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How do you carry your Sony 200-600 in the field - advice appreciated about the tripod foot also

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Craig Gillette said:
I haven't convinced myself that the Peak Design filament loops and the strap loops on the lens body are perfect for each other. Like I wouldn't use just a strap but might consider with a closed sling so a single little loop failure doesn't crash the whole load.
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Sounds like you haven't had those anchors in your hands yet. I'm convinced the lens foot of the 200-600G would be easier to rip off than the anchors attached to the attachment points. These days I'm carrying the heavier 600GM exactly the same way.
 
21tones said:
Thanks for your responses. I haven't seen this lens in the flesh so didn't realise that an alternative foot would still rely on the 4 small screws.
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See the screws?



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Mine are rock solid.

--
"A picture is a secret about a secret: the more it tells you, the less you know." —Diane Arbus
 
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Nothing of the sort. I have several PD products and have their anchors in use in a number of ways. I have them on the 200-600 but they aren't my primary support sling anchor. In that application in particular (and in general), I'd be happier if the loop was a bit longer - to make it a bit easier to loop over the "button." Also, the strap loop on the lens body while not a "sharp" edge, they could be a bit rounder, too. Hence, it works but I'm not convinced it couldn't be better.

Also, I weigh over 200 lbs. In the event of an accidental snag or an intentional grab, the straps/anchors could easily be presented with a load well over 200 lbs in any of their uses. Whether it's better that one remains attached or it separates is interesting but depends on the circumstances.
 
I have a Tamron 150-600 A mount and I'm also old. Not that my suggestion would work for this lens, but I carry the camera/lens attached, by hooking the foot of the lens tripod into my belt on my pants. that puts the weight on my hips when walking, plus I use a neck strap on the camera body. My one hand also holds and steadies the camera/lens while walking. I found this ideal to take almost all the weight off my shoulders and neck, and with the rig by my side, it doesn't bounce around while walking.
 
Craig Gillette said:
Nothing of the sort. I have several PD products and have their anchors in use in a number of ways. I have them on the 200-600 but they aren't my primary support sling anchor. In that application in particular (and in general), I'd be happier if the loop was a bit longer - to make it a bit easier to loop over the "button."
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Preferences differ. I like them being short, as that prevents them from moving on their own when not attached.
Craig Gillette said:
Also, the strap loop on the lens body while not a "sharp" edge, they could be a bit rounder, too. Hence, it works but I'm not convinced it couldn't be better.
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Could probably be improved upon, but I don't thing this has any practical relevance. Either way I'd trust that part more than the foot with its tiny screws.
Craig Gillette said:
Also, I weigh over 200 lbs. In the event of an accidental snag or an intentional grab, the straps/anchors could easily be presented with a load well over 200 lbs in any of their uses. Whether it's better that one remains attached or it separates is interesting but depends on the circumstances.
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I don't get what you are saying then. On one hand PD specs the anchors carry capacity at 200 lbs. Per anchor that is. But should you ever apply your full weight to the lens, it is dead anyway.
 
I look at a loop anchor and wonder if it's strong enough. They've revised the anchors 3 times thinking of loads or abrasion. Simply walking someplace and snagging a strap will put weight on the loops, eyelets, plates, etc. I'm reasonably confident they won't fail or I wouldn't use them. And I've got them on several cameras and straps, etc.

Screws like the foot on the 200-600 or the strap holders on the 600 GM, or the camera/tripod qr plates should be checked. They've got a red layer on the PD loops to show wear. Checking the gear is just a good practice.
 
Thanks for the further responses.

TN Args - the photo is really helpful given I have not seen/held one of these lenses.

Is the hole the tripod foot screws into on the lens a tripod/monopod screw size?

I was wondering whether it might be possible to screw a monopod straight into the hole on the lens and avoid the leverage effect of the tripod foot, as well as making carrying the lens a little bit lighter.

I guess the key thing would be whether there was enough clearance to operate the zoom ring using it that way. Have you tried it that way? If so, do you feel there is enough clearance?

Thanks
 
I used Peak Slide straps for a long time, attaching the strap to the lens not the body of course, but as my rig got bigger and heavier I grew to dislike straps and now I don't use them at all, even when carrying a light setup such as an A7Rii + 21mm prime.

