[LRflex] Re: leicareflex Digest V9 #125

From: Alan Siegle <alansiegle@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: leicareflex@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wed, 2 May 2012 14:54:06 -0700 (PDT)
INSTALLING A TRIPOD
COLLAR ON MY LEICA 80-200 f/4 R SERIES LENS


I have been using the optically excellent Leica Vario-Elmar
R 80-200 f/4 mm zoom lens on my Canon digital cameras via an adapter for many
years. This lens is not light (1.020 g = 2.25 lb or 36 oz) and I was never
comfortable using it on a tripod supported from the camera body.


I started search for a tripod collar that would fit around
the lens between the aperture ring and zoom ring. I tried three different 
after-market
collars, but the best fitting and construction was a Fotodiox Pro, Premium
Grade Tripod Mount Lens Collar for Canon EOS EF USM Lenses, 70-200mm F4L, 300mm
F4L and 400mm F5.6L Lenses as Canon A-2 Collar. Amazon sells this collar for 
$47.95,
it has a list price of $149.95. It is all metal and built better than any of
the after-market collars that I tested.


When I first tried to install the collar around the lens it would not latch,
after trying several times I realized the hang up was the red dot on the lens
barrel used for alignment. The fit was very close but the red dot was enough to
prevent the collar ring from latching. I popped off the red dot which is glued
on, and then the collar latched and locked in place. With the ring installed
between the aperture ring and zoom ring, I could adjust the aperture and zoom
setting and rotate the lens (for vertical or horizontal formats) if I loosen
the knob on the collar. The fit is just right and should fulfill my desire to
support the lens and camera on a tripod. At 2.25 pounds, the lens is too heavy
to hang off of the camera mount.


A word of caution, I would not leave the camera and lens
attached to the tripod while hiking. I donâ??t know if the tripod collar knob
would loosen if bumped or jarred. I would be more comfortable if the collar
connect was threaded and tightened down, rather than a cam system.


Alan

alansiegle@xxxxxxxxxxxxx



------
Unsubscribe or change to/from Digest Mode at:
   http://www.lrflex.furnfeather.net/
Archives are at:
    //www.freelists.org/archives/leicareflex/
[LRflex] Re: leicareflex Digest V9 #125

Other related posts:
