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Fix for Sony 70-350 lens droop on tripod

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Zductive

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The 70-350 lens has enough magnification that the slight droop when you let go of the camera is objectionable. I found some videos that say that the droop is caused by the torque on the tripod because the lens is not balanced.



Simple fix for droop
Simple fix for droop

I use a quick release arm assembly to offset the camera for panoramas. It turns out that same assembly solves the droop issue. The picture shows the details.

This is not novel, but, it solves my problem.
 
Zductive said:
The 70-350 lens has enough magnification that the slight droop when you let go of the camera is objectionable. I found some videos that say that the droop is caused by the torque on the tripod because the lens is not balanced.

Simple fix for droop
Simple fix for droop

I use a quick release arm assembly to offset the camera for panoramas. It turns out that same assembly solves the droop issue. The picture shows the details.

This is not novel, but, it solves my problem.
Click to expand...
That's what the foot on the lens is for. Don't mount it to the body. I have no idea what that jury-rig is you're using is. You want a quick release on the tripod head and matching release on the lens foot. Arca Swiss compatible is the way to go. Manfrotto and some others make proprietary mounts/releases that you should avoid. A-S is the industry standard.

--
Dave
 
Guess he could...IF the 70-350 came with one ;-)
 
Snowfella said:
Guess he could...IF the 70-350 came with one ;-)
Click to expand...
Thanks, you may be right. I see that it's only 1.9-lbs, so no tripod is needed anyway. ;-)
 
dcstep said:
Zductive said:
The 70-350 lens has enough magnification that the slight droop when you let go of the camera is objectionable. I found some videos that say that the droop is caused by the torque on the tripod because the lens is not balanced.

Simple fix for droop
Simple fix for droop

I use a quick release arm assembly to offset the camera for panoramas. It turns out that same assembly solves the droop issue. The picture shows the details.

This is not novel, but, it solves my problem.
Click to expand...
That's what the foot on the lens is for. Don't mount it to the body. I have no idea what that jury-rig is you're using is. You want a quick release on the tripod head and matching release on the lens foot. Arca Swiss compatible is the way to go. Manfrotto and some others make proprietary mounts/releases that you should avoid. A-S is the industry standard.
Click to expand...
The 70-350 doesn’t have a lens foot, so your suggestion does not help in this case, and absent a lens foot, some jury rigging is necessary. Perhaps a company will make a third party lens foot for the 70-350 E lens. There is a third party lens foot for the 70-300 FE lens.
 
Zductive said:
The 70-350 lens has enough magnification that the slight droop when you let go of the camera is objectionable. I found some videos that say that the droop is caused by the torque on the tripod because the lens is not balanced.

Simple fix for droop
Simple fix for droop

I use a quick release arm assembly to offset the camera for panoramas. It turns out that same assembly solves the droop issue. The picture shows the details.

This is not novel, but, it solves my problem.
Click to expand...
Probably you are right, the magnification is so high (like a 500mm lens..) that the camera support point is not the right way to go.Your solution is about as good as you can get without real lens collar.

Just how do you manage the zoom (extracting lens)?
 
To all: yes, this is like adding a foot to the lens. I don't know whether the aftermarket foot for the 70-300 can be used. Maybe a foot for the 70-350 will be developed.

Front end of lens is not supported and is able to move freely. A support point could be created between the zoom and focus rings.

This drooping problem was originally observed while using the 55-210 lens with a 1.7x teleconverter trying to shoot the eclipse a couple years ago. It was like I needed to add windage to the shot.

Thanks for for your thoughtful comments
 
Question, did you deliberately post this in the lens forum?

Regarding the drooping, I have an l-plate for my a6600 and I can comfortably hold the base of the l-plate with thumb and two fingers with the 70-350 fully extended and it feels totally stable with very little stress on my grip! In other words what you describe is unlikely with a good plate and tripod imo. I use the small rig plate.
 
Zductive said:
To all: yes, this is like adding a foot to the lens. I don't know whether the aftermarket foot for the 70-300 can be used.
Click to expand...
It can not be used, as it is totally the wrong diameter. I had the 70-300, bought the foot, eventually sold the 70-300 and bought the 70-350. I’ll sell the foot on eBay.

Zductive said:
Maybe a foot for the 70-350 will be developed.
Click to expand...
I expect so, since I imagine the 70-350 will sell more copies than the 70-300.
 
ZodiacPhoto said:
https://www.amazon.com/DSLRKIT-Trip...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906459&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
I have this collar, as I wrote earlier, and it absolutely will not fit the 70-350, so don’t waste your money.
ZodiacPhoto said:
OR:

https://www.amazon.com/Machined-F4-...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906530&sr=8-4
Click to expand...
This collar seems to be the same size as the one above, but with an Arca foot. It says it is for the 70-300, which has a much larger diameter where the clamp attaches, compared to the 70-350. It won’t even come close to working on the 70-350.

Added: These are nice collars, and hopefully the company that makes them will make one for the 70-350.
 
