Nikon 28-300 VR 3.5-5.6 Owners. "FYI": Please excuse the photos, I did them in a hurry. :sm16: I have this lens, and it is mounted on a Nikon D750. I really love this lens but it is...

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

Please excuse the photos, I did them in a hurry.

I have this lens, and it is mounted on a Nikon D750.

I really love this lens but it is very front heavy when mounted on a tripod, and very much so when mounted on my mono pod. (IMO) I have no trouble with it when I am just doing some normal shooting.

I found this collar on Amazon. It is made exclusively for this lens. I did some research on it and decided to bu it. I did buy it through Amazon, and then a few days later, I found the "EXACT SAME COLLAR" on E-Bay for $20.00 cheaper. (So much for my research) So...if you are interested, I would buy it on E-Bay!!!

That said:

As the attached shots show, the CG is now moved so that the lens is "LOTS MORE" manageable on both the tripod & the mono pod. Other then buying it at the wrong price..."It was a good move"

In the first photo I have the camera mounted via an L Bracket. In the second photo it is mounted via the collar + a battery grip. When I used this setup prior to installing the collar I really felt there was "To much Force on the Battery Grip due to the bulk of the weight being so far out in front of my ball head".

With the collar, it is a pleasure to go in the field!

Just thought some others may want this info. Check it out. I found the collar to be a real high quality piece of "STUFF" !

Thanks, Boone.
Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W6K6G7B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

No photos are attached....

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

There are photos on my screen! Are there photos now?

Thanks, Boone.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Yes

Boone Loc: Groundhog Town USA

K

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I have a Manfrotto tripod and don't have the "front heavy" problem. As far as heavy lenses go, the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 is much heavier. I do love my 28-300 as well.

marquina Loc: Richmond, Virginia

I also have the 28-300, but I don't feel to be "too heavy" for a tripod. This lens is my walk-around lens on my D750 and it performs extremely well.

RowdyRay Loc: MN

Very cool. Thanks for sharing. Changing the CG will definitely make things easier to manage. Being the curious sort, I did some Googling to see what other mounts are available. Didn't find anything I could use, but others may benefit from it.

https://www.photoloving.com/Professional-Canon-Nikon-Sigma-Replacement-Tripod-Mount-Ring-iShoot-c40657/

If you find one that'll work for you, check Amazon and Ebay. 20 bucks is, well......another case of beer. Lol.

Bill_de Loc: US

I got something similar for my Sigma 100-400. Although I usually hand hold it, when mounted on a tripod it seemed like a lot of weight on the front end.

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SteveR Loc: Michigan

Bill_de wrote:

I got something similar for my Sigma 100-400. Although I usually hand hold it, when mounted on a tripod it seemed like a lot of weight on the front end.

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I have this Manfrotto Grip Ball Head (also known as Pistol Grip) on my Manfrotto tripod. It is a really tight head, easy to maneuver, yet holds even heavy cameras and lenses rock steady. I'm not sure how much your Sigma 100-400 weighs, but if it's similar to the Tamron 100-400, this head would handle it and remain rock steady. The Amazon price for this item is less than Manfrotto's price, btw.

https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-322RC2-Joystick-Head-Short/dp/B000JLK5PK

Bill_de Loc: US

SteveR wrote:

I have this Manfrotto Grip Ball Head (also known as Pistol Grip) on my Manfrotto tripod. It is a really tight head, easy to maneuver, yet holds even heavy cameras and lenses rock steady. I'm not sure how much your Sigma 100-400 weighs, but if it's similar to the Tamron 100-400, this head would handle it and remain rock steady. The Amazon price for this item is less than Manfrotto's price, btw.

https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-322RC2-Joystick-Head-Short/dp/B000JLK5PK

It isn't a question of the head being able to hold it, but the amount of weight the flange has to support. My Nikon 70-200 is only 1/2 pound more and comes with a collar.

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User ID

SteveR wrote:

I have a Manfrotto tripod and don't have the "front heavy" problem. As far as heavy lenses go, the Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 is much heavier. I do love my 28-300 as well.

Thanks. I never knew your 70-200 was so heavy.

User ID

Bill_de wrote:

It isn't a question of the head being able to hold it, but the amount of weight the flange has to support. My Nikon 70-200 is only 1/2 pound more and comes with a collar.

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Flange strength is no problem.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

Bill_de wrote:

It isn't a question of the head being able to hold it, but the amount of weight the flange has to support. My Nikon 70-200 is only 1/2 pound more and comes with a collar.

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Bill....The reason I mentioned the ball is because I was impressed that with the pistol grip I could press the lever, move the camera into the position that I wanted it, and when I let go of the lever the ball grip would hold tightly. The camera did not move one iota. You may have something with the flange as well. Whatever, the entire combination of the tripod, connection (flange?) and ball grip were rock solid. The combination of tripod and head was not inexpensive, but I am totally satisfied. It's rock solid. This particular head also has a safety mechanism built in so that the camera will not fall off the tripod accidentally. It came in handy for me on one occasion. Very well designed.

Bill_de Loc: US

SteveR wrote:

Bill....The reason I mentioned the ball is because... (show quote)

This thread wasn't about the strength or stability of a tripod and head, The OP and I were talking about adding a tripod collar when one wasn't supplied with the lens. Having on the lens also makes it easy to use a gimbal.

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