Nikon 300mm f/4 tripod collar revisited

Check for an empty 3/8-16 thread socket at the bottom of the tripod plate. Maybe your model of tripod was supposed to come with a hook installed in it, but they forgot to include it. One came with my 3-series tripod.

I took out my Gitzo hook because it's too shallow and a camera bag strap can slip off so easily. You aren't missing that much. I replaced it with a J-hook that I bought from a local hardware store. It's ugly but it cost less than $1 and it securely holds anything I have suspended from it.