This collar plate when properly attached is exactly what is needed to balance a larger lens (in my case 70-200) and camera body (1DX) safely on on the spider belt. The gear is balanced and feels secure on my hip. I tried the attachment that goes on the bottom of the camera body once with this particular set up and I abandoned that immediately. Aside from the gear swinging awkwardly I was not comfortable with the stress on the attachment point of the lens to the bayonet of the camera body.
This is not really an issue with smaller lenses and bodies. I never really thought about it with the weight of smaller pro gear I use in the studio where my camera is always on my spider belt.
I don’t go out in the field without my spider belt now that I have this new plate for the 70-200. When shooting sports I now have a secure and easier way to carry 2 or three cameras with me. With a 1Dx and 300 mm lens on a monopod i no longer have to worry about the 70-200 set up swinging awkwardly from my shoulder going up and down the sidelines. The collar plate allows me to kneel down and not worry the lens hood will crash into the ground.
The added genius of the plate being ARCA compatible there is no need to remove it ever.
It’s all about the balance and this does the job.
Whoever came up with the built in holder for the Allen key deserves a raise! Love it on the original and spreading the love here!
