[interested_observer]

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I found and acquired a M* 300/4 several weeks ago. Wonderful lens in great condition. I also just ordered a Q. So, does someone have a suggestion for a lens collar that would work with it? I would like to try it with a doubler that I have, and of course the Q. I am not trusting the doubler and the lens with the K5 sitting on the tripod, so I think that a collar would be a much safer route.

Thanks!

[thazooo]

Rumor mill from a while back says there's a Canon collar that fits it. I never pursued it for mine. Mono pod works good for 300mm or hand hold on the new bodies that have
IBIS. I bean bag mine when I use a teleconverter.

[snostorm]

Hi IO,

Is there a wide enough surface to mount a tripod ring on the lens? I know my A* 200 f2.8 doesn't really have a place that's suitable. The available Canon knockoff rings are about 66,68, and 72mm ID IIRC -- I just researched these to find one that will fit on the Pentax K to Q adapter. Unfortunately I no longer have an A* 300/4 so I can't measure or try any of the ones I have.

From the picture in the lens database (actually that was my lens -- I donated the pic a long time ago) it looks like you might be able to mount a ring just forward of the focusing ring -- is that the case? If so, post here with a diameter measurement, and I'll see if I can help.

Otherwise, I have another alternative, but it's pricey -- a Hejnar lens support on an Arca Rail.

Scott

[Kerrowdown]

Due to the nature of the construction of this lens there is not really a place to mount a support ring.

The focus ring uses most of the lens barrel length and the aperture ring and DOF scale take up the rest.

If your using a TC then you could possibly mount to this, as usually there are no moving parts or areas you require to be able to access.

All that having been said, I've used the A series version for years without collars or rings and its all worked fine.

[snostorm]

All that having been said, I've used the A series version for years without collars or rings and its all worked fine.

I used to say the same thing about the A* 300/4 and FA* 300/4.5. . . but that was before the Q which makes them 1674mm EQ -- and some ultra tele shooters are using the K01 for the Live View w/ Focus Peaking focus accuracy. Holding a lens like this, even if it's the lightest of its kind, at arms' length, and then manual focusing, is not practical. That 77mm front element gets real heavy, real fast.

Scott

[crewl1]

There is a lens support option from manfrotto that might work.

Look at this on eBay:

Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support w/ Quick Release

http://bit.ly/UGsIVc

[thazooo]

There is a lens support option from manfrotto that might work.

Look at this on eBay:

Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support w/ Quick Release

http://bit.ly/UGsIVc

This is interesting. I like the cradle on the front, leave the strap a bit loose and you'd have smooth focus.
I've got the EPL-1 as a 2nd. system and this would solve some of my concerns about mounting big Pentax
glass on the front of it. Thanks for posting.

[crewl1]

This is interesting. I like the cradle on the front, leave the strap a bit loose and you'd have smooth focus. I've got the EPL-1 as a 2nd. system and this would solve some of my concerns about mounting big Pentax glass on the front of it. Thanks for posting.

Since it appears the length is adjustable you could presumably position the cradle in a spot that would free up the focus ring and still tighten the strap, but I guess it all depends on the lens design.

[snostorm]

This is a link to the Hejnar lens support that I mentioned in a previous post. A Velcro strap can be added if the camera is going to be used in portrait orientation. It's a bit more elegant than the Manfrotto support system, and is the best alternative for me because I use Arca compatible support options. I also already had a number of small clamps that I use for other applications. I use it with a double clamp setup with the Q, and this gives me an Arca plate that runs almost the full length of the lens, so I can balance the whole thing on the head. Balance on the head is not absolutely necessary, but it makes the combination much easier to shoot since I'm not having to fight the weight to position the camera.

Here's a quick snap of the 6" Hejnar lens support with a Q and A* 200 f2.8 (and I'm a jerk for not noticing that the gap in the green ring on the hood was facing me. . .) The 6" rail is just long enough for this lens on the Q, but all of the physically longer lenses I have already have tripod collars on the lens. I'd only be using this setup for the A* 200/2.8 and my currently broken Tamron SP 180 f2.5. For all the rest of the shorter lenses, the tripod collar mounted on the adapter will work fine -- these two lenses have very heavy 77mm front elements and not enough space to mount a tripod ring on the lens.

