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Nikon tripod foot
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Jul 20, 2021 16:58:36   #
trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia
 
I have seen a number of posts, including for sale ads, that were less than complimentary of the issue Nikon tripod foot. None, however, stated what the problem, or problems, with that foot seem to be. Can anyone with actual experience post a reason why there is a problem with the Nikon foot? It appears that the only alternative is an after market item that sells for around $250.

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Jul 20, 2021 17:22:37   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
What Lens trapper?
I have an excellent Kirk LP-47 for my AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF ED VR Nikkor
It is stellar and is Arca Swiss compatible... I've used it for nearly a decade and love how solid it is...

I also have the Kirk LP-45 for my AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G IF ED VR II Nikkor
Again it is totally epic... Arca Swiss compatible and Rock Solid! EZ to remove for hand holding...

That said... If you aren't shooting commercially i.e. full day then you may not appreciate what Kirk brings to the table... There are compelling reasons why folks wait in line to purchase Kirk aftermarket components..

Hope this helps trapper and please share what optics you are using in order to get meaningful feedback...

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Jul 20, 2021 17:29:34   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
trapper1 wrote:
I have seen a number of posts, including for sale ads, that were less than complimentary of the issue Nikon tripod foot. None, however, stated what the problem, or problems, with that foot seem to be. Can anyone with actual experience post a reason why there is a problem with the Nikon foot? It appears that the only alternative is an after market item that sells for around $250.


It depends on which lens and foot you are considering. Some are ok, others not so much.

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Jul 20, 2021 17:32:20   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
Like gene said... totally depends on the lens... the two I listed above are superb...
Albeit there isn't a good option for the AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E in my humble estimation...
All the after market ones I tried fell way short of my expectations for that piece of kit...

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Jul 20, 2021 18:24:38   #
kpmac Loc: Ragley, La
 
I know for my 80-200 the foot can't be used for carrying. It's way too close to the lens and has no room for my fingers to grip it. Other than that it's perfectly fine.

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Jul 21, 2021 06:08:42   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
Over and above issues specific to a lens, Nikon feet are not Arca-Swiss compatible. You would need to purchase an accessory plate to use with A-S clamps.

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Jul 21, 2021 08:54:01   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
trapper1 wrote:
I have seen a number of posts, including for sale ads, that were less than complimentary of the issue Nikon tripod foot. None, however, stated what the problem, or problems, with that foot seem to be. Can anyone with actual experience post a reason why there is a problem with the Nikon foot? It appears that the only alternative is an after market item that sells for around $250.


Most tripod collars/feet for most lenses are heavily compromised for stability - and Nikon's more so than most.

A long lens support bracket goes a long way to mitigate the poor designs for stability and also acts as a carry handle.
Tamron 300 2.8 showing modification to original collar and the bracket ......

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273755611186?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372


(Download)

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Jul 21, 2021 08:59:07   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
"...Nikon feet are not Arca-Swiss compatible." ClarkJohnson yes this has been a major caveat for Nikkors up until the latest release i.e. Nikon AF-S 70-200 f/2.8E FL VR ED which finally sports a Arca-Swiss compatible Foot. No need to purchase a Kirk replacement here...

btw, that new Nikkor is also the first AF-S 70-200 f/2.8 that doesn't suffer from horrific focus breathing at portraiture distance... my AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G IF ED VR II is actually only a 135mm optic when set to 200mm from minimum focus distance out to ~ 15 feet...

Nikon finally got the news... Folks were weary of having to pony up another $250 for a Arca-Swiss foot...
And caved in to portrait shooters and produced a "True" 200mm optic for those commercial photographers.

trapper we are still waiting on WHY you broached your query... a.k.a. what Nikkor are you interested in?
Thanks!

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Jul 21, 2021 09:10:09   #
Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC
 
imagemeister the OP is interested in Nikon's offerings...
Not Tamron or Sony... Just saying

Most current long glass Nikkors have superb vibration control which can be far more important than a massive tripod mount for their target audience. Think SPORTS and portraiture imagemeister... where Monopod use dominates as does high shutter speeds... Not landscape, etc. likely precious few purchase long glass for static subjects... again just saying... Most wildlife shooters I know actually hand hold... Gimbals can help (but mostly hinder) especially BIF...

