tripod ring

I'm planing to buy the 70-200L f4 soon, I just wondering that I can mount the body (Canon 10D) to the tripod with the len on or I have to use the tripod ring?

you can but you put stress on the camera mounting ring. You get better balance from the lens ring mount.

That lens (70-200 f4) weighs only 1.56 lbs. Probably won't put too much weight on the lens mount. Whereas the 100-400 weighs 3 lbs. and the 70-200 f2.8 IS weighs 3.2 lbs.

If you do elect to get the collar it makes shooting portrait oriented pictures easier if you don't have a good head on your tripod / monopod. I've read that you can save a little money on the collar by buying the 100mm (I think) collar rather than getting the white one.

I don't have the collar for that lens

The tripod ring is nice to have, but not required, as mentioned above. However, there are two things you should note:

• The tripod ring that is made for the EF 200mm f2.8L is exactly the same as the one that is made for the 70-200 f4L except that it is black. It is also about $30 cheaper. Look here:
  

• If you use the battery grip and a quick release system for your tripod/monopod, you may have trouble mounting it on the tripod. The grip hangs down and gets in the way of the QR mechanism (at least with Manfrotto).
  

I disagree with you here.

Since the 10D (without grip) is heavier than the 70-200 F4L then using the tripod ring will not put less stress on the lens mount. Either way with the weight involved the lens mount will not be affected.

I've used the 70-200 f/4 with and without the tripod ring.

No problems or worry using camera mounted tripod. The f/4 is a light lens.

What I like about using the Tripod ring is the ability to rotate camera position without having to readjust the tripod mount.

As noted above, the tripod quick-release accessiblity may be complicated depending on your tripod model and how you've set up your configuration.

Thank you for all the quick reply, my 70-200L lens will be delivered on Wednesday, I'm so excited.

I use a 70-200 f2.8 with a motordrive and the tripod collar. But I'd love to have a tripod collar on EVERY lens that I own if it was possible. To flip from horizontal to vertical is so easy if the lens/camera is on a monpod or tripod. And although the 70-200 f4 is a lot lighter than the f2.8, that lens + the vertical grip and the camera body is NOT light and you will be much more comfortable with it all on a monopod and the tripod collar sure lends itself to that use.

Richard is right, but iv'e found the ring helps me get more keepers. i usualy use it with a monopod, and i get less shake with the ring.

Richard you are entitled to have your opinion but let me give you an example. Hold a four pound weight in your hand and hold your hand straight out for four hours and then tell me there is no stress. In the old days they were few and far in between but the collar evolved because of the wear on mounting rings due to there weight.

And I din't say it could not be done I said it releaves the stress and is more functional.

As mentioned before, the 70-200 f4L should not be a problem without the tripod ring.

But the weight of the camera has little to do with it. The important points are the strength of the area around the lens mount and the leverage between that point and the tripod (monopod, whatever). And while using the grip does cause an issue with the tripod ring, mounting a setup with the grip via the tripod socket on the grip adds a stress point between the camera and the grip. The length of the lens and the leverage it creates is much different from an equivalent weight in something the size and shape of a camera body. Using the ring makes for better balance.

What I would like to have, and will make when I get time, is a spacer for the tripod ring, to go between the QR plate and the ring. It will lower the QR plate so the grip won't interfere.

Have Fun,

OK, Maybe I should have been a little clearer first.

I use the tripod ring, and I think it better balances the camera.

And with heavier lenses then the tripod ring is a must, one of the reasons being stress on the camera mount.

But the 70-200F4 without is not going to put enough stress on the camera mount to even consider worrying about - and that is my point. The 10D is built pretty well and the area around the lens mount is designed to be able to support a lot more than the weight (and leverage) that a 70-200 F4 can put on it.

OK, waffle over, really what I am saying is either tripod mount or no tripod mound will be fine. CoolToolGy is spot on about the grip though, and I always remove that for tripod work anyway as it just doesn't feel safe!