Battery Grip :(

[DoubleT]

I popped into Jessops this morning with a handful of voucher to buy myself a Battery grip for my camera ( Ive wanted one for AGES! )

Anyway, I got it home, attached it to my D80 with the 80-200
but I cant use the tripod using the tripod collar of the lens, becasue the battery grip knocks against the head of the tripod limiting its use, meaning I cant flick it round into portrait mode which was one of the main reasons why I wanted the battery grip :(

So Ive decided im going to take it back and get a refund, :(

[Snake Man]

You could just change the tripod head. The 390 is more of a video head anyway.

[DoubleT]

whats recomended then?

[moomike]

Do the lenses you're using have tripod collars?
Failing that, can you not just attach to the base of the battery grip instead, less than ideal I know but that's what I settle for with my lenses without tripod collars & imo a battery grip is a must have accessory :shrug:

[8utters]

^ Yep I do that, just attatch to the base of the grip. However, with an 80-200 it's probably not a good idea, the weight of the lens could damage the mount (or the lens itself...or both).

[Snake Man]

You could go for a ball head. They are cheap and hold plenty of weight. The battery grip will be the perfect counter balance for your 80-200.

[Chris L]

Best if you can try some in a shop really as I had problems mounting my 20D with a grip and a 70-200 f/2.8 onto my old 486 ballhead.

[DoubleT]

Ah thanks guys,

Guess I wont take it back just yet then.

The 80-200 does have a tri-pod collor yes. but its about 3mm too close to the body, other wise it wouldnt be a problem with the head,

I cant get the camera to sit level, I also cant put the camera on the tripod with the lens on, and I want it mounted at the collar so that I can quickly move to portrait mode ( for some reason.)

[kevshore]

I use: http://www.manfrotto.com/page2306.html
Very pleased with it.

[sportysnaps]

I've had this problem - the problem seems to be with Manfrotto - although in my case with Canon 1d...

[daftbugga]

i had the same problem with a similar set up ( D 80 + battery grip + 70 -200 on a 804 head )

have you tried rotating the quick release plate 90 degrees so that the arrow pointing to lens is at 90 degrees to lens , a simple ( like me )cure it solved the problem for me.

[Janice]

have you tried rotating the quick release plate 90 degrees so that the arrow pointing to lens is at 90 degrees to lens , a simple ( like me )cure it solved the problem for me.

Thats what I do. There are 2 arrows on my quick release plate... at 90° to each other probably just for this type of setup. When put at the sideways one all works fine.

[Roody262]

you can get attachment for the tripod collar that allow you to attach in to the tripod in different positions. Scroll down to Quick release plates (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/photo/tripods/wimberley.html#qr) i think these do the same job.

[sportysnaps]

have you tried rotating the quick release plate 90 degrees so that the arrow pointing to lens is at 90 degrees to lens , a simple ( like me )cure it solved the problem for me.

i did the same, although it's only a problem when mounting the camera - not a problem when mounting the lens.