With the new Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR, Nikon closed a long-lasting gap in their medium telephoto lens zoom setup. The new lens is a very solid performer, with a few caveats (see my review HERE); among these, one of my main complains is that Nikon got stingy and decided not to offer a lens collar to go with the lens. This is something that you'll definitely need if you plan to use the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR on a tripod or monopod: Nikon of course offers an optional lens collar, the Nikon RT-1, however they want you to part from $169 US to get it, which isn't exactly cheap after forking nearly $1.400 US on the lens itself. While this may be seen as a questionable move on Nikon's part for a lens of such caliber, it allows you to skip the Nikon collar and choose among other (better?) offers. Among these, I chose to go for the Kirk Enterprise's NC-70-200 (selling for $159 US), which I bought and tested. Read on to see what I thought of this much needed accessory!
Kirk has a great reputation as one of the best manufacturers of support accessories such as tripod heads, camera plates & brackets and lens collars; therefore I was pretty confident on the quality of the NC-70-200 when I placed my order.
Upon receiving the package, I wasn't disappointed: the collar and the retaining knob are built like a tank, the materials used exude quality and the finish is very similar to that of the Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR itself. With the collar, you get a basic instruction leaflet (not needed, really: putting the collar and knob together takes all of a second), hex keys and screws, and a Kirk label. Mounting the collar on the lens is very easy, just un-screw the retaining knob, place the collar on the apposite space on the lens' barrel and screw the knob back on. Adjusting the collar position is also very easy: just lighten the knob a bit, turn it to your preferred position and lock it back into place.
The Kirk collar, compared to Nikon's own, features an extra support point further down the lens' barrel, thus making the lens/collar combination rock solid.
More, if you use an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod head, going for the Kirk collar over the Nikon will provide you with the extra versatility of having an Arca-Swiss compatible lens plate built-in. Not having to attach a lens plate to your collar will give you the advantage of a more solid collar / lens assembly with a lower gravity centre, both contributing to a more stable overall camera / lens / tripod system.
As well, going for such an all-in-one solution you'll end up saving some money versus buying the Nikon collar and an extra plate for it. Obviously, if you use a non-Arca compatible tripod head there is absolutely no difference between choosing the Nikon collar versus the Kirk: with either choice you'll have to attach a plate compatible with your preferred head.
More, if you use an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod head, going for the Kirk collar over the Nikon will provide you with the extra versatility of having an Arca-Swiss compatible lens plate built-in. Not having to attach a lens plate to your collar will give you the advantage of a more solid collar / lens assembly with a lower gravity centre, both contributing to a more stable overall camera / lens / tripod system.
As well, going for such an all-in-one solution you'll end up saving some money versus buying the Nikon collar and an extra plate for it. Obviously, if you use a non-Arca compatible tripod head there is absolutely no difference between choosing the Nikon collar versus the Kirk: with either choice you'll have to attach a plate compatible with your preferred head.
As a conclusion, if you plan to use your new Nikon 70-200mm f/4G ED VR on a tripod or monopod I definitely recommend the Kirk NC-70-200 collar: great build, easy to use, cheaper than the Nikon RT-1 and more versatile. What more to ask?
Now for the technical stuff: all the photographs in this review have been taken with the Sigma DP3 Merrill; light has been provided by one Metz Mecablitz 20 C-2 on camera and by 2 Nikon SB-700 Speedlight used as remote slaves on manual.
Now for the technical stuff: all the photographs in this review have been taken with the Sigma DP3 Merrill; light has been provided by one Metz Mecablitz 20 C-2 on camera and by 2 Nikon SB-700 Speedlight used as remote slaves on manual.
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