The AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8 that I bought used came without a lens collar/tripod ring, I'm now finding that I really need support for the lens in order to get the shots I want, which means I need a lens collar.
So I contacted Nikon to find out how much a replacement part would be, "a little metal ring?" they said, "that'll be AUD$150" so I laughed at them and hung up the phone. Most people have told me that the Kirk replacement collar is a far superior piece of kit, so I looked that up - almost AUD$200!
I can't afford either of these at the moment, so I hopped on eBay and buy-and-sell forums all over the internet trying to find one for sale, even if it's just a cheap Chinese knock-off - no luck, they only knock-off the Canon lens collars. Now the AF-S 80-200mm appears to have a diameter of 85mm at the point were the lens collar attaches, the largest Canon lens collar I can find (the one for the 28-300mm and 100-400mm lenses) has a diameter of 82mm - does anyone know if a longer screw will allow me to make up for the 3mm defecit?
These knock-offs only cost about $35, so they make a far more appealing option. And I don't need a perfect lens collar, I just need some way of supporting the lens (a strap wound around the lens and attached to the top of my monopod just isn't working).
My other question is, does anyone have a spare AF-S 80-200mm lens collar they'd be willing to sell me? An original or replacement, I don't care.
Tempting though the Canon rings may be, fuggedaboutit. The radius of the ring is too small, and will bind. It will make contact in only a couple of places--NOT what you want it to do.