6 inch Lens Support Package [LLSP4] - $85.00 : Hejnar Photo Store, Serving Your Professional Photography Needs

Scott

[interested_observer]

This is a link to the Hejnar lens support that I mentioned in a previous post. A Velcro strap can be added if the camera is going to be used in portrait orientation. It's a bit more elegant than the Manfrotto support system, and is the best alternative for me because I use Arca compatible support options. I also already had a number of small clamps that I use for other applications. I use it with a double clamp setup with the Q, and this gives me an Arca plate that runs almost the full length of the lens, so I can balance the whole thing on the head. Balance on the head is not absolutely necessary, but it makes the combination much easier to shoot since I'm not having to fight the weight to position the camera.

Here's a quick snap of the 6" Hejnar lens support with a Q and A* 200 f2.8 (and I'm a jerk for not noticing that the gap in the green ring on the hood was facing me. . .) The 6" rail is just long enough for this lens on the Q, but all of the physically longer lenses I have already have tripod collars on the lens. I'd only be using this setup for the A* 200/2.8 and my currently broken Tamron SP 180 f2.5. For all the rest of the shorter lenses, the tripod collar mounted on the adapter will work fine -- these two lenses have very heavy 77mm front elements and not enough space to mount a tripod ring on the lens.

6 inch Lens Support Package [LLSP4] - $85.00 : Hejnar Photo Store, Serving Your Professional Photography Needs

Scott

Morning Scott and Everyone,

Thank you very much for the information. It looks very promising. I too have settled on the AS comparable system, and though that I was down to just acquiring one last clamp. I mainly picked up the Q to have a pocket camera replacing the LX3 my son ask to "borrow". With the 01 lens and hopefully some future wide angle (20-24mm) I though that I would be set. With the Q/K adapter, it just makes telephoto that much more available, and since I essentially have most of the mechanical support items already available, I thought - why not. I do remember seeing some of your posts on the Q with the longer lenses.

The Hejnar setup along with the Manfrotto looks promising. I needed a nodal rail anyway, and this setup, I could have it do double duty.

[interested_observer]

This is a link to the Hejnar lens support that I mentioned in a previous post. A Velcro strap can be added if the camera is going to be used in portrait orientation. It's a bit more elegant than the Manfrotto support system, and is the best alternative for me because I use Arca compatible support options. I also already had a number of small clamps that I use for other applications. I use it with a double clamp setup with the Q, and this gives me an Arca plate that runs almost the full length of the lens, so I can balance the whole thing on the head. Balance on the head is not absolutely necessary, but it makes the combination much easier to shoot since I'm not having to fight the weight to position the camera.

Here's a quick snap of the 6" Hejnar lens support with a Q and A* 200 f2.8 (and I'm a jerk for not noticing that the gap in the green ring on the hood was facing me. . .) The 6" rail is just long enough for this lens on the Q, but all of the physically longer lenses I have already have tripod collars on the lens. I'd only be using this setup for the A* 200/2.8 and my currently broken Tamron SP 180 f2.5. For all the rest of the shorter lenses, the tripod collar mounted on the adapter will work fine -- these two lenses have very heavy 77mm front elements and not enough space to mount a tripod ring on the lens.

Scott

Evening Scott,

Nothing like pondering a decision to death. I finally broke down and ordered the rail kit from Hejnar - same one, the 6" rail. I kept measuring and it was close. I have been playing with the adjustments and the 6" is a tad (about 10mm) too long. 5" would be a bit too short. I have a clamp holding the camera with a long knob on it, so that I can push the clamp's position in, but its still a bit too long. The problem, and its not a real problem - but at infinity focus, the rollers fall in the wrong place (for support) on the lens barrel. If the rollers could be removed and put on the other side of the Y yoke, it would be much better - actually perfect. I might make that suggestion to Hejnar.

All in all, the parts from Hejnar are well make, very nicely finished and fit perfectly - base clamp and everything including my Acratech GP ballhead and clamp, and also my Kirk L bracket.

This is the first time that I used the flash on my Q - and it works!!!

[reeftool]

I use the Manfrotto 293 on my K 300/4 that Crewl1 mentioned. Not pretty but it does the job and it's adjustable so I also use it on my Tak 200/4 and both with TC's. It's $73.95 at B&H right now.
Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support with Quick Release 293 B&H

[interested_observer]

I use the Manfrotto 293 on my K 300/4 that Crewl1 mentioned. Not pretty but it does the job and it's adjustable so I also use it on my Tak 200/4 and both with TC's. It's $73.95 at B&H right now.
Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support with Quick Release 293 B&H

Afternoon Reef,

I considered the option, but I have an L Bracket on the body that uses Arca-Swiss, so in terms of comparability this approach just made everything a common mechanical interface. Manfrotto just started supporting A-S, and this looked like their own RS interface.