topic Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake? in EF & RF Lenses

Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

kiba89 — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 12:38:51 GMT

Hi all

I have a canon rebel dslr with the kit 75-300mm lens. I have been using it to shoot photos and video of my wife and I windsurfing, but when shooting video have noticed a lot of vibration from the wind.

I am already using a tripod, but I'm looking for other ways to reduce shake, and was considering getting a tripod ring mount to try to help this, but the trouble is this lens doesn't seem made to take a tripod mount ring.

Does anyone have advice for me? Are there mount rings that would work for this lens? Is that even worth it? Are there other ways I can reduce shake that you'd recommend?

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

AtticusLake — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 19:14:24 GMT

I also have a big, heavy camera rig, and I've had a lot of shake problems with wind.

A flimsy tripod will shake in wind; a beefier tripod will help. Also putting the tripod on a firm surface will help -- using spike feet on rock makes a big difference for me.

Finally -- and a bit weirdly -- I'm currently using a tripod with a bowl mount top, and no tripod head -- just a QR plate screwed directly on to the bowl. I think this helps too, as the camera has less between it and the ground. And it's less to carry. But the bowl only provides a small adjustment range, so this only works when I need the camera basically straight and level.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 19:30:55 GMT

"Are there other ways I can reduce shake that you'd recommend?"

You need a better tripod. A good useable tripod is expensive so most guys cheap out and get one that isn't up to the task. You can add a sandbag or other hanging weight to the center section but only if yo uhave a good tripod.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

Waddizzle — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 21:45:38 GMT

I sorry to report that there isn’t a tripod ring available for the EF 75-300mm series of lenses.

I agree with the others. It sounds like you need a beefier tripod if it can shake in the wind. There are a couple of things you can do to reduce the effects of winds and gusts.

First and foremost is lower the tripod column to its lowest position. Lowering the CoG, Center of Gravity, of the rig can go a long way towards stabilizing it.

Many tripods allow for the legs to set to different angles. It is instinctive to use the tallest setting. If your tripod legs can be spread out to different angles, then spread them out. Many tripods allow up to three positions. Try the middle position.

Finally, a better tripod head always helps. The weight load limit of tripod legs and tripod heads is a mystic science. I recommend a set of tripod legs and a tripod head that is rated for at least 20 pounds. Buying gear that is rated for around 35 pounds will probably last much longer than the camera body.

Hope this helps.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

Tronhard — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 23:09:19 GMT

The 75-300 (any version) is one of Canon's poorest lenses and does not have any image stabilization on the lens. Given that you cannot use a lens mount with this lens, if you want to get better quality and steadier shots, get the EF 70-300 IS USM MkII. You can pick them up refurbished or second-hand for a reasonable price. See my review on options for this focal length HERE

No lenses in the range up to 300mm FL have lens tripod mounts. If you want to get one to use on a tripod, then you have to look at something 400mm or above.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

AtticusLake — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 09:40:38 GMT

Oh and if your tripod has a centre column, don't use it. Those things are just wobble crazy.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

amfoto1 — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 17:29:06 GMT

@Tronhard wrote:
....No lenses in the range up to 300mm FL have lens tripod mounts. If you want to get one to use on a tripod, then you have to look at something 400mm or above.

Sorry, but this is incorrect.

In fact there are MANY Canon lenses shorter than 400mm focal length that either have a tripod mounting ring or the option to fit one:

- All Canon EF 70-200mm "L" lenses either come with or can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting collar.

- Also the Canon EF 70-300mm "L" (optional).

- Plus the EF 28-300mm "L" and older EF 35-350mm "L" (included with both).

- Plus the Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L, EF 200mm f/2.8L II (optional), EF 200mm f/1.8L, EF 200mm f/2L, EF 300mm f/4L and EF 300mm f/2.8L lenses all have tripod mounting rings (except as noted).

- Also the Canon 65mm, 100mm and 180mm macro lenses all either include or optionally can be fitted with a tripod ring.

So there are at least eighteen to twenty current or previous Canon EF lenses shorter than 400mm focal length either come with or can optionally be fitted with a tripod mounting collar. This doesn't help the original poster, though... because none of the 75-300mm and the non-L 70-300mm Canon lenses cannot accommodate a tripod collar.

There ARE "long lens supports" available from several manufacturers. Typically those are a bracket that attaches to the 1/4" socket in the bottom of the camera and extends forward with a roller or cradle mechanism for the lens... I honestly don't know if any of them would be fit up to and be usable with an EF 75-300mm (probably a "III", if it was in kit with a recent camera). Do a search, but carefully check the adjustment limitations of any support you find.

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2) some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR & ZENFOLIO

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

Tronhard — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 20:31:54 GMT

Hi Alan: Thanks for pointing that out.

I get your point, and I agree with your statement as far as it goes. I was basing my comment on three things:
1 limiting to a range of lenses with a max FL of 300, and
2 limiting the price point to the more economical lenses as that is what the OP seems to be at, and
3 Canon native lenses.

I agree about the 70-300L, I have that too, but that is at a price point I don't think will be valid
I also have the 28-300L (there is actually a 35-350L), but again they are very expensive, heavy and relatively rare.

Your advice is well expressed and if one looks outside the Canon brand there may be some solutions. I tend to avoid putting collars on lenses that were not specifically designed for them. I even noted on one (non-Canon) lens warranty that doing so would render it invalid.

So, agree I could have been clearer, but I don't think that renders my advice any less valid. I think your covers a wider field and applaud you for that.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

ebiggs1 — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:24:44 GMT

"Oh and if your tripod has a centre column, don't use it."

