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Depending on how much I use it i may get a replacement arca collar/foot when they become available.
49.95. I'd pass until reviews pour in about quality.
Looking at the amazon UK site it is £49.99 - with free returns.
I use mine on a tripod whenever I can. I was out shooting rutting deer this morning and working with my kit from a trail. Carrying the lens on a tripod over the shoulder is easier for me than any other way. When a opportunity presents itself, I spread the legs and shoot. However, if I need to maneuver between trees and brush, I detach the gear from my tripod and shoot handheld...
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I’m still looking for a solution. At first I thought about attaching a simple qd cup to the 1/4” screw hole. With z8 attached, the balance point is close to the center of the foot, so that wouldn’t work. Then I thought about a cup attached to a 1/4” screw with a 3/8” adapter though I’m not sure how functional that will be with a protruding cup. Now I’m back full circle looking at Chris Hejnar’s plate with a built in qd.
Same with me.
FWIW in terms of plates, I like my 5.25" Kirk for a few reasons but one not obvious one is it makes a good handle when carrying the lens and camera. Lots of real estate for that and the curve down from the original foot works well. And if you want to pop it on a tripod or monopod that's easy.
Interestingly, I had an email exchange with Chris regarding the decision making behind the plate and I would have to defer to his expertise with regard to the design and engineering. FWIW, I've never had any of his plates/feet fail under load and I suspect he uses top-shelf materials. Of note, with the newer, lighter weight Nikon lenses and the Z8, I am finding that the load is insufficient to achieve a nice balance on my flexshooter pro. Are you suggesting that his plate length is too short for gimbal use?
I'm interested in your thoughts on this as well. I'm trying to decide if I want to wait and see if RRS is going to make one or not or go with Kirk.
I'll use it for a couple days and post something! I wanted an Arca Swiss foot for monopod or tripod use even though I rarely use it, I just don't like an attached plate.
I agree that’s a lot of stress on a single point and Even with replacement feet with multiple attachment points, I always use a safety leash with my qd. It’s a good question for Chris and I encourage you to reach out to him to ask.
There are a lot of safety tethers out there and which brand or variation you choose is up to you. I never feel 100% confident with an expensive system secured at one point of contact, so depending on how I carry the lens (single, dual sling, etc.) I always add another connection. FWIW, I've never had a QD connector fail or suddenly disconnect, so perhaps it is overkill? As an example, my 800 PF's Hejar replacement foot has two QD connector cups. I have a primary QD which connects the foot to the sling and then the tether connects to the second QD. Alternatively, one could rig a tether around the foot, to a lens anchor, or even around the lens itself. I wouldn't recommend connecting a tether to the camera in the case of a heavy, telephoto lens as illustrated in the BR video. Here's one example of a tether... https://www.amazon.com/BlackRapid-Camera-Safety-Tether-II/dp/B09PMMZ8XG. Does this explain the approach?
And?
So I got the new Kirk collar today and just put it on the lens. I have not had a chance to use it at all. It's much sturdier than the Nikon collar it replaces. Fits like a glove and nice to hold. One thing I'm not crazy about is it has a spring where it clamps together that looks like it could get lost easily if you open it in the field. They actually send you a 2nd one I guess in case you do loose it. I'm thinking I probably won't take it apart anywhere but home so lot too worried besides I have a spare now.
This looks great, I have replaced all my telephotos with longer arca-foot plates for better balancing.
I have also! This is very well made!
Thank you for this observation.
