I'm thinking of purchasing this lens and I'm wondering about lens support. It's a heavy lens and I'm wondering if anyone who's using this set-up can fill me in on the necessity of lens support. Is lens support required when shooting with this lens?
Thanks.

I'm not using that particular lens, but I do know that it comes equipped with a tripod mount on a rotating collar, and it is indeed heavy, so I would definitely recommend using a long tripod plate with that combo.

Yes Matt and Chris the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II does come with a tripod mount. I use it on my C300 and it is a great lens. But Chris is correct you should support it. I am sure there are some who will say they don't and it is fine but there is a reason for the tripod mount on the lens, and proper use of the gear is to support the lens.

Paul, just wondering if the depth of the tripod mount on that lens matches the level of the camera base... in other words, if you're using a long plate for both the camera and the lens, do you need a riser anywhere, or is it completely flush all the way across?

Hi Chris,

No, they don't match with my setup. I am using the Movcam rig which has a 16x9 baseplate and rods coming out the front which the lens support mounts to a Zacuto rod base between the two rods. Works well and is out of the way when using the Canon 17-55.

Don't know if they would match without my rig I can check that tomorrow also if you like and send pics?

Done in the office for the day but happy to send pics tomorrow if you like?

Hi Paul,
Would love to see pictures of your set-up.
Thanks,
MG

Here you go a few pics that I took of the 70-200 both sides and the 17-55. The 70-200 as you can see does not line up with the bottom of the camera base it is higher.

Sorry the bottom pic is labeled as 70-200 but is the 17-55.

Hope this helps.

The rig looks great mate. How is this on the shoulder?
I'm thinking of selling my Sony 500 and rigging out the 300 as a shoulder mount similar to what you have done.

What are some of the issues you have encounted using the 300 with your rig with this setup.

Cheers mate,

Hi Simon,

Hope you are well?

As you know having been a PMW-500 and F800 owner I really like the C300 on the shoulder. No problem doing it all day and lighter then the 500 which is lighter then the 800. And for fast moving run and gun stuff it is great. The 17-55 is a fantastic lens and one I use 90% of the time so far. You will miss the slow/smooth zooms that you get with fantastic 2/3" glass but so far that is all I miss.

The Movcam/16x9 base plate and top handle are excellent. But the shoulder attachment they sell does not go far enough off center. So I purchased the Redrock offset for 15mm rails you see in the pic then used the shoulder pad that came with the Movcam. This works great and lines up perfect.

You could save a lot of money buy buying the good base plate to keep using the Sony tripod system that is in the pic and same as 500. The top handle is a must in my opinion. I have the LCD there and mic when needed or two wireless when needed. It all fits in the Think Tank Airport Security roller bag and is carry on. My 5D MKIII for my still work fits in the Think Tank Accelerator Backpack with 8 lens and loads of other gear, also a carry on. So I only check one Storm case and one Portabrace tripod bag. Nice to travel a lot lighter then in the past.

I don't think you would be disappointed moving away from the PMW-500 and the added weight, expense, and lack of lens options. I always missed going really wide with my 500/800. Sure you could buy a wide 2/3" nice glass but I have purchased the full C300 kit for less.

Now I am thinking of a C100 as my backup, but I need to still see if the pic is up to the C300, not convinced yet. Please don't come back at me telling me different we all need to be convinced for our work and clients needs.

I'm thinking of purchasing this lens and I'm wondering about lens support. It's a heavy lens and I'm wondering if anyone who's using this set-up can fill me in on the necessity of lens support. Is lens support required when shooting with this lens?
Thanks.

I would always support this lens. It's a given in the stills world but I often see photos of people shooting video who do not. To not support it feels like an accident waiting to happen.

FWIW, here's a blog post where I am using RRS quick release equipment, the 70-200 and a 1D Mark IV:
Stopping Short of Rails | Learning to See (http://www.jonroemer.com/blog/2011/11/stopping-short-of-rails/)

Below is a similar setup with the C300 and 70-200.

