Nikkor Z 70-200 and Z 100-400 Serious Lens Foot Problem.

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From what I understood from Matt's video, he said he could just "push" the screws back in. That would indicate someone during assembly used the wrong screws by mistake (not likely) or the holes for the tap were drilled a little too big during manufacturing or the tap was fed in and out too quick and stripped some of the thread "grip". When he said he could just push the screws back in, something stripped not just loosened.
Most likely some ham-fisted screwdriver jockey thought those mini screws need another 20 ft lbs of torque.
 
I think the F mount 500 PF has a similar system. I do not own any Z mount lenses.
My experience with the PF has not been good. Twice the lens separated from the mount / handle.
I replaced it with a Kirk, which has a longer "trigger" travel to the release point. No more problems.
I have seen no problems with the screws to the lens. Just my experience, not sure this relates to the Z mount issues.
All the best.
 
I removed the screws, cleaned the threads with an alcohol swab, then used a needle to apply a small drop of Blue Loctite to each screw. I then tightened them down carefully. Did that last year to my Z 70-200, 100-400, and 600pF. Lenses are used regularly-still tight.
 
I have had to add loctite to my telephotos with this mounting plate. I noticed wobbling of tripod foot and when I removed the foot The four screws were loose.

Wish the mounting plate under the four screws went slid into some kind of dovetail or wedge so that the screws were only keeping it from slipping out and not the only means of holding the plate on. The lens foot will initially hold the screws In place when they loose and then I am guessing the play wiggles the screws till they can strip out as in the video mentioned.
 
If when selecting a lens for a shoot there is no "wiggle" on the tripod foot the 4 screws mentioned and the screws for any Arca-Swiss QR plate are tight.

It is also worth checking prior to a shoot if the 3 tripod screw-in feet are tight.
 
I have the 70-200 mm f2.8, i believe the same lens he is talking about. I have been using this lens for the last three years and I have never had any issue with the foot or any Nikon lens foot. I think this YouTuber, drops often his equipment and he is always complaining, Any equipement we are using for certain amount of time, needs to be checked. Sometimes the feet of my tripods get loose and I check my equipement from time to time to see if there is anything need to be tightened
I have to disagree. I had a brand new 500pf that had a bit of wiggle in the foot, but I didn’t worry too much about it because I had a new Kirk replacement foot on order, and may have used it that way for less than a month. After I installed the Kirk foot, I still had the wiggle, so I investigated more closely. All four screws holding the foot to the body were loose. After tightening, have had no wiggle worries whatsoever.
 
>> the 70-200 does not have the cross-type (JIS) screws. It has what appears to be very small Hex-head fasteners

Maybe a picture, even cell phone. would help out about the Hex replacement.

Also, if someone has a picture of the opening without the plate would help, as to what is under. THANKS
 
Today I checked two of my lenses, a Z 100-400mm and a newly purchased Z 70-200 f/2.8. The 100-400 has the same JIS #0 screws as mentioned by everyone here.

However, the 70-200 does not have the cross-type (JIS) screws. It has what appears to be very small Hex-head fasteners instead. I just bought this lens; I wonder if Nikon has changed the screw type to deal with this issue? The plate appears to be tight, but I don't have a hex head tiny enough to check. Anyone else seeing this type of screw?

>> Maybe a picture, even cell phone. would help out about the Hex replacement.

Also, if someone has a picture of the opening without the plate would help, as to what is under. THANKS

OK - I feel like an idiot. I just re-checked my Z70-200 to take a picture of the screws and it DOES have the JIS cross-type. Sorry about that everyone.

Of course, I'm gonna have to spend tomorrow pulling every lens I own to see where I saw those other fasteners. Again - sorry.
 
OK - I feel like an idiot. I just re-checked my Z70-200 to take a picture of the screws and it DOES have the JIS cross-type. Sorry about that everyone.

Of course, I'm gonna have to spend tomorrow pulling every lens I own to see where I saw those other fasteners. Again - sorry.
Not an issue. It's good to check and recheck. They are indeed small. As for me, I do not recall what is under the plate and what I did whan I installed the Hejnar foot NFR-001. I actually got the longer foot, not listed NFR-001-X But the foor is too close to the lens barrel, making carrying by the foot a knuckle scrapper.
 
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Here's the definitive information on JIS screwdrivers, notably the blog post by Richard Haw.

I've had JIS screws loosening on the D850 bayonet ring from its hard life. If anyone is wary of fixing such issues oneself, then it'll only take a photo repair technician a few minutes to sort out.



I always carry the correct sized JIS tools on trips with a Loktite tube, Leatherman, Allen key multitool for tripods etc

 
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I have had to add loctite to my telephotos with this mounting plate. I noticed wobbling of tripod foot and when I removed the foot The four screws were loose.

