Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

btnapa · 09-13-2014, 09:04 AM

I am using a few heavier long lenses on my K3. Non of the lenses have a tripod collar.

My question is how much weight (in ounces, pounds, grams, etc.) can you put on a camera mount and be safe. My concern is that the heavy lenses might bend or damage the mount. I know common sense prevails. However, is there a magic formula or number (in weight) that one should not exceed.

Thanks for any help you techy guys can provide.

alamo5000 · 09-13-2014, 09:18 AM

Don't carry the camera (with a long lens on it) by the body. End of story.

Pick it up and carry it by the lens.

I don't know how much weight is needed to cause damage and I don't intend to find out.

I have a Tamron 70-200 that is my biggest lens and this is how I do it when I have that lens on the camera.

Anything smaller than that one and you should be ok.

**jatrax** · 09-13-2014, 10:09 AM

At some point you have a camera attached to a lens instead of a lens attached to a camera.

I have no issues with the DA*60-250 or the DA*300 both about 1100 grams. The A 400 f/5.6 @ 1240g I tend to hold by the lens and the Sigma 50-500 @ 1840g is always by the lens. Just what I do, YMMV.

Trawlerman · 09-13-2014, 10:45 AM

Always carry big lenses by their tripod collars if they are fitted with them. I have a Sigma 50-500mm Bigma and wouldn't dream of carry it by the body alone.

BTW, a battery grip is useful when using long lenses as it gives a better balance to the whole kit.

**Miguel** · 09-13-2014, 10:49 AM

Sometimes you can find third-party tripod collars that fit and are effective. Search for collars for Canon telephoto and 100mm macro lenses.

M

stevebrot · 09-13-2014, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by btnapa

However, is there a magic formula or number (in weight) that one should not exceed.

The magic formula is that the combination should balance on the tripod head. If you experience "sag" after positioning or have trouble positioning the camera/lens combo it is probably because the lens is too heavy without a tripod mount.

Steve

6BQ5 · 09-13-2014, 11:03 AM

I would imagine that the engineers behind the K-mount design would have imagined this scenario. Going with that assumption, if I were the design engineer, I would have designed the mount to support the weight of the camera body vs. the mount supporting the weight of the lens. As others have said, if you hold the system by the lens then you should be fine.

For tripod usage I have also seen 3rd party collars and brackets that support the lens. eBay and Amazon are your friends. Also, don't forget the endless imagination of humanity. Try a Google Image search.

promacjoe · 09-13-2014, 01:18 PM

One thing to note, the K1000 uses a metal body. But in MZ/ZX series camera uses plastic Bodies. The plastic body will not hold near as much weight as the metal bodies.

Stay safe and have fun.

Joe.

mickeyobe · 09-13-2014, 01:33 PM

Try a good sized, well stuffed bean bag on your tripod.

Mickey Oberman

Oldbayrunner · 09-13-2014, 01:56 PM

This comes in mighty handy.. Manfrotto 293
Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support with Quick Release 293 B&H

Giklab · 09-13-2014, 03:29 PM

I suggest the heaviest would be the weight of the camera body itself. The camera can be lifted by the lens, so why not the other way around?

(+1 6BQ5)

btnapa · 09-13-2014, 04:18 PM

Thank you all for your replies. I should have mentioned that my application is tripod mounting the camera/lens combo. I guess to be safe, I should get an aftermarket collar

**Ex Finn.** · 09-13-2014, 04:27 PM

The 60-250 comes with a tripod mount/foot, so it is already too heavy I guess?

**Lowell Goudge** · 09-13-2014, 05:07 PM

Originally posted by btnapa

I am using a few heavier long lenses on my K3. Non of the lenses have a tripod collar.

My question is how much weight (in ounces, pounds, grams, etc.) can you put on a camera mount and be safe. My concern is that the heavy lenses might bend or damage the mount. I know common sense prevails. However, is there a magic formula or number (in weight) that one should not exceed.

Thanks for any help you techy guys can provide.

I quite regularly carry a sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2x TC by the camera hand grop. Have done so with every body I have owned from *IstD to K5. Lens alone weighs I think1600 grams. Add about 100g at least for the TC.

As long as the camera has a solid metal chassis it is likely OK

**Ex Finn.** · 09-13-2014, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by Lowell Goudge

I quite regularly carry a sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2x TC by the camera hand grop. Have done so with every body I have owned from *IstD to K5. Lens alone weighs I think1600 grams. Add about 100g at least for the TC.

As long as the camera has a solid metal chassis it is likely OK

On a tripod, by the 1/4-20 screw? Not me...

