70-200 just like you and there is a substantial diffeence in the smoothness of operation of the two rings; but, the non-Canon seems just as strong. Still, I trust the Canon version more ....

I think the design of the 100-400 ring and the 70-200 rings are slightly different. I'd love to see the real Canon 70-200 ring in person next to the knock-offs. I noticed that the 100-400 ring has slots that slide around the little screws on the lens, whereas the 70-200 ring doesn't have that.

[ianlti]

it is made by plastic, it flex alot so spend some money on ebay get a Metal one, don't get JJC brand. By the way mine broke on the first day, plastic cracked. =(

[genzbenz]

it is made by plastic, it flex alot so spend some money on ebay get a Metal one, don't get JJC brand. By the way mine broke on the first day, plastic cracked. =(

My Opteka is definitely metal. It's quite solid, actually.

[sethultimate]

it is made by plastic, it flex alot so spend some money on ebay get a Metal one, don't get JJC brand. By the way mine broke on the first day, plastic cracked. =(

do you have a JJC ring?

I do and it's fine, just curious if you actually have it and yours is made of plastic, 'cause the one that I have is metal and very good.

sometimes (not your case of course) ppl say things with no direct experience and still wanna say it.

[thegfxman]

well, i ended up getting it -- even though I usually stick to brand name products. However, I couldn't justify spending the amount canon wanted for this little piece.

I got the metal one, it fits great, color matches perfect, and don't see my lens/camera going anywhere soon on a tripod. Haven't used it too much, but first impressions are great.

[drsilver]

I bought one of those Chinese knockoffs. Cast aluminum. Don't know the brand. I'm sure I paid less than $20 on Ebay. I don't know what the difference between this one and a Canon would be, but this one works fine. Fit and finish are no problem.

I bought it when I first got the lens. Figured I'd use it more than I do. Turns out I hand hold that lens pretty much always and the ring sits in my secondary bag with other stuff that doesn't get used much. Glad I didn't fling a Benjamin at it.

[klr.b]

i can see them not including one for the non IS version. you'd technically need it more often with the lack of IS, but the lens itself is relatively cheap, so i can understand cutting costs. with the IS version, though, you're spending roughly $1200 on it. i'd appreciate canon including the tripod collar with it.

[sethultimate]

i can see them not including one for the non IS version. you'd technically need it more often with the lack of IS, but the lens itself is relatively cheap, so i can understand cutting costs. with the IS version, though, you're spending roughly $1200 on it. i'd appreciate canon including the tripod collar with it.

cutting cost?

:)

they wanna sell the overpriced accessories!!

now $140 vs. $8 for the same thing is embarrassing (for Canon) . kinda revealing their obsession with da money and the fact that they must see us like monkeys.

da same when you compare the overpriced pocket wizards to the RF-602. Embarrassing too.

no?

before we enter a debate about the fact that the Chinese production is disgusting because they treat their own people like animals, but you must admit that 140 against 8 is tough to sell (and justify).

really tough.

[o2G2o]

well, i ended up getting it -- even though I usually stick to brand name products. However, I couldn't justify spending the amount canon wanted for this little piece.

I got the metal one, it fits great, color matches perfect, and don't see my lens/camera going anywhere soon on a tripod. Haven't used it too much, but first impressions are great.


So which one is the metal one? I got the JJC one from eBay and even though I thought it was metal, it's now clearly now. The pilot screw that holds in the fastening assembly cracked the cylindrical plastic tube that houses the tightening thing. It only lasted 4 days. I'm going to complain to the seller on eBay, but I'm not expecting much cooperation. Got a link to where you got your metal one? Problem with mine was it wasn't tight enough so my lens kept rotating slightly off center, so I tightened it slightly more (I'm not BamBam) and I heard "SNAP!" and that was it.

[thegfxman]

So which one is the metal one? I got the JJC one from eBay and even though I thought it was metal, it's now clearly now. The pilot screw that holds in the fastening assembly cracked the cylindrical plastic tube that houses the tightening thing. It only lasted 4 days. I'm going to complain to the seller on eBay, but I'm not expecting much cooperation. Got a link to where you got your metal one? Problem with mine was it wasn't tight enough so my lens kept rotating slightly off center, so I tightened it slightly more (I'm not BamBam) and I heard "SNAP!" and that was it.

