Canon® EOS Digital Photography Photo Workshop

7.4. CONSIDER A TRIPOD MOUNT FOR SPECIALTY LENSES

Every camera comes with the ability to be mounted to a tripod using the screw mount on the bottom of the body. However, when using larger lenses, which place a significant amount of weight onto the overall camera and lens combination, having a tripod or monopod attached to the bottom of the camera body isn't the best point at which to balance the camera because of the lens's forward weight. By mounting the lens to the tripod instead of the camera body, it makes the camera and lens more stable and less likely to tip over.

Most larger Canon lenses, and even some of the medium-large ones such as the 70-200mm f/2.8L USM EF model, include a tripod mount with the lens, as shown in 7-3. You can also purchase tripod mounts separately. Tripod mounts are detachable in case you don't want to use them or if you need to make the lens more compact for transport.

Lens tripod mounts are attached to a clamped, rotating ring that holds onto the lens (and that can be removed). This actually gives you an advantage by allowing you to rotate the camera and lens on the tripod (such as for vertical shots). To achieve the same thing using the camera body mounted to the tripod would require you to rotate the tripod head, which would be very cumbersome with such a large lens.

NOTE

When using a tripod mount ring on a larger lens, be sure it is tightly secured. Rings turn easily if not properly attached, and some types can even open completely, potentially ...