Do you actually shoot long Nikkors? If so which ones imagemeister? What issues do you have with your Nikkors imagemeister? Do you use third party mounts on them? Which third party mounts have you found to work best on your long Nikkors imagemeister? What genre do you deploy your long glass for imagemeister?

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Jul 21, 2021 09:32:22   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Thomas902 wrote:
imagemeister the OP is interested in Nikon's offerings...
Not Tamron or Sony... Just saying

Most current long glass Nikkors have superb vibration control which is far more important than a massive tripod mount for their target audience. Think SPORTS imagemeister... where Monopod use dominates as does high shutter speeds... Not landscape, etc. likely precious few purchase long glass for static subjects... again just saying...

Do you actually shoot long Nikkors? If so which ones imagemeister? What issues do you have with your Nikkors imagemeister? Do you use third party mounts on them? Which third party mounts have you found to work best on your long Nikkors imagemeister?
imagemeister the OP is interested in Nikon's offer... (show quote)


This "problem " crosses ALL lens makers - it is not only Nikon ! ...... I use this lens support for hand holding, monopod bodypod and tripod - I just happen to show on a tripod - and NO, I do not use it for landscapes necessarily. I DO think wildlife birds which, for all intents and purposes requires the same requirements as your "SPORTS" ! It is not entirely about stability tho - also about lens weight management and ergonomics.
I have used a 300 f4 and 200-500 Nikkors.
.

on monopod......
on monopod.........
(Download)

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Jul 21, 2021 12:12:03   #
ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA
 
Thomas902 wrote:
"...Nikon feet are not Arca-Swiss compatible." ClarkJohnson yes this has been a major caveat for Nikkors up until the latest release i.e. Nikon AF-S 70-200 f/2.8E FL VR ED which finally sports a Arca-Swiss compatible Foot. No need to purchase a Kirk replacement here...

btw, that new Nikkor is also the first AF-S 70-200 f/2.8 that doesn't suffer from horrific focus breathing at portraiture distance... my AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G IF ED VR II is actually only a 135mm optic when set to 200mm from minimum focus distance out to ~ 15 feet...

Nikon finally got the news... Folks were weary of having to pony up another $250 for a Arca-Swiss foot...
And caved in to portrait shooters and produced a "True" 200mm optic for those commercial photographers.

trapper we are still waiting on WHY you broached your query... a.k.a. what Nikkor are you interested in?
Thanks!
"...Nikon feet are not Arca-Swiss compatible.... (show quote)


Unfortunately, Nikon regressed and used a non-Arca foot for their “top-of-the-line” Z 70-200 f2.8 S. Go figure.

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Jul 21, 2021 12:27:35   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Thomas902 wrote:
What genre do you deploy your long glass for imagemeister?


Maybe you should peruse some of my 690 UHH topics.......?
.

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Jul 21, 2021 14:04:37   #
HRBIEL Loc: Rapid City, SD
 
Besides the obvious lack of an Arca Swiss interface that has already been mentioned, the Nikkor 500mm f5.6 pf lens comes with a removable foot. The foot slides onto the collar, is tightened with a knob on the foot itself and also incorporates a trigger release mechanism that can accidentally be activated when holding the system by the foot. If the knob is not tight enough and the trigger is activated you can be left holding only the removable foot and the lens/camera will be on the ground. This has happened to Steve Perry. So tighten yer knobs lol!

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Jul 21, 2021 17:19:48   #
joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
 
imagemeister wrote:
This "problem " crosses ALL lens makers - it is not only Nikon ! ...... I use this lens support for hand holding, monopod bodypod and tripod - I just happen to show on a tripod - and NO, I do not use it for landscapes necessarily. I DO think wildlife birds which, for all intents and purposes requires the same requirements as your "SPORTS" ! It is not entirely about stability tho - also about lens weight management and ergonomics.
I have used a 300 f4 and 200-500 Nikkors.
.
This "problem " crosses ALL lens makers ... (show quote)


Good for your muscles to carry that around 👁️🎯👁️

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Jul 21, 2021 17:25:38   #
joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA
 
imagemeister wrote:
Most tripod collars/feet for most lenses are heavily compromised for stability - and Nikon's more so than most.

A long lens support bracket goes a long way to mitigate the poor designs for stability and also acts as a carry handle.
Tamron 300 2.8 showing modification to original collar and the bracket ......

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273755611186?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372


Thanks for the great information

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