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600PF lens foot help

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dacrema

dacrema

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The 600PF arrived yesterday at Tucson Camera Repair, after closing. I picked it up this afternoon. I can see that I will want to change the lens foot. I will list the wants/don't want below:
  • I do not want a "quick release" design for this camera's lens foot. I have that on the 70-200 (Kirk LP70), and a lens plate on the 100-400 (orig Nikon foot). Both work OK, I have had the foot release once on each when I was checking the lens. I tightened both times and never had a real issue. But those two times make me want something that screws to the lens.
  • Acra Swiss compatibile where I attach to a tripod head (Currently using Acratech GXP, 2006 to present)
  • I will carry the lens and camera using the foot as a handle. There must be enough room between the lens barrel and foot for my hand with light gloves.
  • A way to attach a camera strap that does not interfere with the ball head. "D"ring, QD setup or something similar.
Notes.
  1. I like the Kirk LP70, but feel it is not enough for the Z9 and the 600PF. No proof, just a gut feeling
  2. I did try using the search function. There were too many hits and many were not relevant. Likely I do not know how to refine the DPReview search that well.
Thanks in advance.
 
dacrema said:
The 600PF arrived yesterday at Tucson Camera Repair, after closing. I picked it up this afternoon. I can see that I will want to change the lens foot. I will list the wants/don't want below:
  • I do not want a "quick release" design for this camera's lens foot. I have that on the 70-200 (Kirk LP70), and a lens plate on the 100-400 (orig Nikon foot). Both work OK, I have had the foot release once on each when I was checking the lens. I tightened both times and never had a real issue. But those two times make me want something that screws to the lens.
  • Acra Swiss compatibile where I attach to a tripod head (Currently using Acratech GXP, 2006 to present)
  • I will carry the lens and camera using the foot as a handle. There must be enough room between the lens barrel and foot for my hand with light gloves.
  • A way to attach a camera strap that does not interfere with the ball head. "D"ring, QD setup or something similar.
Click to expand...
When my F-mount 500mm/f5.6 PF was fairly new, I had an Arca-Swiss plate attached to Nikon's foot, but the Nikon foot's quick release came off and the lens fell onto the ground. The lens itself wasn't damaged, but the viewfinder on my D5 cracked, resulting in a $600 repair bill: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62954992

Someone mentioned on that thread that Steve Perry had that same problem and mentioned that in his YouTube review of the 500 PF. At the time I didn't even know who Steve Perry was.

After that incident, I am replacing all Nikon quick-release feet and also do not use RRS or Kirk quick-release feet either. Instead, I have the Hejnar foot on that 500/5.6 PF, 70-200/2.8, 100-400, 400/4.5 and 600/6.3 PF:

https://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/nfr-008..htm

That is "permanently" screwed onto the collar.
 
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I also just put a ProMediagear PXLN3 on my 600mm f6.3 lens. fFts well and very happy with it.
 
dacrema said:
The 600PF arrived yesterday at Tucson Camera Repair, after closing. I picked it up this afternoon. I can see that I will want to change the lens foot. I will list the wants/don't want below:
  • I do not want a "quick release" design for this camera's lens foot. I have that on the 70-200 (Kirk LP70), and a lens plate on the 100-400 (orig Nikon foot). Both work OK, I have had the foot release once on each when I was checking the lens. I tightened both times and never had a real issue. But those two times make me want something that screws to the lens.
  • Acra Swiss compatibile where I attach to a tripod head (Currently using Acratech GXP, 2006 to present)
  • I will carry the lens and camera using the foot as a handle. There must be enough room between the lens barrel and foot for my hand with light gloves.
  • A way to attach a camera strap that does not interfere with the ball head. "D"ring, QD setup or something similar.
Notes.
  1. I like the Kirk LP70, but feel it is not enough for the Z9 and the 600PF. No proof, just a gut feeling
  2. I did try using the search function. There were too many hits and many were not relevant. Likely I do not know how to refine the DPReview search that well.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
A common issue with longer Nikon lenses, unfortunately. I went through the same thing with a 500PF - this posting summarizes my thought process (what and why) for selecting an after-market lens foot. Like you, I wanted to avoid a quick release solution. Bottom line - there are satisfactory alternatives.

Hope this helps,
Nick
 
I'm impressed with the AP-503 Wimberley AP-503 Replacement Lens Foot for Nikon 600 f6.3 Z S-line - Arca-Swiss Style

It fits perfectly, its nice and long at about 5", so it balances nicely on my Gimbal, makes it easy to hand hold the lens with camera attached. The best feature is; it won't break the budget.

 
kbrkr said:
I'm impressed with the AP-503 Wimberley AP-503 Replacement Lens Foot for Nikon 600 f6.3 Z S-line - Arca-Swiss Style

It fits perfectly, its nice and long at about 5", so it balances nicely on my Gimbal, makes it easy to hand hold the lens with camera attached. The best feature is; it won't break the budget.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B59WYC2F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
Click to expand...
Indeed. Looks like a nice replacement foot. However, I can't see that it has a QD socket. That would make it a no-go for me.
 
