allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

Evening all...

I do a lot of macro work in the studio. My go-to set up is an APS-C DSLR (D7500) on a Nikon bellows and a variety of enlarger lenses or reversed primes. It can turn into a pretty heavy, weight-forward system, but the bellows is easily mounted on a heavy tripod, so no problem.

Today I saw some impressive stacked images that had been captured with an APS-C Nikon using an AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G and a reversed 50mm prime in front of the zoom lens. I happen to have these lenses laying around and thought I would give this lens combination a try. However, when I get both lenses mounted on the camera, their combined weight is too much for me to rely on a camera mount for the tripod. For stability I need to mount the whole system at the camera end of the zoom ring on the 70-300.

The pictures show the setup - the pencil shows about where I would place the collar (80mm OD).

I have looked everywhere that I can think of for a compatible tripod collar, which seems like the best option. But as far as I can tell, there is no such thing. Has anyone else run into this? The OD of the 70-300 is 80mm, but I can't even find a universal collar for that OD. I can build something that will work, but I'd much rather just get a collar with an arca-type baseplate, and be done with it.

Any ideas? Anyone ever heard of a universal tripod collar?

Thanks for any fresh ideas. Allan

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Although it would see a tripod collar is the solution, I'd suggest instead:

1. An L-plate for the camera body, arca-swiss style
2. Using a remote shutter release

All sitting on a sturdy and stable tripod. RRS makes an L-plate specific to your D7500 model. Kirk and others may provide cheaper options, also arca-swiss. I like a wired shutter release. Given your studio situation, consider too a 2-second or 10-second delay on the shutter release, even from a wired control.

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

Thanks for the suggestions. I do use a good L-plate for the camera, have a very heavy studio tripod, and always use a remote shutter release. What worries me is having all that unsupported weight stressing the camera's F-mount. I didn't show it in the picture, but I would have the 70-300 extended fully, which is another 5 inches, or so.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The mount is metal. Of course there's a risk, but in a studio environment, violent and sudden movements that might strain the mount to a breaking point are relatively unlikely. If still concerned, even after considering the weight of 400mm to 600mm lenses mounted to these bodies, you could jury rig a support extending from below the camera that extends out to hold the far reaches of this configuration.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

If not RRS, maybe an L-bracket with nodal rails from Acratech?

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

I agree. I will probably end up going that route. I'm not concerned that the length and weight will break the mount, but this is a pretty cheap lens and I could see the contacts getting bent. But most likely not! Thanks again!

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

Thanks Mr. Wallace. I was just looking at that. Might be just the thing.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I'd shop wider than just one google search, but you could start with the idea of: Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support with Quick Release

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Allan, if you happen to decide that the Manfrotto option would work for you, I have one for sale. I've attached a link to the post.

Carol

https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-551168-1.html

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

You’re justified in being concerned about such a front-heavy setup. I doubt you’d be happy with any kind of mount on the zoom ring, or even with it resting on a pad. The Nikon PN-11 ring has a rotating tripod mount, but then you’ll also need something like a Nikon E2 ring or Fotodiox Viselex Macro Helicoid Nik D-Click to keep the diaphragm open. The discontinued E2 adds 14mm extension, the Viselex from 44.3-68.6, and the PN-11 is 52.5mm long. It may still be a bit nose-heavy, but would take the strain off the camera. You also wouldn’t have to extend the lens as much for more magnification.

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Try using a 250mm Arca Swiss plate with a YLS-02F mounted at the lens end. With a bit of mucking around you can position the YLS-02F on any part of the lens train that you consider needs additional support. Worked for me. The only thing to watch for is you can get some interference if you tilt the camera/lens too far forward (can hit the tripod). Any you might not want to do that anyway because too heavy a lens train will bust any mount system.
The 200/300mm plate comes with a mounting point to attach the roller attachment to the front. In my case I had to remove the roller bit off the shipped plate and attach it to a shorter plate to give me clearance. The whole setup sits on a Sunwayfoto screw plate to increase allowable movement. I have some time issues otherwise I would photograph it. Maybe I will do this later when back from holidays.
The whole system is an advertisement for the convenience of Arca Swiss and would appeal to those who used to love playing with Meccano when they were younger. Took me two months to perfect. It looks quite elaborate but it had to hold a camera with an L bracket.

CO

Really Right Stuff, Andoer, and other manufacturers make long lens supports.
http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Lens-Support-Pkg-dual-Quick-Release
https://www.amazon.com/Andoer-Adjustable-Compatible-Arca-Swiss-Sunwayfoto/dp/B074PQFDS5

I made my own support for my 80-400mm lens in a machine shop. If you need any custom pieces made, I could probably do it for you. I later sent out the aluminum pieces to a metal finishing company for hard anodizing. I used a dovetail cutter on a milling machine to machine the Arca-Swiss standard dovetails.

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chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

If you look at the 2nd URL from CO above you will see the problem. The clamp/plate to mount the camera on runs front/back whereas on all my tripods the clamp/plate goes left to right (to mount an L bracket for example). If you look at the bottom of a camera the most logical way to mount a plate is left/right (as used on an L bracket). If you mount a plate front/rear you need to use a small plate otherwise it sticks out front and rear. And I prefer to use plates as large as I can to give a more stable clamp. You can buy clamps that will adapt one orientation to the other. As I said earlier it took me months as nobody sells this stuff in NZ and I had to wait for snail mail for parts.
The biggest single problem with Arca Swiss is deciding to set up for a left/right or front/back mounting orientation. And sometimes where the designer thought you might fit a clamp you find the best solution is to fit a plate (or vv). Hence the need to be good at using meccano to find the best combination.

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

Thanks Carol. That looks like just what I had in mind. I had not known about this device. I will get in touch by PM in the next few days (after this weather moves on!). Thanks!

allanwalls Loc: Fairhope, Alabama, USA

Thanks everyone. These are all fantastic ideas. Before I decide on the best solution for my needs I am going to rig up a temporary support, based on the ideas above, to see if this lens arrangement works for me. I have tried other mid-zoom + reversed prime combos and have been disappointed by the amount of distortion and CA. Thanks again. This has been extremely helpful!