Tripod ring compatibility question

Manfr3d

Hi all, I'd like to know if the tripod ring
of the 300mm/4.0 L IS lens also fits on
the 70-200mm/4.0 L IS lens.

The official ring for the later is the A II
ring. If someone with the 300mm could
check what model the ring on it is ...
that would be greatly apreciated.

Thanks!

rpcrowe

Yes it fits...
The tripod ring for the 300mm f/4L lens as well as the 70-200mm f/4L and the 400mm f/5.6L is the Canon Tripod Mount Ring A(W).

The designator of the tripod ring for the 70-200mm f/4L IS is designated A(W)II.

I have absolutely no idea of the difference between the A(W) and the A(W)II ring. But, I do know that the A(W) fits both the non-IS and the IS version of the 70-200mm f/4L. I simply switched my ring from my non-IS model to the new IS lens when I upgraded and the ring fits and works perfectly. This might be a way Canon has decided to get some more money from us consumers.

By the way, there are Chinese rip-offs of the A(W) Ring on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tripod-Mount-Ring-for-Canon-70-200mm-300-400mm-Lens_W0QQitemZ160152930190QQihZ006QQcategoryZ15215QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There do appear to be some minor and one significant difference between the Canon models and the Chinese Rip-offs.

The Chinese ring has tripod screw holes for both 3/8 and 1/4 inch tripod screws. This could be a positive factor if your tripod/monopod uses a 3/8 inch screw.

On a possible down side, the connection between the top of the ring and the bottom seems to be different.

It appears that you need to unscrew the connector all the way in order to open the Chinese ring. The Canon model has sort of a latch assembly and you don't have to unscrew the thing completely in order to open it.

Whether that matters to you or not depends on your style of shooting and, of course, how often you remove the lens from the ring.

I have both the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and the 400mm f/5.6L lens. I shoot with two camera bodies and when I want to change lenses on my tripod, I simply open the ring and set the alternate lens in it. This is much easier than totally unscrewing the ring from the tripod head and IMO is probably a more positive way of mounting a lens.

Manfr3d

rpcrowe wrote:

I have both the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens and the 400mm f/5.6L lens. I shoot with two camera bodies and when I want to change lenses on my tripod, I simply open the ring and set the alternate lens in it. This is much easier than totally unscrewing the ring from the tripod head and IMO is probably a more positive way of mounting a lens.

Thats exactly what I am planning to do with the difference that
I want to use the tripod ring of the 300mm/4.0L IS with the
70-200mm/4.0 L IS. Like you said the ring of the 300mm/4.0L non-IS
fits on the two 70-200/4.0 versions as well as the 400mm/5.6L.
But if it also fits on the 300mm/4.0 L IS remains an open question.

I'm using arca swiss compatible mounting so a simple plate from markins
or reallyrightstoff for the tripod ring solves the mounting question for me.

I dont know how reliable those hong kong rings are for 30 bucks and less.
I'd rather invest a bit more and be sure to recieve an excellent piece of
engineering - just think of a tripod ring failure over concrete.

I really apreciate your thoughout reply

claudermilk

I took a look at that ebay auction. I'd personally spend the extra for a proper Canon ring myself. Several things bother me about that ring: 1) looks like a foam liner on the inside that probably interferes with spinning the lens, epsecially if those lenses have the mount pins like the 70-200/2.8, 100-400, and 300/2.8 I've used; 2) the foot is a separate piece and looks awfully short; 3) finally, if you want to go with an A-S QR system eventually, I'll bet the plates won't mount properly on this.