Get the Hanjar for permanent. I have the Kirk LP 70 and never an issue.

I use the QD socket all the time like the Hawk pics this week.

I do have a safety strap to the Z9 eyelets just in case.

You are going to love this lens. Hooligans approved.

--
Thanks for your help, Michael
 
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kbrkr said:
It has two holes; 3/8 and 1/4 to add any 3rd party QD if you wish.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry, I don't understand. QD sockets should be built into the foot itself. Not added on by some screw in attachment.

Am I understanding you correctly?
 
I have been looking for a QD connector for the Black Rapid strap to replace the hook it currently has. This is a very old BR strap. I did not see the option on the website.
 
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dacrema said:
I have been looking for a QD connector for the Black Rapid strap to replace the hook it currently has. This is a very old BR strap. I did not see the option on the website.
Click to expand...
Sorry. Now I remember BR has discontinued these QR straps. I don't know why.

Leofoto offered them last time I checked.
 
Peter3579 said:
dacrema said:
I have been looking for a QD connector for the Black Rapid strap to replace the hook it currently has. This is a very old BR strap. I did not see the option on the website.
Click to expand...
Sorry. Now I remember BR has discontinued these QR straps. I don't know why.

Leofoto offered them last time I checked.
Click to expand...
Just found that Kirk has them. I'm sure there are others too. Like I said I did not see them on the BR site and I also did not find them on the Peak Design website.

https://kirkphoto.com/quick-disconnect-system.html
 
dacrema said:
I have been looking for a QD connector for the Black Rapid strap to replace the hook it currently has. This is a very old BR strap. I did not see the option on the website.
Click to expand...
Correct - they stopped configuring BR straps with QD connectors. I was in the same boat - refer to my post further up to see how I configured a QD into the Black Rapid.

Nick
 
I understand that you have concerns about the 'click-in' type of replacement, but I have the RRS replacement foot on my 70-200, 400 f4.5, and 600 f6.3 and have never had any problems. I also use RRS for my 400TC, and 800 f6.3. I use the Kirk collar on my 180-600.

I must say that the Wimberley foot referred to by others looks a good option and I would expect their USA made part to be of high quality. The price seems very reasonable.
 
Look at the Pro Media gear one too. I gave up on BR and use Magpul with my 600pf. Much easier to adjust length. If you want more info on either let me know.
 
ajr images said:
I understand that you have concerns about the 'click-in' type of replacement, but I have the RRS replacement foot on my 70-200, 400 f4.5, and 600 f6.3 and have never had any problems. I also use RRS for my 400TC, and 800 f6.3. I use the Kirk collar on my 180-600.
Click to expand...
For my two F-mount 70-200mm/f2.8 AF-S VR, I used a RRS replacement foot that has a similar quick-release as the original Nikon foot. I bought that way back in 2004 and never had any issue with it for 15 years or so, but after my 500mm PF with a D5 attached fell onto concrete back in 2019: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62954992

I think I am much better off without that quick-release feature, which I never use anyway. A permanently screw-on foot is a lot more secure.

The 800mm/f6.3 PF and 400mm/f2.8 TC are different. Those tripod feet are secured onto the collars with four screws. There is no risk with any quick release.

You can watch what Steve Perry had to say in his 500mm PF review back in 2019. Fortunately, his 500 PF + D5 fell on soft ground without damage. Mine fell on concrete. It is about 5:29 into the video:


My link above is set to t=329, i.e. 329 seconds (5:29) into the video, when Steve talks about the collar and foot.
 
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ajr images said:
I understand that you have concerns about the 'click-in' type of replacement, but I have the RRS replacement foot on my 70-200, 400 f4.5, and 600 f6.3 and have never had any problems. I also use RRS for my 400TC, and 800 f6.3. I use the Kirk collar on my 180-600.

I must say that the Wimberley foot referred to by others looks a good option and I would expect their USA made part to be of high quality. The price seems very reasonable
Click to expand...
I ordered the Kirk foot a month or two after buying the 70-200S in Sep 2020. I called Kirk and they were very helpful after the one incident. I did not have the locking screw (my term) tightened enough. In everyday use when holding the lens by the foot I noticed that my index finger was bumping against the release trigger (my term again). This is a fault in how I use the lens. I have the same issue with the Nikon foot. Now every time I go out with the lens I check the locking screw on both to make sure they are very tight. I also check constantly when mounting/dismounting the lens from a tripod.

The fault is mine, not the design. If someone wants to remove the foot in the field the Kirk foot is a good system. I never remove the foot and constantly bump the trigger. So I am looking to go a different way.
 
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