Tripod mount ring for 70-200 f4 IS?

The 70-200mm f/4 IS doesn't come with a tripod mount ring. The offcial canon one is incredibly expensive. I know there are some much cheaper alternatives on ebay.

My question is the following. Do I need a tripod collar for this lens?
The lens is not that heavy and I would guess that if it is not provided with the lens, it is maybe because it isn't really needed...

Thanks for your help

Yeah unless you find it imbalanced when the camera is mounted to your tri/monopod, there's no reason to get one.

I got one and if you use the tripod often, I'd say it's definitely worthwhile to consider. Now let's get this out of the way quick-sharp: the f/4's certainly don't 'need' it. That would obviously be one reason why Canon didn't include one. But that doesn't mean it's not useful. On a tripod, the collar redistributes the balance alot better and I'm now a believer. I got mine off eBay for pretty cheap and it's working well so far. If you don't own a sturdy tripod, that's also another reason to consider the collar. On my old Slik tripod (which was much lighter than my current Bogen-Manfrotto), I never really trusted the 70-200 attached.. there were a few moments where indeed the setup seemed vulnerable to tipping over if I bumped it slightly or due to the wind. With a sturdier tripod, it's less of a problem however. But with a collar, it doesn't really become an issue at all anymore.

Now I don't want to take it off.. it feels too 'naked' without it.

Thanks for the useful answers!

If I buy one, it will certainly be a cheap ebay oneand not the canon one

Permapuddle got one or two; check with them.

Thanks Jon, I'll ask them