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RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

khurram1
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

I upgraded this past spring from the EF 70-200 F2.8 L IS III lens to the RF 70-200 F2.8L IS lens to go all in on the RF lenses.

So far like the lens - love the weight, but have to get used to the telescoping zoom. One thing I don't like is that with the shorter lens and larger tripod collar, when I have the arca-swiss release on the lens, it is not easy closing the quick release on my RRS BH-55 ballhead because there isn't much room between the Vertical part of the RRS-l-Bracket for the EOS R5 (with grip), and the foot of the lens tripod collar.

I've always used attached all of my 70-200 F2.8L lenses for the past 20 years using the tripod collar/foot on the lens. I also find it much more convenient - much faster going from a landscape to portrait orientation by simply rotating the lens in the lens collar. However, with the short distance between the tripod collar on the lens, the lever clamp on the BH-55 ballhead and the RRS L-bracket, it isn't easy attaching the lens to the ballhead.

The question I have is that given that that this lens is lighter and smaller overall lens size, is there any risk in using the lens without the tripod collar, and just use the L-Bracket on the camera to to attach to the ballhead, rather than attaching the lens to to the ballhead

While I hate losing the versatility of being able switch from landscape to portrait by simply rotating the lens in its Tripod Dollar, there would be the benefit of making the lens even more compact. How are others attaching the RF 70-200 F2.8L on a tripod - using the lens tripod collar, or directly attaching the camera to the tripod

Aug 22, 2023 at 10:41 PM

stanj
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

I have never used the lens mount on the RF 70-200.

Aug 22, 2023 at 11:01 PM

jtford9
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

Ditto. The next time I use the lens mount on the RF70-200 will be the first time I have ever used it. I mount the R5 with grip and the 70-200 to my tripod via the camera bracket quite often to photograph the hummingbirds in our garden.

Aug 22, 2023 at 11:21 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

khurram1 wrote:
I upgraded this past spring from the EF 70-200 F2.8 L IS III lens to the RF 70-200 F2.8L IS lens to go all in on the RF lenses.

So far like the lens - love the weight, but have to get used to the telescoping zoom. One thing I don't like is that with the shorter lens and larger tripod collar, when I have the arca-swiss release on the lens, it is not easy closing the quick release on my RRS BH-55 ballhead because there isn't much room between the Vertical part of the RRS-l-Bracket for the EOS R5 (with...Show more →

I ditched the awful RRS level-lock clamp on the BH-55 many years ago. I'm not sure if that will help or not, but it's better than having to use a 70-200/2.8 on an L bracket like a caveman without proper support. I'd also consider removing the grip. Let us know what works as I've been eyeing that lens and use the RRS BH-55.

EBH

Aug 22, 2023 at 11:23 PM

khurram1
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

Thanks, will ditch the tripod collar. Should take up a lot less room in the bag!

stanj wrote:
I have never used the lens mount on the RF 70-200.

Aug 23, 2023 at 07:09 AM

khurram1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

Thanks! Sounds like you have the same setup as me. Will lose the tripod collar lens mount!

jtford9 wrote:
Ditto. The next time I use the lens mount on the RF70-200 will be the first time I have ever used it. I mount the R5 with grip and the 70-200 to my tripod via the camera bracket quite often to photograph the hummingbirds in our garden.

Aug 23, 2023 at 07:10 AM

khurram1
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

I ac illy bought a more compact ballhead - the Arcatech Panoramic ball head (much better lever clamp). But I use that with a levelling base only when shooting panoramas. I find that it’s too finicky. At times I worry about the lever on my BH-55, but it’s such a solid ballhead, that even though I’ve tried a few other ball heads over the last 12 years, I’ve always gone back to the BH-55. My first BH-55 was without the lever, but I prefer the lever over the knob - I just wish they had a lever like the arcatech.

As far as the lens goes, I’m liking the weight - no issues with sharpness. It’s still going to take some getting used to using the telescoping zoom - I’ve had every Canon 79-200 f2.8 going back to the EF 80-200, so its going to get a while getting used to it. I find have to remember to lock the zoom when packing. The zoom on the lens does shifts pretty easily.

The only real drawback I’m finding is that I had to ditch my 2 times converter. My 70-200 has always been my longest lens, so at some point I will probably need to pick up something like that RF 100-500. While I don’t shoot past 200mm to often anymore (mainly a landscape shooter), the times I need it, or the ant to shoot wildlife, I really miss the television converter.

