What do Canon tripod mount ring types A, B, C, and D mean?

Asked 9/22/2010

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Canon tripod collar/ring accessories are labeled with letters like A, B, C, and D. What do these type designations actually indicate, and how do they differ? Is the letter related to lens compatibility, ring size, or some other feature?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

15y ago

2 Answers

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The different types are:

  • Tripod Mount Ring A (W) or A II (W) [hinge] for 70-200mm f/4 L (for both IS & non-IS versions), 300mm f/4 L, 400mm f/5.6 L,
  • Tripod Mount Ring A (B) or A II (B)[hinge] for 200mm f/2.8 L, 200mm f/2.8 L II, 80-200mm 2.8 L
  • Tripod Mount Ring B (W) [no hinge] for 70-200mm f/2.8 L (IS, non-IS, IS II), 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 L, 300mm f/4 L IS
  • Tripod Mount Ring B (B) [no hinge*] for 100mm f/2.8 Macro, 180mm f/3.5 L Macro & MP-E 65mm f/2.8 Macro
  • Tripod Mount Ring C (W) [hinge] for for 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 L IS
  • Tripod Mount Ring D [hinge] for 100mm F2.8 L IS Macro Lens

The interior ring dimension for each are (note well they do not go "in order"):

  • Tripod Mount Ring A 65-66mm
  • Tripod Mount Ring B 78mm
  • Tripod Mount Ring C 82mm
  • Tripod Mount Ring D 68-72mm

Most have (B) and (W) markings on them, meaning Black and White respectively. A and A II are interchangeable.

Most Canon rings have a hinge that allows the collar to be removed without dismounting the lens. Only Canon "B" rings do not have a hinge and do require the lens to be dismounted to remove the ring. 3rd party rings come in both hinged and hinge-less designs. Some users prefer the hinge-less version for ease of use when using the lens collar to transition from landscape to portrait orientation. Other users prefer the ability provided by the hinge to add/remove the collar without dismounting the lens.

Lenses that use the Tripod Mount Ring B (W) have lugs that fit inside a grove in the lens collar. The collar also has slots to allow clearance for the lugs when the collar is removed.

*The Tripod Mount Ring B (B) pictured at Canon's online store appears to have a hinge. This is in fact an incorrect picture of a 3rd party Tripod Mount Ring. (you can read "for Canon" on the mount) The Tripod Mount Ring B (B) pictured at B&H is clearly marked correctly and is not hinged and does include the slots and groove for the lugs on the lenses that include the Tripod Mount Ring B (W) as standard equipment. The only lens that uses the Tripod Mount Ring B (B) not supplied with the collar as standard equipment is the EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (non-L) which does not have lugs that fit in the slots and groove. There is a plastic adapter included with the B(B) ring that fits the EF100mm 2.8 USM Macro lens for use with the B(B) ring.

Originally by user75. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user75

15y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Canon’s tripod mount ring letters mainly identify different collar designs and sizes for specific lenses—they are not a simple ranking by strength. The type determines which lenses the ring fits, and the rings also differ in inner diameter and construction.

From the community info:

  • type a / a ii: about 65–66mm inner diameter
  • type b: about 78mm inner diameter
  • type c: about 82mm inner diameter
  • type d: used for the EF 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro

They’re also split by color and design details:

  • (w) = white lenses
  • (b) = black lenses
  • some versions are hinged, others are not

Examples mentioned:

  • type a / a ii: 70-200mm f/4L, 300mm f/4L, 400mm f/5.6L
  • type b: 70-200mm f/2.8L, 100-400mm L, some macro lenses
  • type c: 70-300mm L, 28-300mm L
  • type d: 100mm f/2.8L IS Macro

So in practice, the letter is a Canon compatibility code for a particular tripod collar size/design used by certain lenses. The safest way to choose one is by your exact lens model, not by assuming all A, B, C, or D rings are interchangeable.

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