seek advice on elongated tripod lens plate for super zoom: I have a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary that has a tripod foot that measures 1.5" x 2.5" & a Slik 700 DX Pro 3way Pan&tilt head...

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

I have a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary that has a tripod foot that measures 1.5" x 2.5" & a Slik 700 DX Pro 3way Pan&tilt head that is longger & wider than the lens tripod foot, so would there be any point in getting an elongated lens plate to 'spread the weight of the lens over a longer area when the interfacing area of the Slik head is longer & wider than the lens's tripod foot? Thanks in advance!

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

No

PoppieJ Loc: North Georgia

if the tripod foot will mount and tighten up in the head then you should be good. Take it out and shoot a few test shots and see if it is stable, that should answer all of your questions.

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

@ cahale & PoppieJ

Thanks for the replies. I never understood why having an elongated lens plate, longer than the base (head) it is attached to achieves anything. It is not like the extra length overhanging the base of the head it attached to is spread over over any support…

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Sometimes, there is one mounting hole that balances when the zoom is collapsed, and one that balances better when the zoom is extended.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Can make a better handle for carrying. Might also provide a better position to balance the weight..

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

seeker613 wrote:

@ cahale & PoppieJ

Thanks for the replies. I never understood why having an elongated lens plate, longer than the base (head) it is attached to achieves anything. It is not like the extra length overhanging the base of the head it attached to is spread over over any support…

For balancing the lens/camera combo, especially with a gimbal head. To balance my 150-600 with D750 attached, the lens foot is not all the way through the clamp, so I use a longer lens plate.

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Thanks, Larry! That fits w/what I saw on Steve Perry's 'gimbal' video on his backcountrygallery.com website, that moving a zoom can require re-balancing the weight the gimbal is holding… but I figured that it meant either adjusting the height of the big lens' center of gravity; or moving it fwd or back via the lens plate along the 'ARCA ridges' the gimbal is mounted on & that's why there were little screws front & back to prevent not only everything slipping out/off; but to serve as a guideline for when other measures need to be taken (vertical adjustments, or using some sort of counter-weight.

The 2nd hole would be another way to adjust overall balance, but since that would take a lot of time, comparatively, it seemed that would be for when one uses diff size lenses that have diff balancing requirements. I'll keep that in mind… ☺

CO

The long lens support plates are good to have. There are various manufacturers of these plates. I made one myself for my Nikon 80-400mm lens. The support at the end is made of a hard rubber and is machined to match the radius of the lens.

I made this one in a machine shop. The black portion is hard rubber. I machined it to match the radius of the end of the lens. I sent out the aluminum parts for hard anodizing after this.

(Download)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

seeker613 wrote:

I have a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary that has a tripod foot that measures 1.5" x 2.5" & a Slik 700 DX Pro 3way Pan&tilt head that is longger & wider than the lens tripod foot, so would there be any point in getting an elongated lens plate to 'spread the weight of the lens over a longer area when the interfacing area of the Slik head is longer & wider than the lens's tripod foot? Thanks in advance!

A longer QR plate is advantageous - but not so much for the reason you are describing - instead, or in addition to what you describe is the fact that when you tilt the lens up or down away from level - the point of balance changes. In addition to a longer plate, I recommend using a long lens support bracket - as all the big zoom tripod collars are heavily compromised for optimum positioning and strength ! - https://www.ebay.com/itm/203015844543
.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

I have the same lens. You need a sturdy tripod that can support the weight and you should be fine.

seeker613 Loc: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Thanks! I already have the figures of how much weight my tripod & head will support & there is plenty left over!

jcboy3

seeker613 wrote:

I have a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary that has a tripod foot that measures 1.5" x 2.5" & a Slik 700 DX Pro 3way Pan&tilt head that is longger & wider than the lens tripod foot, so would there be any point in getting an elongated lens plate to 'spread the weight of the lens over a longer area when the interfacing area of the Slik head is longer & wider than the lens's tripod foot? Thanks in advance!

One thing most suggestions have in common is that the lens mount is Arca compatible. The Arca mount allows the plate to slide to adjust balance. Long plates and lens supports are all designed using Arca mount to allow the camera position on the tripod head to be adjusted for balance.

Your Slik head is not Arca compatible; it uses a proprietary mount that has quick release features but no ability to balance the lens.

photoman43

For my tele lenses, especially zoom tele lenses, I always get lens plates for the tripod collar foot that are longer than the foot. I do this so I can get a batter balance point for the lens and camera when it is mounted to my ball head or gimbal head on a tripod. I much prefer lens plates that have two mounting screws to the foot.

This manual may give you some needed info about picking the right plate.

https://www.tripodhead.com/products/instructions-p-35.pdf

george19

seeker613 wrote:

I have a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary that has a tripod foot that measures 1.5" x 2.5" & a Slik 700 DX Pro 3way Pan&tilt head that is longger & wider than the lens tripod foot, so would there be any point in getting an elongated lens plate to 'spread the weight of the lens over a longer area when the interfacing area of the Slik head is longer & wider than the lens's tripod foot? Thanks in advance!

As many have said, balance. Pick a zoom point and set the best balance there. You might cross check balance points at longest and shortest focal lengths.

And…I mark match points on the mounting foot and the plate with a silver Sharpie.