Haoge LMR-SM140S Lens Collar Replacement - Review

Possible product review:

Haoge LMR-SM140S Lens Collar Replacement Foot Tripod Mount Ring Stand Base for Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Lens Sony E Mount Art 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Built-in Arca Type Quick Release Plate: A Solid and Versatile Accessory for Your Lens

As a photographer who loves to shoot with long telephoto lenses, I'm always looking for ways to improve the stability, balance, and flexibility of my gear, especially when using a tripod. One of the most useful accessories for a telephoto lens is a collar or mount ring, which allows you to attach the lens to a tripod head directly from the lens rather than the camera body, reducing strain on the lens mount and improving the weight distribution. While most lenses come with a stock collar, some of them are not optimally designed for certain scenarios, such as using an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod head or carrying the lens on a strap. That's where third-party products like the Haoge LMR-SM140S come in handy.

In this review, I'll share my experience with the Haoge LMR-SM140S, which is a replacement foot tripod mount ring that fits the Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Lens for Sony E mount (also compatible with the Art 105mm F1.4 DG HSM). I'll discuss its build quality, functionality, pros and cons, and overall value for money. I'll also provide some tips on how to use the LMR-SM140S with different tripod setups and shooting styles.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing I noticed about the Haoge LMR-SM140S was its solid and sleek construction. Made of high-quality anodized aluminum alloy, the mount ring feels durable and lightweight at the same time. The black matte finish matches well with the Sigma lens, and the laser-engraved markings on the collar provide a clear and precise alignment guide for attaching the lens to the ring or the tripod. The collar fits snugly and securely around the lens barrel, with a locking knob that rotates smoothly and locks firmly. The interior of the collar is coated with a soft and smooth rubber material, which protects the lens from scratches and allows for a better grip on the lens while adjusting the collar.

Functionality and Features

The main feature of the Haoge LMR-SM140S is its Arca-Swiss compatible dovetail, which allows you to mount the lens on any Arca-Swiss compatible tripod head, clamp, or panorama head directly, without the need for additional plates or adapters. This is a big advantage if you're using multiple Arca-Swiss compatible tripod systems for different lenses or cameras, as it saves you time, space, and money. I tested the LMR-SM140S with several tripod heads, including the Really Right Stuff BH-40 and BH-55 ballheads and the Gitzo GHF2W fluid head, and all of them worked flawlessly with the mount ring. The dovetail is wide enough to accommodate most Arca-Swiss plates, including those with safety-stop screws, and has two grooves that prevent the plate from twisting or sliding out of the clamp.

Another helpful feature of the Haoge LMR-SM140S is its built-in Arca-type quick release plate, which allows you to detach the lens from the tripod easily and quickly, without having to unscrew the collar or the plate separately. The plate has a standard 1/4" screw that fits most cameras and accessories, and a 3/8" adapter that can be removed with a hex key for greater compatibility. The plate is also compatible with most Arca-Swiss clamps, though it's not as precise as some of the dedicated plates from more expensive brands. Still, it's a convenient and functional solution for most shooting situations where speed and stability matter.

The Haoge LMR-SM140S also has two screw holes at the bottom of the collar, which allow you to attach the lens to a tripod directly, without the need for a separate plate or clamp. This is useful when you want to balance the lens on the tripod or reduce vibrations during long exposures. The holes are also compatible with both 1/4" and 3/8" tripod screws, giving you more flexibility and compatibility.

Pros and Cons

After using the Haoge LMR-SM140S for several weeks on various photo shoots, I can say that it's a solid and versatile accessory that enhances the performance and convenience of the Sigma lens. Here are some of the pros and cons I've found:

Pros:

- Solid and sleek construction that matches well with the lens

- Arca-Swiss compatible dovetail that works with most tripod heads and clamps

- Built-in Arca-type quick release plate that saves time and space

- Two screw holes for direct attachment to a tripod

- Reasonable price compared to other similar products

Cons:

- Only compatible with Sony E mount or L mount Sigma lenses, not Canon or Nikon mount

- Quick release plate may not fit all Arca-Swiss clamps perfectly

- No bubble level or other accessories provided

Overall Value for Money

At the time of writing this review, the Haoge LMR-SM140S has received 239 customer reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, which is quite impressive. Many of the reviewers have praised the mount ring for its solid build quality, easy installation, and compatibility with different tripod setups. Some of them have also suggested improvements such as adding a bubble level or making the quick release plate more precise. Based on my own experience and research, I think the Haoge LMR-SM140S is a great value for money product that offers a good balance of functionality, quality, and affordability. It's not the cheapest or the most sophisticated mount ring on the market, but it delivers what it promises and does it well. If you own a Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Lens for Sony E mount and want to improve your tripod shooting experience, the Haoge LMR-SM140S is definitely worth considering.

Haoge LMR-SM140S Lens Collar Replacement

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