Oh, also not true. It depends on the tripod. Get a cheap tripod and you get a "wobble" center column. Get a good tripod and you don't. If you are not in the $200+ range you probably got a wobble tripod.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

AtticusLake — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:38:17 GMT

I'm well above the $200 range (though not in the Sachtler range) and I still never use the centre column. It's just physics -- a column extending above where the legs meet just can't be as stable as not using it. Just how bad that is obviously depends on how heavy your camera is -- mine is huge relative to stills cams. I'm not saying the centre column is actually loose (yes, that's a cheap tripod thing, for sure) but any movement at all will be amplified if I use it, like in a gusty wind.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

stevet1 — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 16:40:03 GMT

kiba89,

One option you could look at is the Manfrotto 293 lens support system.

I used one when using heavier lenses that didn't have a lens collar.

B&H sells them.

Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support with Quick Release

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554350-REG/Manfrotto_293_293_Telephoto_Lens_Support.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&lsft=BI%3A514&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg-KR6O-E9wIVsnNvBB0jtgZrEAYYASABEgImJ_D_BwE

Know that they are heavy, and the extra set of knobs can be a little frustrating when trying to fine-tune your photo composition using a heavy lens.

There's also a gap at the far end of the mount that you might want to fill with some styrofoam or something.The plate where your camera mounts is slightly higher than where the end of your lens rests.

They are nice in the sense that the center of gravity is now over the middle of your lens instead of your camera. There's less stress on your camera/lens mount.

Steve Thomas

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 15:44:11 GMT

"... mine is huge relative to stills cams."

I doubt you shoot with heavier gear than I do. It is a matter of selecting the right tripod.

This Manfrotto 3046 with 501 head will extend over my head and will remain rock steady. My lightweight carry around tripod is the Manfrotto 055XPROB Black Aluminum. Good tripods are not cheap but that 3046 has lasted me for a very long, years and years, time. That helps knowing you only have to buy it once.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

ebiggs1 — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 15:48:17 GMT

"If you are not in the $200+ range you probably got a wobble tripod."

Checking Prices lately I may have to increase that $200+ number. I see the 055 is around $300.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

AtticusLake — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 08:26:32 GMT

Yeah, I doubt I'm shooting with heavier gear than you. But I might be shooting on softer ground, or with stronger wind. When you're on peat, in a gale, extending anything you can avoid is a no-go. Again, it's just simple physics, no reflection on the tripod.

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

ebiggs1 — Sun, 10 Apr 2022 15:21:47 GMT

"... I might be shooting on softer ground, or with stronger wind."

Look, the bottom line is everything made by the hand of man has its limitation. Doesn't matter whether its your camera, your car, your lawnmower, or your tripod, whatever, it has limits to what it can do. If you try hard enough you will find and you can reach those limits.

Where I live it is "windy" all the time. The wind is blowing 20-25 mph as we speak today. Guests hit 30-35 mph. Common here especially this time of the year. I am not sue I know what a gale is. I was caught in hurricane Ivan one time and found out quickly I didn't like that so I don't do that. I was not and if subjected to the same situation again I would not be using a tripod. That is because that reached my limits, not the tripods.

The bad thing is a good tripod is expensive. More expensive than I thought since it has been years since I bought mine. The good thing is it is usually a one time, lifetime, purchase. That makes it more palatable.

You claim you can't use the center column post. Why would you buy a tripod that was only partly useable? Does that make sense? Or, does the part that is usable do the job for you?

Re: Tripod mount for EF 75-300mm to reduce shake?

AtticusLake — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 07:33:29 GMT

I'm sorry if I've touched a nerve here -- which it seems I have. I wasn't intending to criticise anyone's gear, or how anyone uses their gear. Of course a centre column can be very useful, particularly on firm ground, or in sheltered conditions.

But the poster was asking about shooting windsurfing, which sounds like outdoors and windy. And he was clearly asking about reducing "vibration from the wind". So I was simply expressing my opinion that *anything* that comes between the camera and the ground is going to make it harder to keep the camera steady. Any way you can get the camera closer to the ground -- both in terms of distance, and in terms of number of components -- is going to help. Again, this seems to me like simple physics, not a reflection on anyone's gear.

Probably my outlook is coloured by the type of shooting I do. Where I regularly shoot (Cairngorm heights) the wind is often gusting 60 to 80 mph; that's generally too much for me, and I try to go out when it's calmer than that. (The Beaufort scale defines a gale as 39–46 mph.)

As for why I bought my tripod (Manfrotto 190 XPROB CF), I bought it because it's a great tripod. With the centre column down, the camera is rock solid, mounted just above the leg joints. And the centre column rigs out horizontal for low macro shots, a feature I have actually used.

I have since got a tripod with a bowl mount instead of a centre column, and nowadays that's the one I use all the time. But even with the 190, I don't consider it to be "only partly useable" just because it has a feature I don't use. I have a Canon C70, which has a vertical shooting mode I never use, but I don't think of it as "only partly useable".

Look, you -- like everyone -- should use your gear in whatever way works for you. Right now I'm sitting in front of a home studio setup that's mostly lashed together with clothes airers, shower curtain rods, and gaffer tape (and 3 tripods and 4 light stands) -- it's not pretty, but it works, and that's all that matters. But when I'm shooting windsurfing at Loch Insh in the next few weeks, which I hope to do, standing on the boggy ground around the shore, I will not be raising my centre column, even if I have one.