EB-1 wrote:
I ditched the awful RRS level-lock clamp on the BH-55 many years ago. I'm not sure if that will help or not, but it's better than having to use a 70-200/2.8 on an L bracket like a caveman without proper support. I'd also consider removing the grip. Let us know what works as I've been eyeing that lens and use the RRS BH-55.

EBH

Aug 23, 2023 at 07:23 AM

EB-1
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

I was thinking about getting the RF 2.8 just to have the tripod mount, but thanks to this thread I'll save my money.

Aug 23, 2023 at 08:43 AM

khurram1
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

How do you like the RF 100-500?? Would it be too much to carry having both the 70-200 f2.8 and the 100-500 in the backpack?

EB-1 wrote:
I was thinking about getting the RF 2.8 just to have the tripod mount, but thanks to this thread I'll save my money.

Aug 23, 2023 at 10:09 AM

EB-1
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

EB-1 wrote:
I was thinking about getting the RF 2.8 just to have the tripod mount, but thanks to this thread I'll save my money.

I have or had all three of the EF f/4s and the f/2.8, 2.8 IS and 2.8 IS II. My f/2.8 IS II has been sitting in storage for like 10 years. I mainly used the f/4 IS and later the f/4 IS II.
I recently got the RF 70-200/4 and it works well for (shortish) landscapes. IQ is very good, but it sure is a PITA not having a tripod collar. I use the BH-55 and a...Show more →
khurram1 wrote:
How do you like the RF 100-500?? Would it be too much to carry having both the 70-200 f2.8 and the 100-500 in the backpack?

I often carry the 24-70/4, 16-35/4, and 100-500. Sometimes I use the RF 24-105 and 100-500 or RF 24-105 and 70-200/4. I don't often have the RF 70-200/4 and 100-500, but I would be even less likely with the f/2.8. I'm a strong believer in having lots of gear, but planning ahead and taking what I need for each outing. For landscapes the ability to focus bracket the RF lenses is huge. Some lenses that seemed softer at the corners are suffering field curvature that is a non-issue then. The 100-500 is the main reason I keep any Canon gear, but I use it equally as a "short" wildlife lens.

The lens I would really like is an RF 70-300L; that would be good for landscapes since we cannot use a TC on the 70-200s. The EF version was disappointing and it could be much lighter weight now.

EBH

Aug 23, 2023 at 11:04 AM

khurram1
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

Thanks. I should more wide angle than tele, so my most used lenses in order of use are the 14-35 F4L, 24-70 F2.8L, 70-200 f2.8L, and the 85 f1.2L. The 85L usually gets left at home now, since my kids have become allergic to being photographed. May end up selling it.

I’d really only be using the 100-500L for wildlife (like at my fall trip to Yellowstone and Tetons). But I don’t think I’d any to leave the 70-200 home in case I need the wider aperture. I use a mindShift Rotation backpack, so the small lenses and a camera are in the rotation compartment and the 70-200 and flash are in the main backpack, or accessory holder on the belt.

Do you have any issues using the tripod collar mount on the 100-500? Just wondering if I’m going to have the same issue using that with my L-Bracket and the lever on thr BH-55. It would make things simpler if Canon had the mount with a base that is arca-Swiss compatible, and leave in the screw-in option for the 1% of people who may actually screw in the mount directly to something other than an arca-Swiss plate.

EB-1 wrote:
I often carry the 24-70/4, 16-35/4, and 100-500. Sometimes I use the RF 24-105 and 100-500 or RF 24-105 and 70-200/4. I don't often have the RF 70-200/4 and 100-500, but I would be even less likely with the f/2.8. I'm a strong believer in having lots of gear, but planning ahead and taking what I need for each outing. For landscapes the ability to focus bracket the RF lenses is huge. Some lenses that seemed softer at the corners are suffering field curvature that is a non-issue then. The 100-500 is the main reason I keep any Canon gear,...Show more →

Aug 23, 2023 at 01:07 PM

EB-1
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · RF 70-200 F2.8 Tripod Collar

khurram1 wrote:
Do you have any issues using the tripod collar mount on the 100-500? Just wondering if I’m going to have the same issue using that with my L-Bracket and the lever on thr BH-55. It would make things simpler if Canon had the mount with a base that is arca-Swiss compatible, and leave in the screw-in option for the 1% of people who may actually screw in the mount directly to something other than an arca-Swiss plate.

The 100-500 tripod mount is poorly designed, but not a reason not to have the lens.
I use the Kirk A-S adapter, which fits tightly and prevents any movement. See these threads.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1813778
https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1761666

The RF 70-200/2.8 tripod collar is also not a pinnacle of design, but I haven't used it.

EBH

Aug 23, 2023 at 01:22 PM


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