Hey, thanks for all the info and suggestions! I ended up getting the real deal, the Canon brand tripod mounting ring for that second hand 200mm/2.8L lens; Ebay find. Paid $475.00 for the lens (hey, a lot of money for me!) and just wanted to make sure that it was secure and snug. I got the mounting ring right here off of the site from Apollo 11(thanks Andrew; the ring showed up today and is perfect!) mounted it up and it's great!
Only one problem. I have a real el cheapo plastic and aluminum tripod from a few years ago; local Wolfe Camera purchase before my Big Bend trip (QSX 700I DX). I got the grip for the reburbished XSI that I got over at B&H, and of course when I go to mount the lens and camera onto the tripod, the knob for the mounting plate; horizontal to vertical adjustment knob is in the way of the grip and I can't mount it! Well, at least on the correct side. I ended up just turning the camera around and mounting it the other way onto the plastic mounting plate . Now it does hold, but of course the long handle for the up/down and the horizontal/vertical are on the outside so I have to reach around and adjust them like that. I really like that fact that the tripod is light, about 2.3 pounds. I had reconstructive back surgery about 3 weeks ago and my doc has cleared me to drive, BUT, my weight limit for picking up and carrying is about 8 pounds MAX. I weighed out the camera, 200mm lens, tripod, bag, etc. and I am good.
I guess I just wanted to know what you all thought given the odd way I had to mount the camera and the weight restriction. On a buget, of course, so if you suggest a light-weight tripod to replace this one, are there some that are actually economical? You know, not the $400.00 carbon fiber type!
Again, any suggestions would be appreciated.
[B]Canon 5D mrk II,Canon XSI, gripped. 5D classic,70-200 2.8L IS, Canon EF-S 10-22mm/3.5-4.5USM, 50mm/1.8 nifty fifty mrk I (NOT the newer plastic fantastic) 35mm/1.4LmrkI, 85mm/1.2L, 200mm/2.8L mrk I, 1.4 mrk IIand 2X mrkI canon TCs, Canon 430EX II, Induro Alloy 6M Tripod A-014 with Manfrotto 484RC2 Mini Ball Head with RC2 Rapid Connect Plate