Both setups, C300 & 1D Mark IV, use a RRS 80mm quick release clamp, the B2-LLR-II. The clamp works well but it can be a touch snug when unlock the C300/70-200 combo from the QR clamp.

Kessler makes a really nice new clamp, the Kessler Kwik release. What it adds above and beyond the RRS clamp is that it's a bit beefier, it has a snap-in setup, and it has many more mounting holes.

Kessler Kwik Release (http://www.kesslercrane.com/product-p/kwik_system.htm)

The Kessler clamp is compatible with the RRS rails but there is an issue in that its lever doesn't have enough clearance when the 70-200 is used. The work around would be to loosen the 70-200 lens foot collar and rotate the C300 body out of the when locking down the Kessler clamp.

See post below for more info and more links.

Thanks Paul, I'm finding that most if not all of my shoots are now on the 300. The thing I do miss is the ability to go wide and push in as I do with a 2/3'' lens and having to change lenses when the action heats up is a bit of a problem with the 300. I have been thinking about keeping my 2/3'' lens and using a B4 adaptor but I will need to really research this throughly first.

On the 300 I'm using mostly the 16 35mm for general moving about and I have just added the DP4 EVF to help me with pulling focus a bit better.

Not sure about the C100 with its lower bit rate etc... let me know your thoughts if you check this out.

Cheers,
Simon

That would be long with the the 2/3" lens and I need to be wide for most of my work.

The 16-35 is great and I would use it also but no IS takes it out of the game for me.

Will let you know when I use a C100 and see how it stands up. From previous AVCHD I am not interested since I go broadcast often, then a recorder, I just got rid of my Nano.

Summer down under, with Boxing Day just around the bend.

Jon,
You bring up some great products, and a path that makes perfect sense. I just purchased the Really Right Stuff tVC-34L tripod and LB55 head, with a few L84 for my longer glass. This is all for a MKIII. Great stuff and the quick release with the lens foot works great.

Did not know about the option to set up with their quick release for lens and body, much lighter and just as strong as the Sony. And with the system you showed both body and lens are very secure and easy on and easy off. I like it.

Jon,

Could you list the actual gear that you are using for mounting C300 and 70-200 lens to the Kessler Quick Release you linked too?

There are a bunch of options in what you listed and just want to make it clear so it is easy to purchase.

From the looks of it I will sell my Sony setup and use this lighter just as strong system.

The 16-35 L is great for small movements but get this on a boat etc... things get a bit jittery. I just completed a shoot with the C300 all handheld using the 16-35 L and a lot of this was with me in a car both in the back and in the passenger seat conducting interviews as the car traveled down some of our dirt roads we have here, very rough. As I was shooting i'm thinking this footage will be crap with all the motion and jitter one gets with a DSLR handheld style camera. To my amazement the C300 handled this better than I thought which gives me confidence going hand held. I would like to try the 17-55 in the same conditions.

I wonder if a zoom style lens will be on the market soon? Hope so.

You bring up some great products, and a path that makes perfect sense. I just purchased the Really Right Stuff tVC-34L tripod and LB55 head, with a few L84 for my longer glass. This is all for a MKIII. Great stuff and the quick release with the lens foot works great.

Did not know about the option to set up with their quick release for lens and body, much lighter and just as strong as the Sony. And with the system you showed both body and lens are very secure and easy on and easy off. I like it.

The RRS is very strong. The rating is at least 50 lbs but it may be higher. The easy on, easy off, is what I was aiming for. I have been trying to keep the setup (dslr & C300) as slr like as possible (avoiding 15mm rails, follow focus, matte box, etc.) and still quickly move from tripod to monopod to slider to hand held, etc. This allows for that.

Jon,

Could you list the actual gear that you are using for mounting C300 and 70-200 lens to the Kessler Quick Release you linked too?

There are a bunch of options in what you listed and just want to make it clear so it is easy to purchase.

From the looks of it I will sell my Sony setup and use this lighter just as strong system.

