What can I use as a linkage between lens-collar tripod mount and camera tripod mount?

Hello,

I have a big Sonnar 180mm f/2.8 medium format lens that I use on a variety of cameras. Unfortunately, its collar tripod mount is loose so I can't really use that alone to put it stably on a tripod or monopod. And using the camera's tripod mount with such a heavy lens isn't much better.

What equipment could I use that mounts into both the camera and len's tripod socket at the same time, which can in turn be mounted on a tripod? One catch is that the mounts won't necessarily be at the same height, so the linkage would have to be adjustable not only in length but also in height.

Thanks!

You might try this Fotga L200 that is available on Amazon. I have a similar issue with my Hasselblad 350mm CF since it doesn't have a tripod mount. The Manfroto 293 will also work well, but the front support is not adjustable (at least I've not found a way to change it ). Using a RRS (Really Right Stuff) base plate on your tripod will make this assembly work easily. Hope this helps!

By loose, do you mean that the collar slips around the lens? If so, would drilling a small hole and inserting a screw to act as a brake work? Could an epoxy be used to hold lens tripod collar in place?
My own Olympic Sonnars are quite old, old even when bought in 1970s, and I never encountered this problem (yet!). If your lens is like the ones that I have, it’s a very heavy heavy lens.
Another solution that I used on other long lenses, but not quite as heavy as my Sonnars, is to attach a mount using a metal tape that can be tightened used by auto mechanics to secure hoses (I don’t know what it’s called but somebody on Photrio knows) over a piece of rubber, and add a block to receive tripod. My friend uses this method because he has a compulsion to use all kinds of lenses on his Hassy.

I also have a Hasselblad 350 and needed a support. I designed my own and had a machine shop make it. It is simple and very sturdy. It is also adjustable length wise but could be modified to have different collar heights. The lens has a tapered barrel so they had to match the taper It is aluminum and I added some tennis racket wrap inside the collar so there’s no slippage or metal to metal contact. The camera quick connect, tripod quick connect and collar are all adjustable length wise to balance the weight and if I want to use a 2x The cost was $60 not including the 2 connectors which I already had. The main cost was matching the taper

@guangong is referring to a "hose clamp".

Maybe something like this would work for you:

When I was photographing race cars, I had a similar issue with a 300mm lens with a 2x teleconverter setup when using a monopod.
The camera's tripod socket didn't allow the heavy lens to be supported (bad for lens mount).
With the teleconverter mounted, the 300mm lens tripod collar was too far forward, and panning was awkward.
I ended up making an adapter from bar aluminum with 1/4x20 thumbscrews that attached to both the camera and lens collar, and with a 1/4x20 tripod mounting hole at the balance point.

Heavy lens was supported.
Panning was convenient.
Camera and lens were solidly connected.

Thank you all for the many good suggestions! I'll look into them.

guangong said:

By loose, do you mean that the collar slips around the lens?

Click to expand...

Yes, the collar rotates around the lens. There is a small lever to tighten the collar's grip on the lens, and it does adjust the resistance, but it's not possible to press it enough so that it tightens completely. Perhaps some grime got into the lever that prevents it from being a good clamp, but I don't want to risk the lens by attempting disassembly or modification as I'm a poor performer when working with small parts.

Some options:

1. Get someone handy to fix your lens's tripod collar.

2. There are aftermarket tripod collars for many lenses, find one of the right diameter (e.g. search ebay for "lens tripod collar").

3. There are now a lot of modular pieces that can be assembled to make camera and lens supports. Most of the demand coming from cine/video rigs, I think. For example, many pieces that fit onto twin 15mm rods, like this:

Smallrig universal lens support, adjustable: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1554784-REG/smallrig_15mm_lws_universal_lens.html
Smallrig camera baseplate: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...rig_3357_universal_camera_baseplate_with.html
Pair of 15mm rods: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...rig_1051_2x15mm_alum_alloy_rods_m12_20cm.html
There's a jillion other similar pieces if these aren't quite right.