I ended up buying the one I posted in the original like here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-Tripod-Collar-70-200mm-Lenses/dp/B003CIUV0G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275171763&sr=8-3

[bettyn]

I just can't justify spending $130+ for a tripod collar for a 70-200 f4 IS. Has anyone tried this one? I'm looking for color matching and build quality (obviously you get what you pay for, but MANNNNN.....).

Link Here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-Tripod-Collar-70-200mm-Lenses/dp/B003CIUV0G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1275171763&sr=8-3

Anyone have any other recommendations if not?

You don't want to drop that lens. Don't buy something cheap!

[MannP]

I'd like to chime in on the JJC question. I ordered one and it IS made of plastic. I even scraped a small piece off to make sure. The only aluminum part is the tripod mount underneath, the knob, and the small rod that holds the two arcs. Seller insists it's aluminum. When I said aluminum does not flex or bend they said it must be soft aluminum and asked me to send it back to Hongkong to be then sent back to JJC.

I should have done my research. I trusted the seller's rating too much. Maybe there are two "versions"?

[mjww]

I can support the two versions thought. I bought a cheap Chinese tripod ring for one of my lenses and it was made from aluminum. When compared to the real Canon one, it was the same weight and colour. Only the labelling was different. Looks lie it is luck of the draw!

[jb1911]

I have the Opteka and it's pretty nice, for the price. I have no problem with it at all. The Cowboy Studio ring is made of plastic.

[photojournalista]

I was about to buy the JJC version. Glad I saw this first. Got any photo of the cracked JJC?

[o2G2o]

I was about to buy the JJC version. Glad I saw this first. Got any photo of the cracked JJC?


Got your PM - I still have the cracked collar so I'll look for it in the box and snap a pic. The seller actually sent me a brand new one (different manufacturer) at no charge and while it's still plastic, it was slightly better quality.

[SkedAddled]

I have a Chinese knockoff that I have on my Tamron SP 60-300, and it's perfectly solid.

I had to grab some dense felt to line the collar with, clamp it onto a smaller lens barrel
for a week or two, then I had to literally stand on the damned thing before I could clamp it
onto the lens I wanted it for. It's now holding the lens just fine, firm and solid, and I would
not hesitate to purchase the same lens collar again.

If the threads of the clamp meet okay, these Chinese knockoffs are just as good as the
Canon-branded collars, at a small fraction of the price. Just make sure the collar is metal,
use appropriate padding as required, and you've got the next best thing.

I've stressed my collar far more than was ever intended, and it firmly holds my SP 60-300
and 40D on my tripod with no worries.

Heavy-duty furniture-grade felt pads, with remnants:
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad207/Sked2/Tammy_60-300/IMG_4270.jpg

The SP 60-300 lens, wrapped in the felt pads and cheap tripod collar:
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad207/Sked2/Tammy_60-300/IMG_4266.jpg

40D and the SP 60-300, mounted to a tripod:
http://i936.photobucket.com/albums/ad207/Sked2/40D/IMG_6622.jpg

Focus, zoom and aperture controls are free to be manipulated, and I have no worries
about stability of my rig when mounted to a tripod.

[photojournalista]

I'd like to chime in on the JJC question. I ordered one and it IS made of plastic. I even scraped a small piece off to make sure. The only aluminum part is the tripod mount underneath, the knob, and the small rod that holds the two arcs. Seller insists it's aluminum. When I said aluminum does not flex or bend they said it must be soft aluminum and asked me to send it back to Hongkong to be then sent back to JJC.

I should have done my research. I trusted the seller's rating too much. Maybe there are two "versions"?

Can you post a photo of the type you got? Maybe there are indeed 2 versions. So the plastic part is the part that clamps over? The bottom part is metal?

This is the one posted on the place I'm about to buy from. The knob is ribbed instead of knurled.

http://tayhua.com/images/TMR-A1.JPG