Canon 70-200 f/2.8 II Weight On Camera

YoshiK1

YoshiK1

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Hello,

I've just got the above mentioned lens and the tripod collar gets in the way of zooming so much I've had to take it off. Can the 5DMKIII hold the weight of this lens? I'd use it on a Joby pro sling and have it hanging by my side.

Now I've never had a 70-200 but this one comes in about 1.5kg. I have always had the 100-400 MKI and MKII and have always been told to mount the lens on a monopod as the camera won't hold the weight of the lens and it will
snap the mount off the camera. This was on a 6D.

With all this considered I'm on the assumption I should support the lens at all times because it weighs similar to the 100-400 lenses? Or is that all c0ck and bull?

Cheers
 
I don't have that combo, I have a 70D with grip and a 70-200 F2.8 Sigma. The combination is certainly quite weighty and I wouldn't want to put the strain directly on the camera - at least not on a tripod - hanging on a strap though maybe. I use a long strap just fastened to the camera when it hangs around my neck/shoulder and I think it's ok doing that as the weight is just hanging down.
I'm not sure how the collar mounts on your lens but on the sigma I can just rotate it so it fits nicely into my hand.
 
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Instead of taking off the tripod collar, simply rotate it 180 degrees to the tripod mount is on the top if you are hand holding, and rotate it back when you want to use it on a tripod.

The tripod mount on the camera will easily support the weight of the camera and lens. I use a black rapid strap and leave my camera with 300 2.8 and 1.4 convertor attached without any worries or problems, and that combo makes the 70-200 feel light in comparison!
 
Hi Yoshik I have the same combo. I would not risk attaching the strap to the camera body. I suggest putting the collar back on the lens so you can attach there. Try moving the collar around to find a good position for zooming or adapting your technique? Personally I use it quite a lot on a strap this way at events an never had a problem with zoom. Could you explain more the exact issue?
 
I can walk around with a 7D and 70-200mm II in my hand (no strap) and I haven't had a problem with the mount ... but for some reason I would be a bit wary about doing the same with a strap attached to the body. Possibly because it would swing around a lot more on a strap.
 
For those requiring more explanation - The tripod collar was getting in the way of the zoom ring because it sits over the entire zoom ring on the under side. When turning the zoom ring my fingers hit the collar and I have to move my hand back to starting position mid way through the length of the zoom in the lens. Without the tripod collar I could zoom from 70-200 in one motion. With the collar I can zoom 70-200 in two or three motions making it slower and clunky to use. I was worried about the weight of the lens on the camera mount by attaching my strap to the camera rather than the tripod collar because it was removed.

@JohnStewart - I'll need to have another look again tonight. I thought at 180 degrees or less is when the collar lines up with the dots for removal? I did try it at about 90 degrees but didn't work which I knew it wouldn't. I'll have a look tonight however that may fix my issue if it can sit on the top but I'd still need to adjust my technique as I have large "hulk hands" as they've been called before haha.

I may need to just play with it and figure out a better way to use it.
 
I have been carrying a 70-200 IS II and an 100-400 original then II for years with the strap on the camera with no problems whatsoever (7D, 7DII and 5D3). I always either support the lens or just hold the lens when the camera is horizontal, but hanging down vertically whilst being carried puts very little strain on the mount.
 
I see what you mean have to rethink :) I guess strap attached to lens mount has been a good reminder to me to support the lens.
 
The first thing I did with mine was take the collar off.. I am never going to put it on a tripod or a monopod so whats the point of having it on.... lots of hand holding may as well get rid.. feels better..
 
True, I only use the mount for video.
 
Interestingly with my sigma I prefer the collar on. I rotate the collar about 30 degrees off the vertical so that it fits nicely into my left palm. My palm takes the weight and supports at the front leaving my thumb and forefinger free to use the zoom. I guess it's what you feel comfortable with.

I wouldn't use the collar on the lens to hang the camera lens from though, it would get in the way and move around uncontrolled.
 
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So rotating it 180 degrees works but then it's not useable as a mount unless it's turned back round again and then attached.

I've been practicing with turning he zoom with just my thumb and it works but it's not quick for sports unless I just need more practice.

I'll just need to mess around and find something that works better for me.

Also I contacted Canon direct and always advised to use the collar. Here's the screenshot. I noticed they said 7D which I've not got and selected 5DMKIII so I don't know if it would be different but I doubt it.

Thanks for all the replies! :)

image.jpeg
 
What was the question this is responding to?
 
I always walk round with the 70-200 connected to my 5d3, 7d2, 1d4, all of them, via a black rapid strap. I keep the collar on and kind of support the lens by holding the collar - most of the time. I've never had an issue.
 
I take the collar off, when hand-holding but put it back on for the tripod. With a 1Ds I feel the need of a little balance, even with quite a solid set of legs! :)
 
It strikes me the Canon response is regarding use of the lens attached to the camera on a tripod.

The questions did not make it clear that you are talking about using a strap, so it would have been an easy to assume since you were talking about the tripod collar to assume you are tripod mounting.

For info. The 70-200mm II is about 1.6 kilos. A 5D3 plus loaded battery grip is about 1.5 kilos. I wouldn't worry about where you fasten to your strap, they are both more than capable of supporting each other.
 
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