While researching the Nikon 600mm FL arca swiss compatible lens foot I came across Simon’s blog
The new Nikon 600mm FL is a new lighter design and I got the new RRS LCF-18
I found that the lens foot was slightly higher than the stock Nikon lens foot. Also, to me the length was a bit short while hanging a Dx size big body (600mm FL + Lens hood+ pro body, after balancing adjustments). It would be even shorter if I should use a smaller Dxxx series body. Also, the “heft” or feel in the hand, while holding the lens by the RRS LCF-18 lens foot, felt much “less confident” than the solid feel of the older RRS LCF-13. The allen key access to tighten the screws to the are a pain.
After adjusting for balancing, the 600mm FL with hood + Nikon Dx pro body looks about 1 cm short.
Even with the lens hood reversed, the lens foot is much taller
Seems perfect when balanced without the lens hood ( only 600mm FL + pro body). Notice the LCF-18 lens foot extends about 1 cm beyond the end of the wimberly gimbal plate, after it is adjusted for balance..
The RRS LCF-18
| Construction | 6061-T6 aluminum Type II black anodizing |
| Mounting Threads | 2 x 1/4″-20 sockets 2 x 3/8″-16 sockets |
| Dimensions | Length: 6.0″ / 154 mm Height: 1.75″ / 48 mm Width: 1.7″ / 44 mm at top, 1.5″ / 38mm at base |
| Weight | 5.3 oz / 151 g |
Here is a pic with the RRS MPR-1 attached to the stock lens foot. This worked well too but, with the TC attached.
Basically I think RRS dropped the ball this one. Quite a surprise that for me, and I am an RRS fan due to their attention to detail and engineering.
I had been very happy with the RRS LCF-13 on my old 600mm. It reduced the overall height and it felt solid in the hand.
The RRS LCF-13 & specs
| Construction | 6061-T6 aluminum Type II black anodizing |
| Mounting Threads | 1 x 1/4″-20 socket 1 x 3/8″-16 socket |
| Dimensions | Height: 0.7″ / 18 mm Length: 5.6″ / 143 mm Width: 1.7″ / 44 mm |
| Weight | 6.2 oz / 176 g |
Note: One solution could be to use a lighter lens hood. Will try this with my Aquatech soft lens hood . Another option is, I can try to increase weight on the camera end by adding the L plate. I will try these combos and report back.
03 Feb 2018: No change. Tried with a cameara lens plate added as also, a soft lens hood. Still the RRS LCF-18 is sitting short on the wimberly WH-200 clamp.
RRS LCF-18 lens foot does not play well from krish photo on Vimeo.
Alternatives & solutions :
Could this shortness be due to the fact the Wimberly WH-200 gimbal has a 3-1/2″ long clamp whereas the Jobu Design BWG HD3 has a 2-7/16″ long clamp instead (I have the HD3, and believe the HD4 would have the same clamp length). The “1 cm short” would not exist if the 2-7/16″ long clamp is used?