Last edited:
CaliforniaDave said:
ZodiacPhoto said:
https://www.amazon.com/DSLRKIT-Trip...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906459&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
I have this collar, as I wrote earlier, and it absolutely will not fit the 70-350, so don’t waste your money.
CaliforniaDave said:
OR:

https://www.amazon.com/Machined-F4-...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906530&sr=8-4
Click to expand...
This collar seems to be the same size as the one above, but with an Arca foot. It says it is for the 70-300, which has a much larger diameter where the clamp attaches, compared to the 70-350. It won’t even come close to working on the 70-350.

Added: These are nice collars, and hopefully the company that makes them will make one for the 70-350.
Click to expand...
No collar is required for a6x with a decent tripod and a decent arcs plate on your camera!
 
Zductive said:
The 70-350 lens has enough magnification that the slight droop when you let go of the camera is objectionable. I found some videos that say that the droop is caused by the torque on the tripod because the lens is not balanced.

Simple fix for droop
Simple fix for droop
Click to expand...
Looking at this picture, I would 3d print a support fitting between the plate and the non-moving section of the lens barrel.
http://www.zodiacphoto.com
 
Advent1sam said:
CaliforniaDave said:
ZodiacPhoto said:
https://www.amazon.com/DSLRKIT-Trip...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906459&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
I have this collar, as I wrote earlier, and it absolutely will not fit the 70-350, so don’t waste your money.
Advent1sam said:
OR:

https://www.amazon.com/Machined-F4-...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906530&sr=8-4
Click to expand...
This collar seems to be the same size as the one above, but with an Arca foot. It says it is for the 70-300, which has a much larger diameter where the clamp attaches, compared to the 70-350. It won’t even come close to working on the 70-350.

Added: These are nice collars, and hopefully the company that makes them will make one for the 70-350.
Click to expand...
No collar is required for a6x with a decent tripod and a decent arcs plate on your camera!
Click to expand...
You are right, but it is also nice to have the center of gravity in the middle of the ballhead, works so much easier. In that case you can even get away with alighter tripod. i thing the solution of the ts can only be beaten by a lenscollar.
 
Rudy said:
Advent1sam said:
CaliforniaDave said:
ZodiacPhoto said:
https://www.amazon.com/DSLRKIT-Trip...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906459&sr=8-3
Click to expand...
I have this collar, as I wrote earlier, and it absolutely will not fit the 70-350, so don’t waste your money.
Rudy said:
OR:

https://www.amazon.com/Machined-F4-...ny+70-300+tripod+collar&qid=1577906530&sr=8-4
Click to expand...
This collar seems to be the same size as the one above, but with an Arca foot. It says it is for the 70-300, which has a much larger diameter where the clamp attaches, compared to the 70-350. It won’t even come close to working on the 70-350.

Added: These are nice collars, and hopefully the company that makes them will make one for the 70-350.
Click to expand...
No collar is required for a6x with a decent tripod and a decent arcs plate on your camera!
Click to expand...
You are right, but it is also nice to have the center of gravity in the middle of the ballhead, works so much easier. In that case you can even get away with alighter tripod. i thing the solution of the ts can only be beaten by a lenscollar.
Click to expand...
I have the a6600, so its already 500g, with the l-plate it adds another 120g, so the body is 620g in effect. The arca-plate though has a much wider base than just a standard tripod mount so the whole of the weight is nicely distributed across the the full width of the body in effect, so the loading on the mount in evenly distributed in effect and as the 70-350 is only 625g. Therefore, I am finding it hard to believe that even with the smaller a6x bodies and a good l-plate that the extra 100-150g of the lens over the combined weight of body of arca plate will add any sort of droop, except when using just the normal tripod mount without a plate you might experience something on a windy day, but generally, highly improbable!
 
Is this lens droop only an issue with ball heads or is it a problem with pan/tilt heads as well? I'm thinking of getting this lens to use on my a6300 and Manfrotto tripod with a pan/tilt head, but may rethink the purchase if lens droop is going to be a major issue.
 
Prufroc said:
Is this lens droop only an issue with ball heads or is it a problem with pan/tilt heads as well? I'm thinking of getting this lens to use on my a6300 and Manfrotto tripod with a pan/tilt head, but may rethink the purchase if lens droop is going to be a major issue.
Click to expand...
It's a common occurrence to me. I've had a few pan/tilt tripods, and with front heavy lenses like this, there is usually a little drop when I let go. I usually set the framing a little high to compensate. I haven't owned top of line tripods, so maybe they would do better.
 
Thanks for the reply Ron.
 
Can you give more information as to the mount you are using like brand, model, and source. It looks like a solution for more than just this one lens. I have the same issue with my old Minolta 100-400 APO. All that weight on the front creates problems with all the different tripods I've used. I have used a similar setup with an old macro focusing rail, but it is rather heavy and cumbersome so I like your solution.
 
dkeller said:
Can you give more information as to the mount you are using like brand, model, and source. It looks like a solution for more than just this one lens. I have the same issue with my old Minolta 100-400 APO. All that weight on the front creates problems with all the different tripods I've used. I have used a similar setup with an old macro focusing rail, but it is rather heavy and cumbersome so I like your solution.
Click to expand...
For lazy people like myself, https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32878490991.html.

For those who like a diy approach, start with https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32759342336.html
 
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