The wobble you reference is a clear sign that the screws are loose. That was the sign on each of my lenses that had this issue. If you use a lens on a tripod you notice easily, but if you only handhold the lens, it's more difficult to notice a problem. If you get to the point of a wobble, you have more than just a single screw loose - all four are loose to varying degrees. It may take just a half twist or they may be much looser.

It's quite possible that a loose screw or plate that is ignored could lead to damaging the threads. Also be aware that manually tightening the screws to could break the adhesion provided by any thread locker that might have been used, so you need to use Blue or Purple Loctite to properly tighten the screws.

This kind of thing is a nuisance, but easily handled. I also keep a set of JIS screwdrivers, a set of Allen Wrenches, and a small tube of Blue Loctite in my camera bag. My "spares and repairs kit" also includes extra lens and body caps, sensor swabs, a rocket blower, and Zeiss lens wipes - all in a small ZipLock bag.
 
The wobble you reference is a clear sign that the screws are loose. That was the sign on each of my lenses that had this issue. If you use a lens on a tripod you notice easily, but if you only handhold the lens, it's more difficult to notice a problem. If you get to the point of a wobble, you have more than just a single screw loose - all four are loose to varying degrees. It may take just a half twist or they may be much looser.

It's quite possible that a loose screw or plate that is ignored could lead to damaging the threads. Also be aware that manually tightening the screws to could break the adhesion provided by any thread locker that might have been used, so you need to use Blue or Purple Loctite to properly tighten the screws.

This kind of thing is a nuisance, but easily handled. I also keep a set of JIS screwdrivers, a set of Allen Wrenches, and a small tube of Blue Loctite in my camera bag. My "spares and repairs kit" also includes extra lens and body caps, sensor swabs, a rocket blower, and Zeiss lens wipes - all in a small ZipLock bag.
the 241 locktite is usually not available locally as the standard blue is 242 and has a viscosity for larger screws .

i used what was available which was the regular 242 and so far so good . i periodically see if i can move them backwards with a light tough so as not to break the loctite adhesive. it’s been 6 months now and none have worked loose
 
I think the F mount 500 PF has a similar system. I do not own any Z mount lenses.
My experience with the PF has not been good. Twice the lens separated from the mount / handle.
I replaced it with a Kirk, which has a longer "trigger" travel to the release point. No more problems.
Sorry to hear that you've had that issue, I know you're not the only one with that experience. Having seen many others with similar complaints, any time I'm replacing a lens foot I go with whatever aftermarket brand I have to in order to not have that side screw and release lever design.
RRS, Kirk, ProMediaGear, Hejnar, whatever. I haven't had a quality complaint with any of them but I don't want to deal with any fancy mechanisms that make it any easier to release a tripod foot. My strap is QD so I don't see why I would want the foot to come off anyway. All of my lens feet are secured to the lens or collar by screws running directly from the foot to the mount.

This kind of thing is a nuisance, but easily handled. I also keep a set of JIS screwdrivers, a set of Allen Wrenches, and a small tube of Blue Loctite in my camera bag. My "spares and repairs kit" also includes extra lens and body caps, sensor swabs, a rocket blower, and Zeiss lens wipes - all in a small ZipLock bag.

That's a good idea, I've been carrying the Allen wrenches in my bag but will have to add the screwdrivers. Now to go find out if I can spend entirely too much money on some nice ones. :)
 
From what I understood from Matt's video, he said he could just "push" the screws back in. That would indicate someone during assembly used the wrong screws by mistake (not likely) or the holes for the tap were drilled a little too big during manufacturing or the tap was fed in and out too quick and stripped some of the thread "grip". When he said he could just push the screws back in, something stripped not just loosened.
My guess is that the screws were loose for a while and wore out the threads.
 
My guess is that the screws were loose for a while and wore out the threads.
Well, nothing is impossible but to be loose enough to do that kind of damage to the threaded holes......I can't believe one wouldn't feel how loose / sloppy the lens foot would feel even by simply holding it before that kind go damage...but, never know I guess.
 
mine were loose on a two week old 600mm pf f6.3
I checked my new Z 70-200/2.8 and the bolts needed about 1/4 turn but at that scale, the max Nm is tiny, probably like 2-2.5Nm at most. Interestingly I looked at my canon RF 70-200/2.8 "Z" (internal zoom) and its foot has SIX bolts vs the Nikkor 4 bolts.
 
Sometimes this forum is so helpful! I have never heard of this issue. If I can confess my ignorance, I have never heard of JIS screws either. I have a Z 70-200 and a Z 600PF and have not had an issue (and checked both just now - no wiggle). I rarely use them on a tripod so have not exerted much pressure on the plate. Still, I am now inclined to buy the screwdriver to have just in case. Thank you so much for this information (including that the screwdriver size is zero).
 
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