any chance of causing a problem to the lens or camera due to the weight ? DA 300mm

devouges · 08-06-2015, 06:06 PM

Hi,
I just received my 300mm DA* and my firs attempt at BIF was not too good but I will try again tomorrow, But I have a question regarding the lens weight: if the lens is on the camera, can I just let it hang from the neck strap ? Is there any chance of causing a problem to the lens or camera due to the weight ? ( I know my neck is sure gonna feel it ! ! ! ). I am asking because I usually carry my tripod with one hand and just let the camera hang from my neck, but, with a 55-300mm DAL, it is not much of a problem. But with this grenade launcher hanging, it seems to swing around much more !

Thanks

**Nakedgun** · 08-06-2015, 08:48 PM

Whether it will cause a problem is unknown, but personally, allowing that much torque at the lensmount would seem unwise, in my view.

drypenn · 08-06-2015, 09:16 PM

I think that the mount will be strained, but will handle it. Also, a "big" bump or a loosening strap may be too dangerous for that setup. I'll actually be more concerned about your neck

wibbly · 08-06-2015, 10:00 PM

I use peak design straps and have a connector on the tripod mount on the 300. When I'm carrying it I put my strap with one end on the camera and the other on the lens. I figure it can't hurt.

SpecialK · 08-06-2015, 10:33 PM

Originally posted by devouges

.

Both will be fine. It is only a few pounds distributed over a large area.

**pentaxus** · 08-06-2015, 10:37 PM

My guess is that it is probably OK, but I wouldn't try it with the 150-450. I would be curious what Pentax says. In days of yore Nikon said that photographers shouldn't hang the relatively short but heavy 300mm f/2 on any camera but the top of the line "F" cameras ( I know of a photographer who had one on his N8008 and it ripped the front off the camera). You would think that the manufacturer would know what the design specs/tolerances are and supply the info/recommendations.

mtux · 08-06-2015, 11:02 PM

They've put the tripod collar for this issue so you will mount that on tripod not the camera!
I guess that should be same for carrying as well! so it would be better if you mount the strap or part of it to the tripod collar.

DeadJohn · 08-07-2015, 07:53 AM

IMO any lens that is heavy enough to have a tripod foot gets its own strap. I hang it from my neck when I'm mostly stationary, when walking a short distance I wrap the straps around my wrist and hold the tripod foot in my hand, and when walking a longer distance I put it all in my backpack.

devouges · 08-07-2015, 12:37 PM

Thanks for all the info everyone. I did some extra reading and found several alternatives. One that stands out a bit is the "cradle strap"... I will have to try it out in a photo store....

looks like this :
http://tesco.scene7.com/is/image/tesco/291-2940_PI_1000013MN?wid=493&ht=538

Seems easy to put on tripod and remove at will......

reeftool · 08-07-2015, 01:02 PM

I don't generally walk around for any length of time with my Sigma 150-500 around my neck although I worry more about my neck than the camera. I have carried the very heavy K300/4 around. It doesn't come with a tripod collar although it is probably around the same weight as the DA*300. I recently bought a universal Manfrotto Long Lens Support which I now use but for a few years, I used it on both my K10D and K5 with just the camera on the tripod without a problem. Mounted on one of the all plastic entry level bodies might not be wise.

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-07-2015, 01:08 PM

I carry routinely my K300/4 plus the AF1.7x converter or my sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2x converter all the time from the camera strap only, and have done so ever since I started using these lenses, 1991 for the K300 with AF adaptor and 2003 for the sigma 70-200/2.8 with TC. Never had an issue with any body or lens mount and I have had the cameras drop only to be rescued by the strap. The 6 little screws are actually amazingly strong.

Some budget slurs without a tough frame (My Ricoh XR2s for example) suffer distortion and lose electrical contact when supporting such a lens from the tripod socket. This was a widely reported issue, and test by some photo magazines in the early 1980s

**dadipentak** · 08-07-2015, 01:59 PM

I

Originally posted by SpecialK

Both will be fine. It is only a few pounds distributed over a large area.

I agree. The DA*300 is really not that big.

devouges · 08-07-2015, 03:30 PM

I also notice that pointing the camera towards the ground does not cause any "angle pressure"........ seems ok also.

I also got a response from Pentax (doh... Ricoh....) on this :

***** We're not aware of and haven't been advised that there is a problem to either the lens mount or body mount by repeatedly having the camera body support the weight of the lens.

DeadJohn · 08-07-2015, 08:15 PM

Originally posted by devouges

I also notice that pointing the camera towards the ground does not cause any "angle pressure"........ seems ok also.

I also got a response from Pentax (doh... Ricoh....) on this :

***** We're not aware of and haven't been advised that there is a problem to either the lens mount or body mount by repeatedly having the camera body support the weight of the lens.

That came from the USA office, right? I can recognize the noncommittal writing style

Sandy Hancock · 08-07-2015, 09:15 PM

I have carried a Sigma 70-200/2.8 (essentially the same size and weight as the DA*300) on a BlackRapid harness all day many times. No problem for camera or lens.

