How do you hand hold your 70-200mm?

Since I bought one earlier this year, I've been hand holding the lens with the tripod collar to the side. I didn't want to remove it as I want it handy to clip to the Black Rapid strap or use on a tripod without having to re-attach.

Last night a friend was shooting the derby match I was at. He told me he holds his with the tripod mount down and uses only his finger tips to zoom in/out. He says it helps keep physical wear marks from showing up on the zoom ring.

What is your preference? Use the POLL to respond

I hold the lens between the zoom and focus rings and cradle it between my thumb and forefinger. Depending on what I am doing, the tripod collar could be anyplace.

have the 70-200 vr1 foot in the bag.

rocketman122 said:

have the 70-200 vr1 foot in the bag.

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Same here (except I shoot a Tamron 70-200). I shoot it handheld without the tripod collar. If, and when, I need the collar, that's when I pull it out and attach it. Otherwise it's just dead weight.

Horoscope Fish said:

Same here (except I shoot a Tamron 70-200). I shoot it handheld without the tripod collar. If, and when, I need the collar, that's when I pull it out and attach it. Otherwise it's just dead weight.

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at weddings there are many times I need to use the 70-200 very fast, so raising it from the down position and getting my fingers between the foot and the zoom ring just slows me down. that split second matters with some shots. you grab the lens incorrectly or offset and you have to adjust your hold while your eye is in the VF. just a PITA for me. and it happens over and over. so just removed it. weight was not the issue. shame I cant remove the whole ring like the tamron. sometimes the knob gets loose and it too gets in my way. for most though, the tripod collar is not an issue.

I'm a hybrid of you and your friend, carguy. I have the collar facing down. The footpad rests in my palm as I use my finger tips to adjust the zoom. I don't do it to minimize wear. I just like the collar on because I use it to carry the camera around. And I have an adapter on it in case I use a strap that is one of the connection points.

dont have the 70-200 but i hand hold my 50-500 with it down, my palm sits near the end and i hold the lens with my fingers, if that makes any sense?

I normally have my tripod mount on top and have my hand close to the end of the lens for stability. But often I will also shoot one handed, all depends on the circumstances though.

I shoot just like your friend does, the foot is in the palm of my hand with my finger tips on the zoom ring. It works for me, but I would love to come up with a padded foot protector as the corners wear on your hand. Normally that's only when I shoot more than one game a night.

I see others with it rotated up but i never cared for that. I also leave it on for a strap connection point as stated above.

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I had it removed for a while but now shoot facing down. It's not ideal but I got used to it.

Roy1961 said:

dont have the 70-200 but i hand hold my 50-500 with it down, my palm sits near the end and i hold the lens with my fingers, if that makes any sense?

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Exactly what he told me and I did this past weekend. Very comfortable.

70-200 will still attach to a BR strap with the foot removed.

singlerosa said:

70-200 will still attach to a BR strap with the foot removed.

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What do you mount it to?

when you take the foot off, you have another screw mount on the lens.

singlerosa said:

when you take the foot off, you have another screw mount on the lens.

View attachment 183095

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Gotcha. No hole on the Tamron.