For carrying my camera body + 200-600G I use the Spider Holster system consisting of the belt and the lens collar . When I want to carry a second body I have an additional Spider Holster that attaches to the belt on the other side. Carrying all the weigh on the well padded belt is very comfortable and the weight is on your hips where it should be, not your shoulder and back. Note, with the 200-600G you have to install the Lens Collar in the reverse position so that the pins are near to the balance point.
 
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21tones said:
Is the hole the tripod foot screws into on the lens a tripod/monopod screw size?
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Yes but see below.
21tones said:
I was wondering whether it might be possible to screw a monopod straight into the hole on the lens and avoid the leverage effect of the tripod foot, as well as making carrying the lens a little bit lighter.
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Please take note that Sony alerts not to mount monopod or tripod or anything directly to the plate which is fixed by screws to the lens. They say it could severly damage the lens.
 
PeakDesign strap connected to the lens lugs. I hang it around my neck/shoulder. After a few outings, I got used to the weight and can now walk for a few miles with it.

I switched the foot to a Leofoto foot which is arca-swiss compatible. I use a leofoto monopod sometimes. I carry that in my daypack & remove & attach only when needed.

If I'm not taking the monopod, I leave the foot at home sometimes. Saves a few grams and more importantly, there's nothing to dig into my hip.
 
Thanks for the further suggestions. I didn't realise there were so many ways to carry a camera and lens! Michael - thanks for the information about not attaching a monopod directly to the lens plate. I wonder why Sony advise against it? It would seem that those four screws are taking the strain whether the tripod foot is being used or not.
 
When I don't have it mounted on my a7r3 I carry my 200-600mm in the Think Tank Lens Changer 150. Most of the reviews on their website mention the Sigma and Nikon lens and don't say anything about the Sony 200-600mm but it does fit. This is a well made product and I feel pretty comfortable carrying it in this case.

www.thinktankphoto.com

Lens Changer™ 150-600 V3.0

Modular pouch accommodates a 150–600mm f/5–6.3 lens with hood reversed. One-handed vertical zipper for quick access and easy retrieval. “Lens Catcher” wing secures lens while working out of the case. Shoulder Strap included. Attaches to any Think Tank Photo belt or belt pack as part of the...
www.thinktankphoto.com www.thinktankphoto.com
 
21tones said:
Thanks for the further suggestions. I didn't realise there were so many ways to carry a camera and lens! Michael - thanks for the information about not attaching a monopod directly to the lens plate. I wonder why Sony advise against it? It would seem that those four screws are taking the strain whether the tripod foot is being used or not.
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Hi,

AFAIK it's not about the stability of the screws or the plate which might not withstand the forces - because with the foot in place, as you say, the leverage is likely greater. It's about the plate's thickness / depth of the hollow where a too long screw thread, mounted with the likely pressure to get a tight fit, would apply enormous axial forces on the tiny screws and/or their heads: the plate and/or screws would be lifted off from the lens - hence the risk of causing damage to the lens.

In "normal" hollows the monopod/tripod mounting screw passes through w/o hitting the opposite side. Or the hollow is deep enough.

BTW similar possible issues with tripod mounts/too long screws on camera bodies.
 
Just wondering why carrying lens and camera over shoulder (as I see many pros do at sports events) might damage the lens more than carrying another way?

I carry my 200-600 and A9 this way with strap attached to lens lugs (Peak Design) and have had no problems. I’m only walking around a rugby pitch… one end to the other or from one corner to another, so maybe it’s more of a concern if trekking a distance.
 
Mine did loosen, and I found that only two of the four screws had been installed. They did not fall out, they had never been put in. I called Sony to have them send me the screws, and they insisted that it had to be handled as a warranty repair.

Four weeks later …. lens was returned with all the screws. Also did a cleaning and recalibration … have no idea why … and managed to mess up the lens mount so it would no longer fit on my camera body. Back again and finally came back okay. Total down time was two months for providing the two missing screws.

At least it has not loosened up since then.
 
I use a Peak Design Slide strap with one connection directly to the lens lug and the other to a long Manfrotto plate attached to the lens foot. I had to drill a hole in the end of the Manfrottto plate to fit the peak design attachment.

I can the carry the lens over my shoulder and it hangs horizontally with very nice weight distribution.





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Sony A1, Sony RX10 IV, Sony RX100 VI, Canon 7D mkII, Canon 40D, Canon 350d
Sony 200-600G Canon 100-400IS mkii Canon 17-55 IS Canon 70-200 IS
Canon 400 F5.6 Sigma 10-22
 
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