I am going to have to amend I wrote above... My apologies.

I hadn't used the 70-200 since I got the Kessler Quick Release plate. I just double checked. The Kessler clamp lever is longer and needs a more clearance than the RRS lever on the RRS clamp.

So, here it goes. Canon C300 & 70-200 f/2.8 L lens.

This combo works -> RRS 113mm Rail for under the C300, for when you want to attach the body to the quick release clamp. RRS L84 Lens Plate for the foot of the 70-200/L lens, for when you want to attach the lens to the quick release clamp. RRS B2-LLR II 80mm clamp. It can be a touch snug to unclamp but it works.

MPR-113: 113mm Multi-purpose rail - MPR-113 (http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=MPR-113&type=0&eq=&desc=MPR-113%3a-113mm-Multi-purpose-rail) Comes with 2 1/4-20 screws. You can get a 3/8 -> 1/4-20 Reducer bushing and thus mount the MPR-113 to the C300 using the two screw holes. Very secure.

Really Right Stuff -L84 Lens Plate (http://reallyrightstuff.com/Items.aspx?code=LenCan70-200f28&key=cat)

Really Right Stuff - B2-LLR-II Quick Release Clamp (http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=B2-LLR-II&type=0&eq=&desc=B2-LLR-II%3a-80mm-LR-clamp-w%2f-dual-mount&key=it)

Now the set up above with the Kessler Kwik Release instead of the RRS Clamp doesn't allow for enough room to lock or unlock the lever. There is a simple work around and that would be to loose the 70-200's lens foot, rotate the lens & C300 body to allow the lever to have enough clearance, lock down or unlock as needed, and then rotate the lens/C300 to it's normal position.

I do like the Kessler Kwik Release better for video in that it does clamp in automatically.

http://www.kesslercrane.com/product-p/kwik_system.htm

Can explain more if this is too confusing.

Work around mentioned above for using the Kessler Kwik Release with the C300/70-200 f/2.8 Combo

Lens locked down, camera in normal position, on left. Rotate camera/lens to get the camera body out of the way and give clearance to lock/unlock the large lever.

If you were to use the RRS B2-LR2 II clamp instead the photos are those that you see in my post #9 above. The RRS lever is smaller on the back end. Depending upon how the lens foot is placed in the clamp it can be a bit snug to unlock. It works but if the lens foot is too far forward one would have to rotate the setup all the same.

Thanks for all your input and great ideas on how to support the lens. Very helpful indeed. But my original query with lens support was if it was required at all… I come from the documentary world of run & gun so I was trying to avoid time wasted when changing from my 17-55 to the 70-200. (Although Jon provided a good example of how this might be speeded up…)
I understand why 70-200 stabilization is needed for still photography but I’d like to avoid using lens support when shooting video with my C300. So I guess my question is…
Will using the 70-200 without lens support damage my C300? Anybody heard of someone damaging the camera body by not using lens support with the 70-200?

Thanks Again,
MG.

Simon I think you would like the 17-55 for your style work. Zoom lens, yikes that would be expensive. I know the one for the F3 and F5, 55 is expensive.

Jon,
From what I see in those pics you hang the C300 off the lens? With my rail set up I am going to go for the Kessler since it is better for the C300 then the Sony QR Plate. For the lens I will see if the RRS quick release will work on the rails with the lever off to the right side. I don't use the 20-200 often but will look a this option.

Thanks for your help.

From what I see in those pics you hang the C300 off the lens?

Yep, that's the point for me in terms using the C300 on a tripod or monopod. Use the lens' collar/foot to support everything. Eliminate the stress on the lens mount. Be closer to the balance point of the setup. Keep it the same way one would shoot stills with the lens.

Now, mind you, I'm not using a shoulder rig or a camera support block with 15mm rails. I'm not hanging anything else off of the camera beyond its OEM display.

