Some things never change: death, taxes, and useless tripod collars on long Nikon lenses.
There are the usual suspects, Kirk and RRS, at their usual ultra premium pricing. And then there is Leofotk (currently as low as $80) and Haoge at a rock bottom price of $49.
Leofotonhas yet to disappoint me with any of their products, and I like the nice touch of a soft pad to make lugging it around easier. Haoge has a QD hole and is well reviewed but I can't see myself every wanting to put this lens on a neck strap.
Any reason not to go for Leofoto?
PS I purchased my 180-600 from MAP Camera (via eBay) at a rock bottom price. It arrived in a few days, with free shipping and guaranteed free returns if I am not happy. The less was classified as "visible use and haze". Whatever the "visible use" was, I can't see it. And neither can I see "haze". If someone on this forum had sold me this lens described as "like new" I would have been perfectly happy.
I went with the Leofoto because of the comfy handle. That was 8 months ago. Not the smoothest rotation when mounted on a tripod. But, not bad. I use it as a handle 90% of the time anyway. I believe Leofoto does make a swivel quick release that will mount on the handle if a strap needed to be attached.
I considered the Leofoto but two people on this forum were adamantly against either Leofoto or the foot they make for the 180-600.
For me, the 180-600’s lens collar is smooth enough. I like it. But the foot is lousy. When will Nikon ever catch on? . These short feet are ridiculous. Unacceptable.
So, I think I’ve found a solution that will be arriving here soon.
Currently using the stock foot with a plate from Hejnar to lengthen it and use as a good handle with a QR. Seems for the replacements out there, including Leofoto, opinion is split about how well they work.
I have other Leofoto products, QR plates and a tripod, and they work quite well, but will wait on a replacement foot for now..
ahamp wrote:
I went with the Leofoto because of the comfy handle. That was 8 months ago. Not the smoothest rotation when mounted on a tripod. But, not bad. I use it as a handle 90% of the time anyway. I believe Leofoto does make a swivel quick release that will mount on the handle if a strap needed to be attached.
Thanks for this, will get one after I got the lens!
I have the LeoFoto collar, but I don't love it... I like the soft padding for hand carry, but struggle to keep it rigid on a tripod. I actually think the Nikon collar locked the lens down better and I used it with an extended Henjar foot machined for the Nikon Collar. Because 99% of my use for the 180-600 is from a boat, I'm more concerned about how I can carry and hold it. Because of the latter, I keep the LeoFoto on the lens... were I to be using it on an extended outing with a tripod, I'd put the Nikon collar back on.
I suspect that Kirk and RRS have better solutions, but the 180-600 is a special purpose lens for me, and thus not worth the additional expense.
OwlsEyes wrote:
I have the LeoFoto collar...but struggle to keep it rigid on a tripod. I actually think the Nikon collar locked the lens down better and I used it with an extended Henjar foot machined for the Nikon Collar.
I'm surprised by this. Are you saying the Leofoto flexes? Or what makes it less rigid?
My Leofoto collar does not flex at all. It is completely rigid when locked down; the only flex or movement in the system is the slop in the lens mount when attached to the camera body.
MikeEvangelist wrote:
I'm surprised by this. Are you saying the Leofoto flexes? Or what makes it less rigid?
Maybe it's a QC issue, but when I lock everything down, I find that the collar flexes and even moves side to side a bit. The latter does not happen when I use the OEM collar. Were I to use this lens from a tripod, I'd definitely buy a Kirk or RRS product (though... I'm not sure RRS makes a collar for the 180-600). Regardless of my issues, I know others find the LeoFoto to work for them...
The Kirk collar looks like a knock-off of that horrible cantilever design from the old Nikon AFS 200-500mm lens, and it's triple the cost of the rock-solid Leofoto collar, so it was an easy decision for me.
. These short feet are ridiculous. Unacceptable.