Do we need Tripod Collar for 70-200 f/4L?

[napsack]

Hi,

I tried to search for this topic but cannot find the match so I want to ask CSer opinion about the tripod collar.
I am wondering about whether to get tripod collar or not these few days because its cost is not sooo cheap as it's S$150+.

Somehow I find 70-200 f/4L is perfect for handheld but not to talking about it when the sky is dark, almost rain and don't even need to think about indoor shooting which is very challenge due to its slowness. When I use it with my tripod to shoot vertical picture like portrait by attach to camera body, seem the lens is abit heavy so the camera cannot stay still (a little bit pan down over the time) on tripod head at vertical position.

Should I buy it? Why should I? if shoud not, any reason? Thxxxx!

[donkuok]

I also looking for it but can anyone comment on this.

[ghost77]

Originally Posted by napsack Hi, I tried to search for this topic but cannot find the match so I want to ask CSer opinion about the tripod collar. I am wondering about whether to get tripod collar or not these few days because its cost is not sooo cheap as it's S$150+. Somehow I find 70-200 f/4L is perfect for handheld but not to talking about it when the sky is dark, almost rain and don't even need to think about indoor shooting which is very challenge due to its slowness. When I use it with my tripod to shoot vertical picture like portrait by attach to camera body, seem the lens is abit heavy so the camera cannot stay still (a little bit pan down over the time) on tripod head at vertical position. Should I buy it? Why should I? if shoud not, any reason? Thxxxx!

Set up with the DSLR, 70-200L4 and tripod is well-balance with the tripod collar. Without the tripod collar, the whole set up is off-balance.

[ghost77]

This picture was taken with DSLR, 70-200L4 and tripod with the tripod collar. Time taken was in the evening about 5:45pm.

[donkuok]

so any place can get it cheaper?

[napsack]

That is very cool. I can tell from your 1st picture that how balance it is For the 2nd picture, that really shows the great composition which I cannot do it with handheld or using just tripod head in vertical. Starting to hunt around . Thxxx very much

[napsack]

Originally Posted by donkuok so any place can get it cheaper?

I saw someone here sold it at $100 but that was really really really fast sell, the offer closed already

[srisaro]

Based on my personal shooting experiences I feel that a Tripod Collar is not necessary for a 70-200 F4L, even in low light conditions, as you could pump ISO... TC could be a nice to have..

[napsack]

Originally Posted by srisaro Based on my personal shooting experiences I feel that a Tripod Collar is not necessary for a 70-200 F4L, even in low light conditions, as you could pump ISO... TC could be a nice to have..

Yeap, higher ISO is method I'm using now and it works pretty well. Just some funny feeling when I use it with tripod without TC in vertical style.

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by ghost77 Set up with the DSLR, 70-200L4 and tripod is well-balance with the tripod collar. Without the tripod collar, the whole set up is off-balance.

setup will be balanced even without tripod collar for the f4L

[bigu2fan]

Newbie here too. I read your thread and tried a few shots with my 70-200 f4L on tripod without collar. I experienced no problems, seems ok to me. Just a tot, could it be your tripod that is the issue? My tripod and tripod head can both take a max weight of about 6-8kg, so it is well within the limit of my 350D+70-200 f4 combo.

[mpenza]

i found it useful for use on a monopod too, especially when u need to shoot in portrait orientation for extended periods of time.

[smokeput]

err btw wat tripod is dat pix showing ar ?! seems very sturdy..
are those two tele used in thatpix 70-200 ?

[napsack]

Originally Posted by bigu2fan Newbie here too. I read your thread and tried a few shots with my 70-200 f4L on tripod without collar. I experienced no problems, seems ok to me. Just a tot, could it be your tripod that is the issue? My tripod and tripod head can both take a max weight of about 6-8kg, so it is well within the limit of my 350D+70-200 f4 combo.

Yeap, I had shot many times without TC on my tripod (GITZO G1158 + G1278M Ball Head) with vertical style and it works pretty well and even more stable when I remove battery grip. Just wondering whether would it be better if I use TC. Without TC I still can live with it though .

FYI, I called up CSC and they said they need about 1 1/2 mnth to order it from Japan at about ~S$160 and CP sells it around S$195 so maybe i'm not going to buy it

Thxx for your opinion yeeha

[bigu2fan]

Hello! I'm still learning so I stand corrected When I was hunting for a tripod recently, I asked CP what would be a suitable tripod for a 350D+100-400 combo(something I might get in the future), they advised me to get the Gitzo 2 series rather than the 1 series. Reason being it is bigger, heavier, can take a higher weight and more stable. They did not have stock of the 2 series though so I bought a similar type to the 2 series. That's why I suggested to look at the tripod config. Sometimes I do feel that my tripod and tripod head are very heavy when I lug it around, but when it is time to shoot photos, it helps a lot. No pain no gain I guess hehe.

Originally Posted by napsack Yeap, I had shot many times without TC on my tripod (GITZO G1158 + G1278M Ball Head) with vertical style and it works pretty well and even more stable when I remove battery grip. Just wondering whether would it be better if I use TC. Without TC I still can live with it though . FYI, I called up CSC and they said they need about 1 1/2 mnth to order it from Japan at about ~S$160 and CP sells it around S$195 so maybe i'm not going to buy it Thxx for your opinion yeeha

[+evenstar]

Originally Posted by smokeput err btw wat tripod is dat pix showing ar ?! seems very sturdy.. are those two tele used in thatpix 70-200 ?

the one on the left is a 70-200 f4, the other is the f2.8 brother i think..

tripods are gitzos if i'm not wrong...

[napsack]

Originally Posted by bigu2fan Hello! I'm still learning so I stand corrected When I was hunting for a tripod recently, I asked CP what would be a suitable tripod for a 350D+100-400 combo(something I might get in the future), they advised me to get the Gitzo 2 series rather than the 1 series. Reason being it is bigger, heavier, can take a higher weight and more stable. They did not have stock of the 2 series though so I bought a similar type to the 2 series. That's why I suggested to look at the tripod config. Sometimes I do feel that my tripod and tripod head are very heavy when I lug it around, but when it is time to shoot photos, it helps a lot. No pain no gain I guess hehe.

That's good and actually there is no absolute right or wrong here . I find that using TC is easier in term of making portrait composition on your tripod i.e. don't need to adjust tripod head but there is price to pay in this case. About tripod, GITZO series-2 is definitely more stable because of its size & weight but the reason I choose series-1 was its light weight which is good for travelling (it fits very nicely in my luggage) and overall new carbon fiber leg that can support up to 4.5Kg, that is about my 30D (with grip) + 70-200 f/4L + my bag (to put down more weight and make it more stable).

[sehsuan]

I would guess to say, if you're using a heavy machine which is in excess of 1.5kg, the tripod collar would not help. Do remember that the lens is only about 700 grams only (not sure with collar or not).

[niki]

no need.

[napsack]