I recently purchased this lens and am very happy with it but had just one question for you other 70-200 owners. The lens did not come with a separate strap like my Sigma 80-400 did to help support the weight of the lens. Do you leave this lens 'hang' from your camera? (I am hesitant since it has some weight to it) If I am shooting with two cameras and have the other around my neck I am just not sure about how to best handle this. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
I have often let it hang, both with my former 10D and with my 5D. No problems to report.
For longer walks, it gets a bit heavy about the neck, so what I do is to stick the tripod mounting foot either into my waistband or into a jeans pocket, with the camera strap still over my shoulder. Takes the weight off, makes carrying it all day a breeze.
I bought a Tamrac Boomerang neoprene strap for when I actually use a strap. Lightens the load quite a bit, but tends to bounce a little bit if you're walking at a good pace.
Personally, I can't stand the Optech straps. They're way too bouncy and stretchy, and feel kind of cheaply made. 1" Domke Gripper for life here. Static, thin and predictable.
Don't worry about the lens mount, it takes a lot more than that to bend them.
I bought a Tamrac Boomerang neoprene strap for when I actually use a strap. Lightens the load quite a bit, but tends to bounce a little bit if you're walking at a good pace.
I have one of these that I like real well. Even more than the comfort aspect, I like it because I can carry extra cards in it. I'm always packing at least 6 gig of storage, sometimes more.
I have often let it hang, both with my former 10D and with my 5D. No problems to report.
For longer walks, it gets a bit heavy about the neck, so what I do is to stick the tripod mounting foot either into my waistband or into a jeans pocket, with the camera strap still over my shoulder. Takes the weight off, makes carrying it all day a breeze.
just use the tripod collar to hook around your belt or pants when not shooting, not only does it take the weight off the lens mount, but it keeps the lens and camera from flopping around banging into walls or other equipment you might be carrying at the time
I just let mine hang, quite often with another camera, often walking/jogging around a sports event holding the gear against my chest. Never been a problem on the 10D, 20D or 1D.
(And yes, all my gear looks quite 'used')
For what its worth you have to get a touch judge at a rugby match to run full-speed into the end of a lens to rip out the lens mount from a 20D. Made the rig much lighter to carry, but really made it hard to take pictures afterwards!!!
