tony_buckwell1

<p>Mark, I'll come back to "second" the opinion of the last three correspondents. The prime benefit of this lens is its comparative light weight and like Dan I previously used the f4 70-200 lens for several years without a collar with no problem whatsoever. Quite frankly I wouldn't have bothered with a collar (particularly considering the price of the Canon unit!) unless I'd been offered the one I now have which represented good build quality at a reasonable price. The collar does offer better balance of lens and body, but I have to say I only find this of any real advantage when using a monopod or for close up work on a tripod (with an extension tube). <br> Tony Buckwell</p>

<p>Mark, I'm going to buck the trend to say I have a third party collar and find it every bit the equal of the Canon! I bought it second-hand from a highly reputable dealer over here in the UK, so unfortunately I can't direct you to the maker. Mine is well-made, the ring is lined (so it won't mark the lens), it fits well, it's a colour match. it's robust...and I paid more than $25 for it - but significantly less than I would have needed to spend to buy a similar item with the word "Canon" marked on it :-) <br> Tony Buckwell</p>

<p>Mark, I've owned/own both. Although the 1n was a super camera and build like a proverbial tank , IMHO the "Elan 7" (EOS 30 over here in the UK) is the nicer/easier camera to handle. It fits, my hands certainly, "like a glove" and ALL the controls are to hand. The 1n is "bulky" and cumbersome by comparison especially with the battery grip (do you really need it? - I didn't) and although it has more custom functions, etc, these have to be accessed by first opening a door in the side and then via pressing small buttons - so all a bit fiddly by comparison. At the end of the day I sold the 1n and now own 2 EOS 30 bodies, one being the later 30V version (your Elan 7n I believe). My "bottom line" - whilst it was nice to own the EOS 1n, it was nicer to use the EOS 30/30V.</p>