Looking to support a lens without a tripod mount

**jatrax** · 09-05-2016, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by chibae

My primary concern is the weight of the lens hanging down while walking. If I have a free hand I can reach down and support the lens. But, too many times I stop and put up my bins leaving the camera and lens hanging supported only by the camera strap. Which in turn leaves the lens supported solely by the camera's lens mount.

As others have said, this is not an issue. The 55-300 is one of the lightest telephotos available for Pentax. The slight addition of the 1.4x TC has no bearing either. I routinely hike with the DA*60-250 (a much heavier lens) with no issues. I might have a concern with the DFA*70-200 or DFA150-450 but even there not much of a concern. The lens mount is designed for this and has been doing it for a very, very long time with no problems.

The only time I have seen any word of a mount issue was when the camera / lens was actually dropped. And even those have been remarkably few.

chibae · 09-05-2016, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

As others have said, this is not an issue. The 55-300 is one of the lightest telephotos available for Pentax. The slight addition of the 1.4x TC has no bearing either. I routinely hike with the DA*60-250 (a much heavier lens) with no issues. I might have a concern with the DFA*70-200 or DFA150-450 but even there not much of a concern. The lens mount is designed for this and has been doing it for a very, very long time with no problems.

The only time I have seen any word of a mount issue was when the camera / lens was actually dropped. And even those have been remarkably few.

Thank you, and the others who have responded. My only other "heavy" lens is a 70-200 2.8 and I don't walk around with that lens unless I am using a tripod.

BearCreek · 09-05-2016, 08:09 PM

You might also consider a combination of a Black Rapid strap and a large Think Tank holster case. The holster case keeps the camera body and lens out of trouble when you're walking around (especially when you're accompanied by a large unruly dog, like I usually am), but the Black Rapid strap makes it easy to bring the camera up for a shot. I use that combination a lot when I'm birding.

**csa** · 09-06-2016, 12:26 PM

If the OP is concerned about the weight of the lens connection to the camera, here's another option:

Lens Support Adaptor - System Connector | OP/TECH USA

However, if you want the camera to hang down, then your link to the lens loops would be the one to use.

Frankly, I use the 55-300 + a TC a lot, and have never worried about the pressure on the connectors. Heavier lenses, yep, I would be more concerned.

**gaweidert** · 09-09-2016, 12:58 PM

I don't think that you need to worry about the weight of the 55-300mm lens causing any problems. Cameras mounts are pretty robust.

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09-05-2016, 08:30 AM	#16
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Originally posted by chibae My primary concern is the weight of the lens hanging down while walking. If I have a free hand I can reach down and support the lens. But, too many times I stop and put up my bins leaving the camera and lens hanging supported only by the camera strap. Which in turn leaves the lens supported solely by the camera's lens mount. As others have said, this is not an issue. The 55-300 is one of the lightest telephotos available for Pentax. The slight addition of the 1.4x TC has no bearing either. I routinely hike with the DA60-250 (a much heavier lens) with no issues. I might have a concern with the DFA70-200 or DFA150-450 but even there not much of a concern. The lens mount is designed for this and has been doing it for a very, very long time with no problems. The only time I have seen any word of a mount issue was when the camera / lens was actually dropped. And even those have been remarkably few.

09-05-2016, 08:36 AM	#17
chibae Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 62 Original Poster	Originally posted by jatrax As others have said, this is not an issue. The 55-300 is one of the lightest telephotos available for Pentax. The slight addition of the 1.4x TC has no bearing either. I routinely hike with the DA60-250 (a much heavier lens) with no issues. I might have a concern with the DFA70-200 or DFA150-450 but even there not much of a concern. The lens mount is designed for this and has been doing it for a very, very long time with no problems. The only time I have seen any word of a mount issue was when the camera / lens was actually dropped. And even those have been remarkably few. Thank you, and the others who have responded. My only other "heavy" lens is a 70-200 2.8 and I don't walk around with that lens unless I am using a tripod.

09-05-2016, 08:09 PM	#18
BearCreek Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Morrison, Colorado Posts: 39	You might also consider a combination of a Black Rapid strap and a large Think Tank holster case. The holster case keeps the camera body and lens out of trouble when you're walking around (especially when you're accompanied by a large unruly dog, like I usually am), but the Black Rapid strap makes it easy to bring the camera up for a shot. I use that combination a lot when I'm birding.

09-06-2016, 12:26 PM	#19
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	If the OP is concerned about the weight of the lens connection to the camera, here's another option: Lens Support Adaptor - System Connector \| OP/TECH USA However, if you want the camera to hang down, then your link to the lens loops would be the one to use. Frankly, I use the 55-300 + a TC a lot, and have never worried about the pressure on the connectors. Heavier lenses, yep, I would be more concerned.

09-09-2016, 12:58 PM	#20
gaweidert Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Rochester, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,325	I don't think that you need to worry about the weight of the 55-300mm lens causing any problems. Cameras mounts are pretty robust.