When I swapped my first-generation AF-S 500mm for the new AF-S VR 500mm, I noticed that Nikon had apparently increased the height of the tripod base. That’s no problem, the thing has a stabilizer. What’s the point of having a stable tripod if everything wobbles on the lens? They definitely didn’t manage it with the AF-S 80-400mm either – the original clamp is wobbly, jammed and tilted, so it’s real junk. But there are solutions!
Spare tripod feet
Nikon supplies two tripod feet with their large telephoto lenses: an ultra-short one for working from a monopod and a normal one, which is already very high in itself. The former would be great if you could put your fingers between the foot and the lens to carry it a bit.
Replacement feet are now available for all telephoto lenses. The original foot is simply unscrewed from the tripod clamp – with Nikon using four screws – and a replacement foot is attached. New tripod feet usually have an integrated Arca-Swiss-compatible quick-release plate. This saves weight and provides stability, as well as eliminating the need to retighten the screws.
I opted for a Jobu base from Canada for my 500mm because it seemed the most stable – especially when viewed from the side. Since then, nothing has wobbled, the lens is wonderful to carry and photography is really fun again.
Replacement lens clamps
Tripod clamps seem to be a big drama at Nikon. Perhaps the developer is simply a snoring cone. While Canon, for example, has built-in click stops for defined panning from portrait to landscape format without paying attention to the white dot that marks the zero point, with Nikon’s clamps it can happen that the composition is immediately destroyed when the tripod clamp is opened because the lens wobbles in the clamp.
The lens mount of the Nikon Af-S f4.5-5.6 80-400mm is particularly bad. You can really throw that thing away. I almost despaired at the Finnish bears and immediately bought a replacement. Kirk makes wonderful parts, with a small additional support. Installation: easy, stability: perfect, price: okay.
Now I can set off again in peace, and my solid Feisol with Sachtler head makes sense again!
