Wimberley P-35 plate

My Choice for the Sony 200-600: the Wimberley P-35 Lens Plate 

Because I hand hold this lens most of the time, I want to be able to remove the lens foot with the plate attached to save weight when I am working without a tripod. If there is a chance that I will be using the Panning Ground Pod, I will stick the foot/plate combo into a pocket, my vest, or my fanny pack so that I can grab it when needed.  

Mounting the foot/plate combo onto the lens via the quick release mechanism is a snap. Many folks complain that this arrangement is unsafe, unstable, and insecure. I disagree, but only 100%. If you finger-tighten the double-ended lever properly, you are good to go and will never have a problem.  

The P-35 is a 5.0” long, double dovetail, Arca-Swiss style quick- release plate. It is used to connect a camera lens, fitted with both a rotation collar and tripod mounting foot, to a compatible quick-release clamp. Wimberley plates are compatible with most Arca-Swiss style quick-release clamps, such as those made by Wimberley, Really Right Stuff, Kirk Enterprises, Markins, Arca-Swiss, Foba, Graf and others.  

When the plate is mounted fully forward as shown in the diagram above, this two-screw lens plate matches up perfectly with the Sony 200-600. The needed bushing is included. The plate remains fully within the jaws of the clamp of the Levered-clamp Flexshooter Pro even when your rig is at maximum back-heaviedness (to coin a phrase). You are at maximum back-heaviedness when you are using an a1 body with the battery grip and the 2X TC. With all other combinations, you will need to move the plate back in the clamp to properly balance your rig. And there is plenty of room forward even when you are using only an a1 on the 200-600.

Note: Wimberley lens plates are compatible with Arca-Swiss style quick-release clamps such as those made by Wimberley, Kirk Enterprises, Really Right Stuff, Arca-Swiss, Markins, and others. I use the Wimberley P-20 Plate on my Sony 100-400, the Sony 70-200, and my Canon 180mm macro lens and recommend it for most intermediate and zoom telephoto lenses.