I like the Leofoto SP-01 strap as it's comfortable and easy to adjust. London Camera Exchange sourced me one in the UK.
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600PF lens foot help
- Thread starter dacrema
- Start date
I disagree: the fault is with Nikon who should design a better foot release. It's difficult adapting a safety strap to the body if you're in the habit of rotating the foot on the lens.
I have a number of RRS gear (tripod, ball head, etc) and they do make quality gear but am disappointed that their replacement feet are the "click-in" type with a huge knob. Personally, I never remove the foot from my lenses (and actually have never seen anyone do this in the field). So don't understand why Nikon makes this type of foot for so many of their lenses and why RRS felt they had to replicate it. I tried one once and the knob is really annoying so much prefer a foot that screws into the lens. Maybe one day RRS (and Nikon) will change, but RRS has lost my business for a replacement foot (switched to Hejnar for my 500mm PF and haven't looked back).
ajr images
Senior Member
I just ordered the Wimberley foot to see how it compares to the RRS foot. I also never actually remove the feet, so this version might be good.
I think RRS might have been the only option when I received this lens as soon as it was released.
I'm heavily invested still in RRS stuff and will continue to consider them as my first choice.
I think RRS might have been the only option when I received this lens as soon as it was released.
I'm heavily invested still in RRS stuff and will continue to consider them as my first choice.
shuncheung
Veteran Member
After I had dropped my 500 PF back in 2019, I got in touch with Steve Perry, and he recommended the Hejnar foot to me, but I went with the Wimberley first, as I have their gimbal head so that I was more familiar with that brand.
It turned out that the Wimberley foot required you to jam a tiny pin into the gap to secure the foot in place. That was a poor design since their replacement foot doesn't fit well. Wimberley had a video to explain that installation:
If you somehow lose that pin, the foot would become loose from the collar. Eventually I got the Henjar foot for the 500 PF, and I have been using Hejnar feet since then.
I sure hope that the current Wimberley feet no longer use such a bad mechanism.
The Hejnar foot for the 600mm/f6.3 PF is the same one for the 400mm/f4.5 and some other Nikon lenses. I have had that foot for my 400/4.5 since April 2023, 6 months before the 600/6.3 PF was announced.
I also have a lot of RRS stuffs. I have been using them since before the turn of the century with the original owner, before the current owner took over like 20 years ago. I have several RRS ballheads and I use their foot for the expensive lenses, but I avoid any tripod foot with a quick release like the plague.
ajr images
Senior Member
Looks like it locks on with a single socket head screw, no pin. It should arrive on Tuesday, so I'll see.
Yes it has a single screw since that is what the lens has. I (and most photographers) put some loctite on that screw. The foot also slides into place on the barrel of the lens.
Hejnar offers LocTight in small quantities. For those who have ordered the Hejnar foot:
Thanks to all who replied. I did look at every option suggested.
- did you use the LocTight on your lens?
- If you did not do you wish you had?
Thanks to all who replied. I did look at every option suggested.
shuncheung
Veteran Member
As I mentioned earlier on this thread, I would avoid all quick-release feet, but especially the Nikon one. Since Steve Perry had the same problem I had with the 500 PF foot coming off, it wasn't just my mistake.
Our back yard faces some desert, so we get some wildlife. The Z9 had the 85/1.8 on is just a couple days ago to do portrait of our dog. So my setting were all off but I saw the Coyotes playing and put the 600 lens on then went outside. They were still a fare distance away. But this is much better than the 100-400S for these kind of pictures.
LastLapPass
Forum Enthusiast
Why is the Hejnar better? It is still a screw that can come loose. Asking because I would like to drop plates and just have a arca foot.
At least I can keep the Nikon foot tightened from the outside and still on a mono/tripod. The Hejnar foot would have to be taken off the tripod to tighten. Guess you could use the light weight (blue) thread locker.
Still weird to me that the Nikon foot came apart. At least the 100-400 is a double mechanism. I would have to be loose and the button located in the middle of the foot hit to release the foot. Not easy to hit by accident...
JJ
--
Just a Dad documenting life...
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shuncheung
Veteran Member
The Hejnar and a few others use a screw that is hidden, and you can add Loctite to fix it in place, if desired. The original Nikon foot and some others such as RRS and Kirk has a quick release that can come loose. Check out the Steve Perry video I mentioned earlier on this thread.
Unless you need to use the quickly release, I would rather not have it.
LastLapPass
Forum Enthusiast
Yes I looked the the Hejnar page and saw the internal screw, hence the questions.
(Don't see a link to a video, just your bummer D5 mishap)
You did not answer my question -> Does the 500 and 600 not have the double lock like the 100-400? If they do, that is a double mistake to let it come apart. Loose and hitting a button.
JJ
--
Just a Dad documenting life...
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NicholasD
Senior Member
Re Loctite - I haven't used nor do I think it's warranted in my case. I check for tightness sporadically, but I never had to tighten the (Hejnar) foot. That said, I'm not hiking miles with the camera/lens jostling as I go so far from a worst case user scenario.
You can always use the safety tether that comes with the Black Rapid in addition to the Hejanr foot for extra security. If I had one of the larger exotics, that would make sense, but given my use with a 500PF, I just don't see the need.
Nick
shuncheung
Veteran Member
I believe the Nikon feet all have the double lock. I too wonder how that came apart.
Steve Perry mentioned the foot issue around 5:29 into the video.
ajr images
Senior Member
I'm aware of using Loctite, but you need to be careful to use the correct grade. If you ever need to remove the screw some grades require the application of heat. I would only use grade 222 (low strength)..
michaeladawson
Forum Pro
I believe that is pretty much true until you get to the "big boys". The f/4 exotics and the 800mm
ajr images
Senior Member
Yes, the 400TC, 600TC, and 800 f6.3 have a foot that attaches with 4 screws. I think there have been a few reports of these screws coming slightly loose but I've never had that problem.
The 180-600 has a collar/foot assembly. The RRS version this appears to have a removable foot. I have the Kirk version.
The rest have the 'click in' foot.
The 180-600 has a collar/foot assembly. The RRS version this appears to have a removable foot. I have the Kirk version.
The rest have the 'click in' foot.
shuncheung
Veteran Member
Those three lenses have the same foot, which uses 4 screws. I have had my 800mm PF for over two years and never had any issues.
Incidentally I never use any Loctite myself. I feel that is not necessary, but it is a lot more secure with 4 screws instead of just one.
It is the same foot on the Z70-200, 100-400, 400/4.5 and 600. They work the same. The problem is the screw mechanism can feel tight and is not tight enough to "make safe" the trigger release. So when you pick up the lens by the mount it is very easy to hit the trigger and loose the lens. So yes a double mistake, but one set of mistakes that is documented as very easy to make happen.
I too do not use the lens without the foot. So I want the lens foot screwed on with no trigger. I go over my gear before each major use or just after coming home. I make sure the screws that are easy to get loose are tight, the camera is clean, the caps are dust free and the sensor is clean. If I have not done it for a trip, I will go over things once a month or so. That way the camera is ready when I want to just grab it. It was with one such inspection I found the issue with the lens foot. I had seen posts on line about the issue but had not witnessed it first hand. This was with the Kirk foot. I called and the folks at Kirk said that I had not torqued the screw enough. I had worked on a lot of cars and do not really believe in the "get a bigger wrench" approach of tightening things. But in this case that is what was called for. As I said. The mechanism though well designed, is designed for a different user than me.
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