08-06-2015, 06:06 PM	#1
devouges Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 324	any chance of causing a problem to the lens or camera due to the weight ? DA 300mm Hi, I just received my 300mm DA* and my firs attempt at BIF was not too good but I will try again tomorrow, But I have a question regarding the lens weight: if the lens is on the camera, can I just let it hang from the neck strap ? Is there any chance of causing a problem to the lens or camera due to the weight ? ( I know my neck is sure gonna feel it ! ! ! ). I am asking because I usually carry my tripod with one hand and just let the camera hang from my neck, but, with a 55-300mm DAL, it is not much of a problem. But with this grenade launcher hanging, it seems to swing around much more ! Thanks

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08-06-2015, 08:48 PM	#2
Nakedgun Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Southwest Posts: 1,365	Whether it will cause a problem is unknown, but personally, allowing that much torque at the lensmount would seem unwise, in my view.

08-06-2015, 09:16 PM	#3
drypenn Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 963	I think that the mount will be strained, but will handle it. Also, a "big" bump or a loosening strap may be too dangerous for that setup. I'll actually be more concerned about your neck

08-06-2015, 10:00 PM	#4
wibbly Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Edmonton Posts: 600	I use peak design straps and have a connector on the tripod mount on the 300. When I'm carrying it I put my strap with one end on the camera and the other on the lens. I figure it can't hurt.

08-06-2015, 10:33 PM	#5
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	Originally posted by devouges . Both will be fine. It is only a few pounds distributed over a large area.

08-06-2015, 10:37 PM	#6
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	My guess is that it is probably OK, but I wouldn't try it with the 150-450. I would be curious what Pentax says. In days of yore Nikon said that photographers shouldn't hang the relatively short but heavy 300mm f/2 on any camera but the top of the line "F" cameras ( I know of a photographer who had one on his N8008 and it ripped the front off the camera). You would think that the manufacturer would know what the design specs/tolerances are and supply the info/recommendations.

08-06-2015, 11:02 PM	#7
mtux Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: the Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,444	They've put the tripod collar for this issue so you will mount that on tripod not the camera! I guess that should be same for carrying as well! so it would be better if you mount the strap or part of it to the tripod collar.

08-07-2015, 07:53 AM	#8
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	IMO any lens that is heavy enough to have a tripod foot gets its own strap. I hang it from my neck when I'm mostly stationary, when walking a short distance I wrap the straps around my wrist and hold the tripod foot in my hand, and when walking a longer distance I put it all in my backpack.

08-07-2015, 12:37 PM	#9
devouges Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 324 Original Poster	Thanks for all the info everyone. I did some extra reading and found several alternatives. One that stands out a bit is the "cradle strap"... I will have to try it out in a photo store.... looks like this : http://tesco.scene7.com/is/image/tesco/291-2940_PI_1000013MN?wid=493&ht=538 Seems easy to put on tripod and remove at will......

08-07-2015, 01:02 PM	#10
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	I don't generally walk around for any length of time with my Sigma 150-500 around my neck although I worry more about my neck than the camera. I have carried the very heavy K300/4 around. It doesn't come with a tripod collar although it is probably around the same weight as the DA*300. I recently bought a universal Manfrotto Long Lens Support which I now use but for a few years, I used it on both my K10D and K5 with just the camera on the tripod without a problem. Mounted on one of the all plastic entry level bodies might not be wise.

08-07-2015, 01:08 PM	#11
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,888	I carry routinely my K300/4 plus the AF1.7x converter or my sigma 70-200/2.8 and 2x converter all the time from the camera strap only, and have done so ever since I started using these lenses, 1991 for the K300 with AF adaptor and 2003 for the sigma 70-200/2.8 with TC. Never had an issue with any body or lens mount and I have had the cameras drop only to be rescued by the strap. The 6 little screws are actually amazingly strong. Some budget slurs without a tough frame (My Ricoh XR2s for example) suffer distortion and lose electrical contact when supporting such a lens from the tripod socket. This was a widely reported issue, and test by some photo magazines in the early 1980s

08-07-2015, 01:59 PM	#12
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	I Originally posted by SpecialK Both will be fine. It is only a few pounds distributed over a large area. I agree. The DA*300 is really not that big.

08-07-2015, 03:30 PM	#13
devouges Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 324 Original Poster	I also notice that pointing the camera towards the ground does not cause any "angle pressure"........ seems ok also. I also got a response from Pentax (doh... Ricoh....) on this : ***** We're not aware of and haven't been advised that there is a problem to either the lens mount or body mount by repeatedly having the camera body support the weight of the lens.

08-07-2015, 08:15 PM	#14
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Originally posted by devouges I also notice that pointing the camera towards the ground does not cause any "angle pressure"........ seems ok also. I also got a response from Pentax (doh... Ricoh....) on this : *** We're not aware of and haven't been advised** that there is a problem to either the lens mount or body mount by repeatedly having the camera body support the weight of the lens. That came from the USA office, right? I can recognize the noncommittal writing style

08-07-2015, 09:15 PM	#15
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,272	I have carried a Sigma 70-200/2.8 (essentially the same size and weight as the DA*300) on a BlackRapid harness all day many times. No problem for camera or lens.