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Like others who’ve replied, I keep the lens foot in my palm. I use the middle ring to adjust manual focus to help AF when needed.
I take off the tripod collar, and use a strap that attaches to the lens rather than the camera body. That balances it nicely and leaves almost the entire lens free for me to support it. I also tend to turn off the control rings on large lenses, but I do use the Fn buttons so I have my left hand underneath the lens with one finger on one function button.
You always hear “if the lens has mounts for a strap, that’s how the manufacturer intended for you to carry the lens”. Strap lugs on my 800PF, for example; yet, lenses like the 70-200 f/2.8 or the 100-400 don’t come from Nikon/Canon/Sony with any way to attach a strap to the lens. If they wanted you to use the tripod foot, they’d have provided a means to attach there without the need to buy a 3rd party plate or replacement foot, so I think it’s safe to assume we’re ok using the body.
i think that’s a reasonable indication, i’m just saying the mount must be designed to carry about three pounds and with the z9, either way you do it with this lens you are hanging three pounds off the mount
I use a QD attachment strap and connect it the lens foot (I use RRS but others like Kirk have QD as well). It is comfortable for me and doesn't get in the way of holding the lens using a tripod when I need to do that.
I also have a QD setup, though w/ the Peak Design strap being QD as well I found it kind redundant, so am experimenting w/ lens plates, but the balance isn't great when letting the camera hang at my side (the lens points upward). Going to try switching the strap to the camera for better balance, but first going to contact Nikon and see their official position on it. Don't want to wreck my mount!
I'm using a Black Rapid Sport sling. Because I'm using a Z9, I have to screw in the attachment D-Ring to the bottom of an Arc-Swiss plate attached to the foot (if I decide to leave the plate on the lens) OR, if I know I am not going to use a tripod I take the foot off the lens and screw the D-Ring directly into the 1/4-20 socket on the lens. I'd love a replacement foot with QD socket, but they're all too far forward and won't balance with the Z9. Might work with a Z8 though.
