Tripod Mounting Rings

Daffodil

Hi

I'm looking to buy a tripod mounting ring for my 100mm f/2.8 USM canon lens and the original Canon ones are apparently £150 (not that I can find one anywhere!) but there are lots of compatible ones that are plastic (i presume the canon one to be metal).
I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience of these... are the compatibles any good or should I may as well mount my camera body on the tripod rather than buying a plastic compatible?

thanks

ziggy53

I suggest that the plastic versions are not worth the risk.

I did find this metal version on EBay, but I have to experience with the vendor or the product:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/METAL-Tripod-Mount-Ring-B-Canon-EF-100mm-f-2-8-Macro-USM-/220886337303?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item336dda0717#ht_3485wt_881

Daffodil

thank you, that is very kind and helpful. I shall try it mounted on the camera body tomorrow and see what it's like, i've only had the lens a few days and not had chance to play with it yet. :-)

paddler4

I've bought three from HK vendors on eBay because of Canon's seemingly ridiculous markup on theirs. One turned out to be plastic. In addition to being a risk, it flexed, so that one went in the trash. The other two have been metal and seem OK, but the casting of one of them (brand name is "shoot") appears much higher quality than the casting of the other (no brand on the ring, and I don't have the packaging). However, I am a little nervous, as some people have posted warnings about pot metal rings that broke in use.

If other people have any experiences of that sort, it would be helpful to hear.

puzzledpaul

I've had zero experience with 3rd party items, but I've had the threaded insert on an official Canon one 'part company' with the rest of the casting. Upon inspecting the item, I was amazed at just how thin the material was at the bottom of the 'blind hole / top flange'.

The item was for a 400/f5.6L or a 70-200f4L (same ring type, just can't remember which lens it came with, as have both lenses)

Re the price - yes - way over the top for 'official' ones imo.

Best deal I got was with the one associated with the 70-200, which I bought used from a local shop. (They were selling lens / ring separately) . I bought the lens (without ring) first, being fairly confident that they'd have more difficulty selling the ring on its own.

I pestered them every time I went in afterwards and eventually got it for a more sensible amount a few weeks later.

pp