70-200 f/4 L tripod collar.......

Hello Everyone,

I'm about to purchase a Manfrotto 055XPROB and 488 RC2 ball head. Do I need a tripod collar to hold my 30D and 70-200 f/4 L (non-IS)?

Thanks!

I've never felt the need for the tripod collar - different story on the 70-200 F/2.8

I bought a knockoff collar from eBay and have been very pleased with it. It's high tolerance and allows for smooth rotating while mounted on a tripod. Matches the barrel perfectly, too.

Yeah, you're gonna need the the tripod collar with the 70-200. I also bought one off of ebay for $15 and the construction of it is nice. Nice fit, heavy metal construction... Go with that one and you'll be set.

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Not necessary but, really nice to have...

The 70-200mm f/4 (series) lenses are light enough to use without a tripod ring/collar. However, I far prefer using a ring when shooting with the lens.

The tripod collar will allow you to rotate your lens from horizontal to vertical or to tweak the horizon level. Believe me, it is a lot easier to shoot a vertical when your lens is centered over the tripod head, rather than hanging off to the side.

It is also, IMO, easier to follow moving subjects when using a tripod ring because the camera/lens is balanced better on the tripod head.

Finally - although it may be safe to use this lens with the camera mounted on the tripod head; I would be hesitant to carry the tripod over my shoulder with the camera/lens mounted in this fashion. This would be especially true when using a Rebel (series) camera which uses a plastic tripod socket!

I bought a used Canon tripod ring years ago and an very happy that I did. However, I would now buy one of the Chinese Rip-offs advertised on eBay at one heck of a savings over the OEM ring. China is producing some quality replacement parts these days and I would have no problem trying the ring.

Chinese products aren't all that bad...

I use a Chinese Rip-off lens hood for my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens and it does everything as well as the OEM model at a fraction of the price. I also use Chinese Rip-off lens caps for some of my lenses. I don't use these because of the cheaper price; since Canon was generous enough to provide lens caps with my lenses. I use the Chinese Rip-off hoods because IMO, they are superior because they are center pinch caps while the Canon caps are side pinch. It is easier for me to remove and replace a center-pinch cap when I have a sun shade mounted.

Here you go, this is the one I got. CLICK HERE

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Thanks everyone! I went ahead and ordered the one beachbum2277 recommended. Hopefully it wont take six months to get!

Smart move as you'll quickly see that the setup will feel better balanced using the collar.

snatiep wrote in post #5448271
Thanks everyone! I went ahead and ordered the one beachbum2277 recommended. Hopefully it wont take six months to get!

Mine actually didn't take that long to get, maybe a week or so.

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Just bought one of those collars too. Thanks for the link beachbum2277!!

btw, does anyone recommend using the collar on a monopod as well as a tripod??

newbietoslr wrote in post #5448316
Just bought one of those collars too. Thanks for the link beachbum2277!!

btw, does anyone recommend using the collar on a monopod as well as a tripod??

I believe if you're going to use the monopod you should use the collar too. My understanding is that the collar's purpose is to evenly distribute the weight of the camera with the weight of the lens so that one, it's balanced and two, you take the pressure off of the lens mount. So, after that long explanation, yeah, anytime I use that lens on a tripod or monopod, I use the collar.

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I bought one similar to the one suggested. It does balance quite nicely on a tripod with the collar.

In fact, I may be in the minority that found the f4L a bit too light. So, I find myself keeping the collar on even when I'm handholding.

I'm weird that way.

eeeksNYC wrote in post #5450971
In fact, I may be in the minority that found the f4L a bit too light. So, I find myself keeping the collar on even when I'm handholding.

I'm weird that way.

Mine never comes off either -

i also found this lens a bit too light and i also leave the collar on when handholding. doesn't get in the way of the zoom ring.

Definitely get the collar... Peace of mind is alot better than lens on ground...