Your shoulder rig w/the 15mm rails probably just needs a lens support added for the 70-200 unless that's there already. Hard to tell from the photos. If that's the case, a RRS or Kessler rail/plate beneath the 16x9 rail block and a Kessler Kwik Release on your tripod head would work great.

Agree Jon with your light setup you can get away with hanging it off the lens as long as you don't add anything. The camera is heavier then my MKIII but not far off your 1D.

My shoulder rig is on all the time since I grab and go often then click back on. I will order the Kessler quick release today and the RRS MRP 113 for the 16x9 base.

Currently I have a Zacuto mini mount with bolt holding the 70-200. I used what I had but it is a pain to put on and off. I will look at getting a RRS quick release for that since the L84 lives on that lens for the stills with MKIII.

Do you like your 1D? Prefer over MKIII?

Like your site I just ordered the same Design X template and am building now.

Do you like your 1D? Prefer over MKIII?

Like your site I just ordered the same Design X template and am building now.

I love the 1D X and do prefer it over the 5DM3. The latter is no question a great camera but I'm coming from having used all three versions of the 1Ds, the 1DMIV, and prior to that the top of the line Nikons.

For me, I found that while the 5DM3 was greatly improved over the 5DM2 in terms of build quality and features, it was too much of a compromise relative to what I was used to. I went from the 1DsM3 to the 5DM3 thinking it would be a good move, I reasoned that I didn't want the drop in stills resolution from the 1DsM3 to the 1D X, but I found in practice was that it was a moot point.

In the end I was lucky, my brief foray into the 5DM3 ending up saving me money since the 1DsM3's I sold back in March dropped precipitously in value between then and when the 1D X became available.

I have a blog post about the decision of the 1D X over the 5DM3: The End of the Affair | Learning to See (http://www.jonroemer.com/blog/2012/10/the-end-of-the-affair/) and there's a follow up here with images from one of the shoots referenced in that post: The Conservator | Learning to See (http://www.jonroemer.com/blog/2012/11/the-conservator/) .

I have not used the 1D X for video yet... preferring to go to my C300 for video jobs.

Thanks on the web site. I have been very happy with a APhotoFolio and I'm looking to switch over to Design X once things slow down in the new year. From what I can tell it's much more amenable to mixing stills and video.

Yes Matt and Chris the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II does come with a tripod mount. I use it on my C300 and it is a great lens. But Chris is correct you should support it. I am sure there are some who will say they don't and it is fine but there is a reason for the tripod mount on the lens, and proper use of the gear is to support the lens.

Really dont think its necessary to support this lens. The mount is more than strong enough to support it for run and gun. I have been using the 70-200 2.8 IS and its subsequent MkII revision for years on my stills cameras, with the lens on the camera whilst camera is attached to a spider holster or slung around my neck. Its really nothing to worry about.

The tripod collar is there so you can mount the body/lens combo onto a monopod or tripod and maintain a more central point of balance so that its easier to set up and prevent lens droop.

I wouldnt spend money on a support kit for this lens unless you have nothing better to spend your money on.

Thanks Jon,

I appreciate your input on the 5D MKIII vs. the 1DX. I have been back an forth with this for a few weeks now and two buddies who shoot with both tell me the same thing you are saying. I am going to borrow one of the 1DX for a shoot and see for myself.

Design X is what I am building now and it is nice. Will be very happy to leave my Wordpress site behind.



Robert we are all entitled to our opinion one of the many things that makes DVinfo.net great.

For me I would never use my C300 with out supporting the 70-200 and bigger glass. I have two friends who work for Canon and they both have recommended I support the larger glass on the C300.

For my 5D MKIII I don't support it unless it is on a tripod, very differ since the body is lighter then C300.

Hey Paul,

Didnt mean my post to sound rude.

I honestly think though , that you could use this lens without support all day and not worry about it. The fact that the c300 body is heavier shouldn't make any difference, the mount is constructed in the same way.The lens is held by the camera not the other way around.

As long as you aren't spinning the camera around and causing strange centripetal forces on it, you could mount it and leave it all day.

