Arca-Swiss replacement foot for Z 70-200 and 100-400

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But if they make the feet Arca-Swiss compatible, they still have the standard thread on the bottom to attach other feet such as Manfrotto. So it does not detract in any way from the usability of other brands but ADDS the value of not having to buy a replacement for those of us who use Arca-Swiss style. Obviously Tamron and Sigma feel it adds enough value to their telephotos that they are willing to do it.
Absolutely and no idea why they dont. I much prefer Arca Swiss and converted my Manfrotto heads to Arca Swiss. But looking around what other pros use and what's on the floor of the stores I visit, I see a lot of Manfrotos, so my guess is they can also do the reverse, put an RC2 style on the bottom of OEM feet. To make things more incoherent, Gitzo, which is a brand of Vitec and made on the same factory as Manfrotto sells Arca Swiss-style.
 
Right now I have a plate attached to my 100-400 OEM foot. I was planning on buying a replacement foot (Kirk LP-70 preferred for the QD option) but the problem is that none of the replacement feet extend rearwards far enough to balance on a tripod head with the Z9, so I have no choice but to continue to use the plate (or trade the Z9 for a Z8....nahhh). :)
 
This thread is of great discussion, thanks to everyone who provided valuable inputs.

It does seem the Kirk plate is 0.18 inch longer, which feels better in hand.

Oliver

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I am just curious if anybody has the Hejnar version lens foot, there is a 1/4-20 mounting screw, does that go into the foot ?


Thanks

Oliver

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Absolutely and no idea why they dont. I much prefer Arca Swiss and converted my Manfrotto heads to Arca Swiss. But looking around what other pros use and what's on the floor of the stores I visit, I see a lot of Manfrotos, so my guess is they can also do the reverse, put an RC2 style on the bottom of OEM feet. To make things more incoherent, Gitzo, which is a brand of Vitec and made on the same factory as Manfrotto sells Arca Swiss-style.
The pros I see out in the field all are using the Arca Swiss on the feet of their telephotos lenses. Maybe the reason you see the Manfrotto heads on the floor of the stores is because no one wants them?
 
I am just curious if anybody has the Hejnar version lens foot, there is a 1/4-20 mounting screw, does that go into the foot ?


Thanks

Oliver

View attachment 68568
I use Hejnar feet on my 500mm PF, 800mm PF and 400mm f/4.5. They screw directly into the collar on the lens so not into the foot. You remove the Nikon foot and put the Hejnar foot in its place.
 
The pros I see out in the field all are using the Arca Swiss on the feet of their telephotos lenses. Maybe the reason you see the Manfrotto heads on the floor of the stores is because no one wants them?
Yeah, I wish more lenses come with Arca Feet; however, the gimbal head comes in varieties of dove tail angle, I guess Nikon doesn't want to be held liable.

Oliver
 
I use Hejnar feet on my 500mm PF, 800mm PF and 400mm f/4.5. They screw directly into the collar on the lens so not into the foot. You remove the Nikon foot and put the Hejnar foot in its place.


Hi Ricardo, thanks for the clarification, yeah, that's my understanding. With loctite, the foot would be very secure.

Oliver
 
Hi Ricardo, thanks for the clarification, yeah, that's my understanding. With loctite, the foot would be very secure.

Oliver
Yep, no problems over the 5 years I have been doing this. I always use the foot, attach it to a Black Rapid strap, tripod, handhold, etc. I don't want to remove the foot in the field (guess some people do this?), so for me, it makes no sense that Nikon decided to use a design for rapid removal of the foot. And my gymbal head uses Arca so wanted the Arca grooves anyway. So the first thing I do with my new Nikon lens is remove its foot and put on a Hejnar one.
 
Summary of posts since my last summary :). Two new entries see bellow:
  • Replacement foot is the same one for Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S & Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S.
  • Posters recommended mostly
    • Really Right Stuff Foot for NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR-S Lens (and 100-400)
    • Hejnar foot for Nikon Z 70-200/f2.8 S VR
    • Kirk LP-70 Lens Foot for Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S & Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens
    • Leofoto NF-05
    • Wimberley AP-501
  • Cheapest of them all seems to be Leofoto right now
  • Replacement foot using screws tend to loosen and need at least random checks to see if they are OK
  • There is no reported difference between more expensive RRS foot and cheaper Kirk LP-70
  • Those preferring fixed foot are recommending Hejnar
  • Those having no issues with the one with a screw recommend RRS and Kirk.
    • Loctite Blue 242 recommended for extra safety if using the foot like RRS or Kirk
I would like to add my own observation for Z 100-400 + Z9 + Leofoto. The combination of these three is very difficult to balance on gimbal head as it is body heavy. I have swapped to the original foot + Leofoto LEOFOTO PL-200 Arca Swiss plate for better balance. It still needs extra weight at the lens end to offset the heavy body. But the issue is not critical as the combo is still very light, it can be balanced by tightening the gimbal IMO. For Z8, any above mentioned options will behave better.

For details see above.
Tibor, thank you for the summary.

My experience with Wimgberley is very nice too, I really liked their other foot.

Pity the AP-501 is just a bit short, IMHO, the best balance is between 105mm ~ 115mm, the longer foot serves as handle.

Oliver
 
Arca-Swiss didn't invent the double dovetail design and their patent which I believe has expired was easy to get around because it was very narrow (due to "prior art") by slightly changing the angle and depth of the groove. That's how RRS and numerous others did it.
Nimi, now you really piqued my interest.

I dug deeper into the designs of Arca-Swiss and Manfrotto RC plates, IMHO, I think the simplicity of Arca Swiss won over, kind of like Beta vs VHS wars.

I still have a ton of Manfrotto plates, but nowadays when I go out, I don't see many of those in the wild.

Oliver

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I am just curious if anybody has the Hejnar version lens foot, there is a 1/4-20 mounting screw, does that go into the foot ?


Thanks

Oliver

View attachment 68568
Yes I have this foot on my Z100-400 and in fact I have replaced all of my Nikon OEM feet with Hejnar since the 500 pf.

I am not sure what you mean does that go into the foot. The OEM foot is removed and this foot is attached with this screw when the OEM foot is removed.
 
Right now I have a plate attached to my 100-400 OEM foot. I was planning on buying a replacement foot (Kirk LP-70 preferred for the QD option) but the problem is that none of the replacement feet extend rearwards far enough to balance on a tripod head with the Z9, so I have no choice but to continue to use the plate (or trade the Z9 for a Z8....nahhh). :)
The Hejnar foot does
 
When I received both the Z 70-200 and 100-400 lenses several months ago, I ordered a Kirk foot because RRS’s was not out yet. I returned the Kirk foot because I had some difficulty depressing the release lever on the Kirk - BUT understand that due to a neurological issue, I do have diminished dexterity with my right hand. I assume that contributed to my displeasure with the Kirk foot, but when I received the RRS foot several weeks later, had little trouble manipulating the foot. I should also mention that 100% of my lens and camera plates and clamps and other attachment gear is RRS. I confess to being a RRS fan, but for what it’s worth, the RRS Z foot worked better for me in head to head comparison.
 
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