I've just ordered the Nikon 80-400 VR for my D300 and have heard tell of the tripod collar being a bit on the cheap side. Does anyone know of a better replacement/substitute available through second party sources?
Get the kirk collar -- I know someone that bought the lens, then sold it, then bought it again, and finally sold it again... but both times that he owned it - he had the kirk collar, and swore by it. Yes - that's our Glenn -- crazy man.
My copy of this lens came with the Kirk collar, as I bought it second hand. This was added value for me, as I intended to buy the Kirk collar anyway. I'm extremely pleased with the collar, and would buy it again in a heartbeat. It does prevent you from storing the lens inside the hood, but I don't mind that.
The Kirk collar mounts perfectly onto my Really Right Stuff quick release, by the way--an important point for me, and one about which some doubt had been raised by RRS.
find no problem with the lens on a tripod straight from BH .. i'd check yours out before possibly spending the money -- seldom use the tripod on the lens with a D80 .. either hand held for a few shots or with a bean bag works great.