If you have the time to support it, hey why not? Personally i think its just another bit of faff and weight to add to your rigging experience.

To be clear, if you had a 300 2.8L, then of course you would be supporting that badboy, the length and weight are too great, but the 70-200 2.8? Well i've made my thoughts on that clear already i guess.

Hi Robert,

I did not think you were being rude at all. You expressed your opinion and I appreciate that very much.

I do move around quickly on boats shooting boats, also I do a lot of helicopter work, and some extreme sports shooting. So it is not your normal shooting. And my rig is not the basic camera and handle very often. Most of the time it has Movcam top handle and base plate with other gear on it so it is heavier. Not by choice just by quick on shoulder or tripod or handle shooing. Really like the camera and look forward to lots of TB of footage.

If it was just stock camera and handle I would give it a go. And I agree with my EF 300mm I would always support.

Oh, so you had to go and pull the helicopter card eh!?

.....I dont think my wedding and event filming really puts it under the same stress lol.

LOL,

Yea I have been doing that for a long time and love it.

The tripod collar is there so you can mount the body/lens combo onto a monopod or tripod and maintain a more central point of balance so that its easier to set up and prevent lens droop.That's my reason for putting a Manfrotto QR plate on the tripod ring. The 70-200mm plus C300 is pretty heavy for my tripod or monopod so getting support much more under the centre of gravity just makes the combo better balanced & easier to handle.

Jon thanks for your recommendations. The Kessler baseplate and RRS 130mm camera plate both arrived and they are a perfect combination. Leaves perfect space for the RRS quick release for bigger glass.

Also so far I am very impressed with the 1DX, nothing like it on the market for stills.

Jon thanks for your recommendations. The Kessler baseplate and RRS 130mm camera plate both arrived and they are a perfect combination. Leaves perfect space for the RRS quick release for bigger glass.

Also so far I am very impressed with the 1DX, nothing like it on the market for stills.

Paul - Great! Glad to hear it's all working out.

Sorry to come to the party late AND wrench it in a slightly different tack, but very keen on keeping my C100 'au naturel' for projects next year:

How about the 70-200 f4? Light enough for straight mount to camera?

Yes. Doing that now with my Canon 70-200 F4 IS. Lovely combo and images.

Work around mentioned above for using the Kessler Kwik Release with the C300/70-200 f/2.8 Combo

Lens locked down, camera in normal position, on left. Rotate camera/lens to get the camera body out of the way and give clearance to lock/unlock the large lever.

If you were to use the RRS B2-LR2 II clamp instead the photos are those that you see in my post #9 above. The RRS lever is smaller on the back end. Depending upon how the lens foot is placed in the clamp it can be a bit snug to unlock. It works but if the lens foot is too far forward one would have to rotate the setup all the same.

Just wanted to add, too, a simple solution for this setup (C300 + 70-200 w/lens collar) with the Kessler Kwik Release would be to reorient the release 180 deg. The lock-down lever then is not on the camera side, it's on the opposite side. So, no clearance issues between the lever and the camera body.

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread.. I'm trying to build my Canon Lens collection around the C100. I would like to hear opinions on the benefits of IS with the 70-200 f4. I'm tempted to go with non-IS and help purchase the 100mm macro. It's really double the price for IS, and I wonder if you're typically locked down (tripod) while this tight,, say greater than 100mm. Is there a focal length where IS is no longer viable for video. Lastly, 70-200mm IS or non-IS??

I have he 70-200mm f/2.8 non-IS lens. I rented the IS version several times before buying the non IS lens. In a pinch, if I had to get a long lens, hand held shot, the IS definitely made it possible. The downside is that the IS version is not parfocal. I ran into a number of situations where I would start focused on a tight shot and then widen to a mid shot and lose sharp focus. So, it's a toss up. If you don't mind refocusing when you reframe, it is nice to have the IS.

The IS is not par focal, but the non-IS is! Thanks, that's a major consideration.Thanks!