Tripod collar for the SMC Pentax 300mm F4?

[andy_coach]

<p>Hi, I recently acquired the 300/4 (manual focus) lens and am hoping to find some kind of tripod support for it. It looks to me that some kind of a collar could fit around the distance scale part of the lens which is about 13mm wide.</p>

<p>Has anyone tried using the Manfrotto 293 or3420 with this lens? Here is an image from B&H's website:<strong> </strong><br>

<strong><img src="http://static.bhphotovideo.com/images/images150x150/126662.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></strong><br>

<strong><br /></strong><br>

Ideally, I think something like the Kirk lens collar for the Nikon 300mm f4 AFS would be just perfect ..<br>

<img src="http://www.kirkphoto.com/cache/1ddd454ba12bc80dd4b39bf4df896739-266-1-0.jpg" alt="" width="266" height="266" /></p>

<p>.. but I haven't been able to find one for this lens.</p>

<p>For the time being, a bean bag seems to work kind of OK but I would appreciate your thoughts on this.<strong><br /></strong></p>

[howard_m]

<p>I've never seen or heard of one. Honestly, if it's not Canikon, the 3rd party guys wont make it.<br>

You may be able to find a more general purpose thing like the RRS long lens support widget</p>

[michael_elenko]

<p>Have you checked Amazon listings for tripod collars for Canon lenses? There are several choices, but I don't know if any would fit.</p>

<p>ME</p>

[andy_coach]

<p>The RRS long lens support gizmo seems designed for more massive lenses, it probably would not work here.. I see lots of inexpensive collars on Amazon but no dimensions. I wonder if anyone makes a custom / adjustable collar?</p>

[stemked]

I have the Manfrotto long lens support which I use for a 6x7 macro with extension. The support is bulky, to say the

least. IMHO I wouldn't recommend it unless you can't find something else.

[mggm59]

<p>I have the one delivered with the Sigma 70-200 EX and I fit it to the 300 f4.5 I have with some stuffing to compensate the different diameter. I would not take two with me in any case. It looks very much like the Kirk.</p>

[andy_coach]

<p>Just tried the collar from the Sigma 70-200, a bit too small, won't fit.<br>

Looking at the dims of after-market collars for the Canon Ef 70-200mm (65mm diameter), too small as well, the diameter of the Pentax 300/4 near the distance scale is closer to 70mm+<br>

The search continues..</p>

 

[andy_coach]

<p>This one from Zaguto Store looks interesting:<br>

<img src="http://store.zacuto.com/images/P/19mmLockingLens300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="330" /><br>

(source: http://store.zacuto.com/lightweight-locking-lens-support.html)</p>

<p> </p>

[andy_coach]

<p>This one looks really promising, at ~$80<br>

<img src="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/8-lens-support-4-arca-swiss-Kirk-Markins-Wimberley-Benro-Acratech-rrs-foba-/00/$(KGrHqQOKpsE1q+LnF0EBNsEKVf2CQ~~_3.JPG" alt="" width="800" height="535" /><br>

(from seller <a title="Member id krosno65" href="http://myworld.ebay.com/krosno65/?_trksid=p4340.l2559"><strong>krosno65</strong></a> on eBay)</p>

[andy_coach]

<p>Well, I just ordered this one, it's 72mm inside diameter and the seller reports the collar width is about 12mm, which sounds like it should fit the 300/4. Plus, at under $9, there is no risk..<br>

<img src="http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/1/6/3/7/4/4/webimg/262053144_o.jpg" alt="" width="352" height="300" /><br>

(from ebay seller: <a title="Member id outstandingstore111" href="http://myworld.ebay.com/outstandingstore111/?_trksid=p4340.l2559"><strong>outstandingstore111</strong></a>)</p>

[stemked]

<p>It sounds like it might be a touch large. Perhaps you could put some sort of rubber lining/gasket in it to make it fit?</p>

[andy_coach]

<p>Too small :( <br>

My guesstimate of the diameter of the lens where I wanted to place the collar was off by about 4 mm. I guess I need a caliper..<br>

The hunt for the collar continues.</p>

[andy_coach]

<p>This one works:<br>

<img src="http://lejek.smugmug.com/Other/300mm-Collar/i-ZQ8Wvdz/0/M/DSF0287-M.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="363" /><br>

(Item number: 250930169987 on ebay)<br>

It took a bit of epoxy, a file, and one layer of thin felt from ACE and voila!, a perfect fit.</p>

 

[mario_groleau1]

<p>I got the one from ebay ( 250930169987), do you have a little bit more details about where to put epoxy, all around I think?</p>

[andy_coach]

<p>Hi Mario, yes, I put epoxy filler all around in order to achieve a smooth fit between the lens and the collar. The collar has a bit of a channel cross-section but it fills in nicely. Good luck!</p>

[rick_reichenbach]

<p>Hi, I know this is an old thread but I find myself in the same position as the OP…I need an aftermarket tripod collar for a Takumar 300mm F4. From the information provided so far, I can't tell which brand/model tripod collar finally worked. Does anyone know the internal diameter for the tripod collar or which brand/model will work? <br>

Thanks.</p>