I found so many rings over at ebay it makes the head spin. From $7.95 up.Does anyone know the outer tube diameter for this lens and one of these after market ring that would make a happy fit?I'm also considering some sort of protection for the silver paint - Gun sock? camo tape? (doesn't it leave some sticky goo behind later?Nylon legging?must be some good ideas out there -- At any given moment, there is a sort of all pervading orthodoxy, a general tacit agreement not to discuss large and uncomfortable facts… Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness. - George Orwell“It's not a matter of whether the war is not real, or if it is, Victory is not possible. The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous. … The war is waged by the ruling group against its own subjects and its object is not the victory over [the purported enemy], but to keep the very structure of society intact.” George Orwell, 1984

solariderwrote:I found so many rings over at ebay it makes the head spin. From $7.95 up.Does anyone know the outer tube diameter for this lens and one of these after market ring that would make a happy fit?That is what is written on my ~$10 aftermarket mount:for Canon tripod mount ring A (W)It is grey-beige colorHowever, I use my FA*300/4.5 mostly hand-held.I'm also considering some sort of protection for the silver paint - Gun sock? camo tape? (doesn't it leave some sticky goo behind later?Nylon legging?must be some good ideas out thereI never thought about it. From my experience with some similar applications neoprene tubes for can/mug/etc. holding might work well. Just remember that you will need access to push/pull MF/AF and MF ring of FA*300/4.5.

solariderwrote:I found so many rings over at ebay it makes the head spin. From $7.95 up.Does anyone know the outer tube diameter for this lens and one of these after market ring that would make a happy fit?Here is the one that most of us buy.Canon 70-200mm f4 tripod mount ringhttp://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Canon+70-200mm+f4+tripod+mount+ring&_sacat=0&_odkw=Canon+70-200mm+f4+tripod+mount&_osacat=0However, for what it's worth: I found that the tripod mount from my Tamron 80-200mm f2.8 Adaptall 2 works even better on the FA*300/4.5 lens. So I swapped them and now the Canon 70-200mm f4 tripod mount ring is on my Tamron 80-200/2.8 lens. I realize that not everyone has access to the tripod mount from the Tamron 80-200mm f2.8 but it might be worth keeping an eye out for one.If you are willing to pay the price, another item that can be used with the FA*300/4.5 as well as many other lenses is:Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support with Quick Releasehttp://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554350-REG/Manfrotto_293_293_Telephoto_Lens_Support.htmlThis Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support works best with internal focusing (IF) lenses but I have used it with non IF lenses as well. For instance, A*300/4, A*200/2.8, SMC 200/2.5, FA*200/2.8, DA*200/2.8, A*135/1.8, 400, 500, 600, and 800mm mirror lenses. I do belieive that when I get an L Bracket that it will work great for shooting in the portrait mode also.I'm also considering some sort of protection for the silver paint - Gun sock? camo tape? (doesn't it leave some sticky goo behind later?Nylon legging?must be some good ideas out thereMy lenses are for using, not for worrying about keeping pristine, so I really don't worry about that.Cheers.Ron

Gentleman,I hope you all had a great labor day weekend.Thank you for the ideas. Amazing array of stuff to use out there. Some incredibly affordable.Regarding the paint, I might have found new old stock on this lens, so a bit interested to keep it looking nice.I'll keep an eye out for the tamron ring for a spell, who knows maybe one will show up? -- At any given moment, there is a sort of all pervading orthodoxy, a general tacit agreement not to discuss large and uncomfortable facts… Anyone who challenges the prevailing orthodoxy finds himself silenced with surprising effectiveness. - George Orwell“It's not a matter of whether the war is not real, or if it is, Victory is not possible. The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous. … The war is waged by the ruling group against its own subjects and its object is not the victory over [the purported enemy], but to keep the very structure of society intact.” George Orwell, 1984

solariderwrote:Regarding the paint, I might have found new old stock on this lens, so a bit interested to keep it looking nice.Nic,Good find if it is true.I remember a few years ago, when I got my LensCoat for my Sigma 500mm f4.5 lens, there were a couple of folks in this forum that talked about buying a certain material and wrapping their own lenses. I don't remember who those folks are nor do I remember what the material was called. You might try starting another thread with a subject line something like "Lens wrapping material for protection?".The company called LensCoat only makes LensCoats for certain lenses which are mostly long and expensive lenses. I could not find any LensCoats for any Pentax lenses on the LensCoat.com website.Good luck.Ron

Just a caution with some of the cheaper eBay mounts.I bought the Canon 70-200 f4 job, and it works well. However, before using it, check the inner diameter of the ring for metal burrs, or anything that will mark the lens. File them smooth and put some tape or other protection on it.I learned the hard way and have a couple of chips in the paint work now because of the burrs.Looks good painted silver.

Thanks. This is good bit for us to know. I appreciate that we can share different ideas and benefit, not just me.Btw, on the other topic, I noticed someone using gators or something like it over their lens. You can't really use the lens for any MF thoughNicdwm2020wrote:Just a caution with some of the cheaper eBay mounts.I bought the Canon 70-200 f4 job, and it works well. However, before using it, check the inner diameter of the ring for metal burrs, or anything that will mark the lens. File them smooth and put some tape or other protection on it.I learned the hard way and have a couple of chips in the paint work now because of the burrs.Looks good painted silver.