Manfrotto lens support BG3420 doesn't work with my 200-500 Nikkor. Help please.
Nov 19, 2018 22:22:14 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
Last week I bought a Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens and ordered at the same time a Manfrotto BG3420 lens support. When it arrived I discovered that I could not use it since most of the surfaces on the lens barrel either move or rotate. For any of you who use this lens with a support, what do you use?
Nov 19, 2018 22:24:49 #
Nov 19, 2018 22:29:04 #
DaveyDitzer wrote:
Davey, I have the Nikon 200-500. I bought a 3 inch Arca Swiss plate and attached it to the rotating collar.Return the Manfrotto for credit.Last week I bought a Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens and ordered at the same time a Manfrotto BG3420 lens support. When it arrived I discovered that I could not use it since most of the surfaces on the lens barrel either move or rotate. For any of you who use this lens with a support, what do you use?
Nov 19, 2018 22:29:50 #
JR45 wrote:
The footed collar that came with the lens works well.
No need for that contraption. It is for a lens with no foot.
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Nov 19, 2018 22:50:28 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
PixelStan77 wrote:
Davey, I have the Nikon 200-500. I bought a 3 inch Arca Swiss plate and attached it to the rotating collar.Return the Manfrotto for credit.
I looked at : PX3 ProMediaGear Arca-Swiss Type Universal Plate 3inch Long - Camera or Lens Plate . It looks like it just offers a small amount of movement of the center of gravity further from the camera body. Am I understanding this correctly? I am assuming (always risky) that the threaded holes are all 1/4x20 standard tripod threads.
Nov 19, 2018 23:14:25 #
DaveyDitzer wrote:
The collar on your 200-500 rotates 360 degrees with a lock for Horizontal or Vertical. I use it with a Gimbal Head and have no problem balancing.I looked at : PX3 ProMediaGear Arca-Swiss Type Universal Plate 3inch Long - Camera or Lens Plate . It looks like it just offers a small amount of movement of the center of gravity further from the camera body. Am I understanding this correctly? I am assuming (always risky) that the threaded holes are all 1/4x20 standard tripod threads.
Nov 19, 2018 23:17:57 #
I have a 3 1/2 inch Wimberley (Arca Swiss style) plate attached to the Nikon foot. Most of the plates come with 1/4 20 bolts. The lens manufacturers are pretty good at placing the feet in the right place.
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Nov 20, 2018 06:08:32 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
DaveyDitzer wrote:
Last week I bought a Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens and ordered at the same time a Manfrotto BG3420 lens support. When it arrived I discovered that I could not use it since most of the surfaces on the lens barrel either move or rotate. For any of you who use this lens with a support, what do you use?
WHY are you doing this? Nikon put a tripod collar on it for a reason. Use it. I have never mounted my 200-500 mm lens. Slows me down too much for wildlife photography. If your subject is not moving and sitting still, then, OK, use it.
Nov 20, 2018 06:25:47 #
@Davey, this is actually a terrible device for your stated purpose, in that it puts tremendous strain on the front of the camera body. Bad enough the weight of a long lens "pulls down" but the tie-down straps would seem to add to that problem. Never ever use it on a long heavy lens - as the others have said, the lens foot is there specifically to make for a more balanced kit on the tripod head as well as relieve the strain from the front flange.
Nov 20, 2018 07:02:22 #
shutterhawk
Loc: Cape Cod
This is a very odd looking set up. I'd recommend the a Kirk lens support system I've been using with my 200-500 on a Nikon D500. It's far from cheap but a very high quality piece of equipment. My copy and paste doesn't seem to be working but you can find it by looking up the 200-500 lens on the Kirk web site: www.kirkphoto.com
Nov 20, 2018 07:02:56 #
The Nikon 200-500 has a rotating collar/foot. I attach a quick release plate (Manfrotto or Arca Swiss type) to the collar, and have the matching quick release lock on my tripod/monopod. That lens/camera combo is HEAVY, so be sure your tripod is up to the task.
Nov 20, 2018 08:35:08 #
If you are truly looking for a long lens support I can recommend the one from Really Right Stuff. Not inexpensive but very well designed and versatile.
Nov 20, 2018 09:15:14 #
You don't need this gizmo... I rented a 200-500 recently and bought a 100mm (~4") ARCA plate to adapt to my tripod head. Worked great. It is a heavy rig! Need that tripod collar that was supplied with the lens to support and balance the load.
Nov 20, 2018 11:17:24 #
Nov 20, 2018 19:17:15 #
DaveyDitzer wrote:
Last week I bought a Nikon 200-500 f5.6 lens and ordered at the same time a Manfrotto BG3420 lens support. When it arrived I discovered that I could not use it since most of the surfaces on the lens barrel either move or rotate. For any of you who use this lens with a support, what do you use?
Here is what you need - https://www.ebay.com/itm/220mm-Y-ty-Telephoto-Lens-Support-Clamp-for-Arca-Hejnar-Benro-Fluid-Video-Head/172143858639?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
And you do NEED it - Why?? Mostly because the original foot is a BIG compromise for optimizing stability ! - Believe it !
RRS makes one of these also for 3X the price ....
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