09-13-2014, 09:04 AM	#1
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,621	Long lens on an SLR body question I am using a few heavier long lenses on my K3. Non of the lenses have a tripod collar. My question is how much weight (in ounces, pounds, grams, etc.) can you put on a camera mount and be safe. My concern is that the heavy lenses might bend or damage the mount. I know common sense prevails. However, is there a magic formula or number (in weight) that one should not exceed. Thanks for any help you techy guys can provide.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it Possible to use an AF lens on an MF body?	Photo_Man_Dan	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	11	04-27-2012 04:54 AM
Controlling Aperture on an FA Lens Question	justtakingpics	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	2	03-25-2011 01:05 PM
Pentax offers $100 instant rebate on k-7 digital slr body and lens kits	Adam	Homepage & Official Pentax News	7	10-14-2009 11:55 AM
Question about an old SLR film lens?	Thumper473	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	8	02-17-2009 05:42 PM
Question About Using an M42 Lens with a ZX-M Body	zx-m	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	6	06-05-2008 03:38 AM

09-13-2014, 09:18 AM	#2
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Don't carry the camera (with a long lens on it) by the body. End of story. Pick it up and carry it by the lens. I don't know how much weight is needed to cause damage and I don't intend to find out. I have a Tamron 70-200 that is my biggest lens and this is how I do it when I have that lens on the camera. Anything smaller than that one and you should be ok.

09-13-2014, 10:09 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	At some point you have a camera attached to a lens instead of a lens attached to a camera. I have no issues with the DA60-250 or the DA300 both about 1100 grams. The A 400 f/5.6 @ 1240g I tend to hold by the lens and the Sigma 50-500 @ 1840g is always by the lens. Just what I do, YMMV.

09-13-2014, 10:45 AM	#4
Trawlerman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hull, Yorkshire, UK Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 210	Always carry big lenses by their tripod collars if they are fitted with them. I have a Sigma 50-500mm Bigma and wouldn't dream of carry it by the body alone. BTW, a battery grip is useful when using long lenses as it gives a better balance to the whole kit.

09-13-2014, 10:49 AM	#5
Miguel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Seattle Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,743	Sometimes you can find third-party tripod collars that fit and are effective. Search for collars for Canon telephoto and 100mm macro lenses. M

09-13-2014, 10:50 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by btnapa However, is there a magic formula or number (in weight) that one should not exceed. The magic formula is that the combination should balance on the tripod head. If you experience "sag" after positioning or have trouble positioning the camera/lens combo it is probably because the lens is too heavy without a tripod mount. Steve

09-13-2014, 11:03 AM	#7
6BQ5 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Nevada, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,348	I would imagine that the engineers behind the K-mount design would have imagined this scenario. Going with that assumption, if I were the design engineer, I would have designed the mount to support the weight of the camera body vs. the mount supporting the weight of the lens. As others have said, if you hold the system by the lens then you should be fine. For tripod usage I have also seen 3rd party collars and brackets that support the lens. eBay and Amazon are your friends. Also, don't forget the endless imagination of humanity. Try a Google Image search.

09-13-2014, 01:18 PM	#8
promacjoe Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 340	One thing to note, the K1000 uses a metal body. But in MZ/ZX series camera uses plastic Bodies. The plastic body will not hold near as much weight as the metal bodies. Stay safe and have fun. Joe.

09-13-2014, 01:33 PM	#9
mickeyobe Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,759	Try a good sized, well stuffed bean bag on your tripod. Mickey Oberman

09-13-2014, 01:56 PM	#10
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,666	This comes in mighty handy.. Manfrotto 293 Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support with Quick Release 293 B&H

09-13-2014, 03:29 PM	#11
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	I suggest the heaviest would be the weight of the camera body itself. The camera can be lifted by the lens, so why not the other way around? (+1 6BQ5)

09-13-2014, 04:18 PM	#12
btnapa Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 1,621 Original Poster	Thank you all for your replies. I should have mentioned that my application is tripod mounting the camera/lens combo. I guess to be safe, I should get an aftermarket collar

09-13-2014, 04:27 PM	#13
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	The 60-250 comes with a tripod mount/foot, so it is already too heavy I guess?

09-13-2014, 05:07 PM	#14
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	Originally posted by btnapa I am using a few heavier long lenses on my K3. Non of the lenses have a tripod collar. My question is how much weight (in ounces, pounds, grams, etc.) can you put on a camera mount and be safe. My concern is that the heavy lenses might bend or damage the mount. I know common sense prevails. However, is there a magic formula or number (in weight) that one should not exceed. Thanks for any help you techy guys can provide. I quite regularly carry a sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2x TC by the camera hand grop. Have done so with every body I have owned from *IstD to K5. Lens alone weighs I think1600 grams. Add about 100g at least for the TC. As long as the camera has a solid metal chassis it is likely OK

09-13-2014, 06:14 PM	#15
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Originally posted by Lowell Goudge I quite regularly carry a sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2x TC by the camera hand grop. Have done so with every body I have owned from *IstD to K5. Lens alone weighs I think1600 grams. Add about 100g at least for the TC. As long as the camera has a solid metal chassis it is likely OK On a tripod, by the 1/4-20 screw? Not me...

Long lens on an SLR body question

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!