Heavy lens on Camera mount

[chaosboi]

This might be a silly question....but luck me purchase a new Canon EOD 60D camera with some lens today.

One of the lenses I purchased is the 70mm-200mm f/2.8L lens, I have never owned a lens of this weight, so my silly question is, is the camera mount ok to hold this weight, or should I be holding the lens and not holding the camera?

[RichardTaylor]

You will find it a lot easier to use by supporting the lens with one hand.

[chaosboi]

Thanks for the reply, but I'm not worried about comfort I'm more concerned if the lens mount can handle the weight if just holding the camera?

[RichardTaylor]

I have used a 100-400 (which has a similar weight) for at least the last 3 years and havn't had any problems.
The only time I may hold just the body is when I am taking the lens+camera out of the camera bag. I do sling the camera+lens over my shoulder, with the neck strap, when I am using a second body.

[chaosboi]

Thanks, a bit more peace of mind now.

[OsmosisStudios]

When you're carrying it around, hold the setup by the tripod foot on the lens: thats where you'd mount a tripod, so it makes sense to carry it that way. I've never had a problem with that.

[ravncat]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

When you're carrying it around, hold the setup by the tripod foot on the lens: thats where you'd mount a tripod, so it makes sense to carry it that way. I've never had a problem with that.

Right on.

Always support the lens when the lens is heavy - especially a lens as the 70-200. the camera mounts can "flex" or be damaged with too much weight. Some (cheaper) models have more of a problem with this than the pro models, but it's always better to be safe and take stress off the mount where you can.

[inkista]

Even if you're not using a heavy telephoto zoom, you should still be holding the camera with your left hand cradling the lens from beneath. Don't hold the camera by the sides, or put your left hand on the top of the lens. I see newbies doing this ALL the time. It's a pet peeve of mine.

[Tzetsin]

the 60D EF mount is absolutely secure enough to handle the weight of the 70-200mm zoom. I've got the same setup and its hung off my strap for a long time now, up and down mountains, across oceans, through city streets... no noticeable wear on the mount at all.

[ravncat]

Originally Posted by Tzetsin

the 60D EF mount is absolutely secure enough to handle the weight of the 70-200mm zoom. I've got the same setup and its hung off my strap for a long time now, up and down mountains, across oceans, through city streets... no noticeable wear on the mount at all.

Sometimes the wear is not noticeable. Flexing in the mount is often small and not noticeable, until you look closely at your pictures - you'll begin to find your images not as sharp as they used to be as the angle of the lens changes slightly to the sensor. Some slight warping may occur over time with continued heavy weights dangling from the front of a camera.

less common, but possible, is a warped mount - then you've got much larger problems. This is unlikely to happen on most "upper" camera bodies without some serious weight hanging off the front.

While your 60D mount may appear fine and be "secure enough" to handle the weight of the 70-200 - I hope you're still shooting it with one hand under the lens . Also even though there's been no noticeable wear - it's kindof a cumulative thing - Keep treating it that way, and you may notice signs - of course it depends on the body, construction and materials - and the time will be different, you may of course end up with a new body first. The 70-200 tends to be about the weight where you want to start caring - heavier, and longer lenses tend to be more of a concern. The Nikon 70-200 is heavy enough to warp the d70 mount if treated that way. (of course the 60d has a much stronger mount )