Questions for fellow 70-200 2.8ii owners

1ST , I always have some kind of filter [B +W] on all my lenses . I found no loss in quality and a filter easier to change than clean a lens [yes , I use hoods with filter .
I carry the ring mount in bag and fanny pouch [the blue canon one] . Both have QR plates on them . I put it on lens when using a monopod or tripod .
I don't mount the strap to the ring , I just change lenses to often for that .
I also have both the hand and shoulder strap on both the 7 D and the XTI . Optec and black rapid straps with the seat belt cover thing on each . I have about 6 shoulder straps Canon ones suck , others are OK , but none I would buy again .
To tell the truth , I get more - would you make me a copy of that shot than questions about lens .
It is a hobby for me and I don't print over 8.5 X 11 .

I use the tripod mount on my 70-200 to attach the Black Rapid strap. It seems to be well balanced.

Same as many people here.
- keep the tripod foot on, put my Quickstrap (knock-off BR) on there; also means when I crouch the body stays horizontal rather than a BR attached to the body. That said I do notice it's a little harder to hold for me, like weird having the strap stuff there, rather than the foot itself
- I have a Hoya HD clear filter on it, don't shoot many night shots or other "flare prone" situations
- I sometimes get asked about it, hardly though. No more than any other "larger than normal" lens which overall is not often.

I always leave the collar on. I generally don't use a carry strap, and have a 4" arca-swiss plate attached to the collar. Makes a great handle.

I only use a filter when I'm going to the beach or if it might rain.

I'm usually in the swamp shooting birds. I've never had a heron ask me about my gear.

catchquan wrote in post #15772302
I also use a carry speed but I actually mount it to the body. I leave the collar on as I'm actually more comfortable shooting with it on than off. At the bottom is a picture of me and how I grip it with the collar on. I grip the collar with my pinky and ring finger, use my thumb to zoom, and middle/index to adjust focus.

This is exactly how I hold it as well. I prefer the feel just not the added weight.

Forgot to mention that when I put the strap on lens ring , it hung level , making me take up more space .
This was long ago , I think about 2000 or 2001 with the 35-350 . Since it was a push / pull , it was harder to zoom . Even the 70-200 is hard with the ring on and using the monopod .
Kind of did the same with the 70-300 and 135-400 .

frugivore wrote in post #15772235
I use the Cotton Carrier holster, mounted either on my chest when I use the harness or on my belt when I don't. And a hand strap is attached. There is little movement when I walk with it.

My Cotton Carrier is great, my only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner.
It's the most comfortable method of carrying my camera with either the 70-200 f2.8 II or 300 f2.8

Shot more with this lens today, and I do notice that I tend to pull the camera up from my side strictly by gripping the camera and the lens goes dangling with it. Feels like it does slightly strain the connection point, but one can only presume these things are built tough enough to withstand it.

Took mine off as soon as I got the lens. I found it interfered with storing it in my ThinkTank.