Kirk LP-64 replacement lens foot for Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR (2016)

Kirk LP-64 replacement lens foot for Nikon 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR, precise control instead of a wobbly compromise

You often only notice it after a few long assignments: the standard lens foot on the Nikon 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR (2016) is okay, but just okay. The Kirk LP-64 addresses this directly and replaces the original foot with a significantly more stable, better thought-out lens foot that is noticeably more comfortable in real-world use and at the same time serves as a fully-fledged lens plate. You gain more stability in your images, cleaner balance on the tripod, and handling that simply feels more “right” in everyday shooting.

The LP-64 is mounted in place of the original Nikon foot and features a double-sided 38 mm dovetail profile that integrates seamlessly into modern quick-release systems. This saves you from needing an additional plate, reduces weight, and makes the overall camera-and-telephoto combination more compact. Especially if you travel a lot – by plane, by train, or simply with an overstuffed camera backpack – this small optimization makes a surprisingly big difference.

Developed specifically for this lens, precision-fit for Nikon F telephoto lenses

The Kirk LP-64 is not just some universal compromise, but is designed specifically for this lens: the Nikon 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR AF-S NIKKOR (2016). In addition, it also fits perfectly on the Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR NIKKOR. No DIY solution, no fiddling, no wobbly intermediate plate. The contact surface and the screw connection are matched so that the lens sits firmly and without play, which is worth its weight in gold, especially at longer focal lengths and longer exposure times.

With a length of 10.8 cm, a width of 5.5 cm, and a height of 3.1 cm, the replacement foot offers a stable, comfortably grippable base without appearing bulky. The profile length on the underside is also 10.8 cm, giving you enough adjustment range in the quick-release clamp to balance the center of gravity precisely. This reduces the tendency to tip, relieves the tripod head, and ensures that the lens doesn’t constantly move on its own when you tilt it.

Arca-style compatible, seamlessly integrable into your quick-release system

According to the manufacturer, the LP-64 is fully Arca-style compatible and fits standard 38 mm quick-release clamps. This means: if you already use an ARCA-compatible system, you can clamp the foot directly into your existing ARCA quick-release clamps without additional adapters or special plates. Just click it in, tighten, done.

The double dovetail design on the underside ensures that the foot sits securely and positively in the clamp. In practice, this means: less play, fewer micro-vibrations, less frustration during critical shots. Especially in sports, wildlife, or concert photography, where you quickly switch between portrait and landscape orientation or between different setups, a well-matched ARCA profile makes a noticeable difference.

With QD strap socket, switch quickly from tripod to handheld

Particularly practical is the integrated QD strap socket: yes, one is built directly into the LP-64. This lets you use a suitable carrying strap with QD anchors and switch your telephoto lens from tripod operation to shoulder or sling mode in no time, without having to re-mount or improvise every time. This way, the weight stays where it belongs – on the lens – and not on the camera mount, which already has enough to do.

To use these QD strap sockets, you need a strap with matching QD strap anchors. You can find more information about this here. In combination with the LP-64, your telephoto thus becomes a kind of “modular tool” that you can convert from a tripod solution to a portable reportage configuration in seconds, depending on the situation.

Made in the USA, robust construction from 6061-T6 aluminum

The Kirk LP-64 is made in the USA and consists of high-quality 6061-T6 aluminum. This material is also used in aircraft construction and offers a very good ratio of strength to weight. At just 80 g, the replacement foot remains pleasantly light without feeling fragile. The black anodized surface protects the metal from corrosion and wear and gives the foot a discreet, professional look that blends harmoniously with Nikon telephoto lenses.

The anodized layer is not just cosmetic; it also ensures that the foot is more resistant to scratches and minor impacts in everyday use. Especially in rough conditions – on the sidelines, in the forest, or when traveling – this is a detail you come to appreciate after a few months of intensive use. You can simply tell that the focus here was on durability rather than show effects.

Thoughtful details: safety stops, tripod threads, and more

On the underside of the LP-64 you’ll find two additional tripod threads: one 3/8" UNC and one 1/4" UNC. This allows you to mount the foot directly on a tripod, a video plate, or a special adapter if you happen to be working without an ARCA clamp or are using an older system. This flexibility is especially helpful when you’re out with mixed setups or occasionally use other mounts in the studio.

Also integrated: 2 safety stop screws. These small but important screws prevent the lens foot from accidentally sliding out of the quick-release clamp if you open the clamp a bit wider or don’t mount the camera perfectly in the heat of the moment. This is one of those unobtrusive safety mechanisms that you hopefully never “need,” but are very glad to have when it really matters.

The LP-64 is deliberately not designed as a universal solution, but is precisely matched to the specified Nikon F lenses. This means: no unnecessary cutouts, no compromise dimensions, no “it’ll probably fit somehow.” Instead, you get a solid, cleanly machined support surface that feels like a natural part of the lens.

Comfort and handling in everyday use, small foot, big effect

In practice, the lower profile of the replacement foot ensures that the lens’s center of gravity shifts slightly downward. That may sound unspectacular, but it has several advantages at once: the camera-and-telephoto combo sits more steadily on the tripod head, takes up less space in your backpack, and is easier to grip when carrying. You’ll notice this ergonomic improvement quite clearly, especially during longer sessions such as sports events or photo trips.

The shape of the foot is chosen so that you can also use it as a carrying handle when you want to briefly lift or carry the lens together with the camera. No sharp-edged metal that presses uncomfortably into your hand, but a pleasantly dimensioned surface that can be gripped securely. PMG strap sockets are deliberately not integrated in order to keep the foot slim and focused on ARCA and QD functionality.

All in all, the Kirk LP-64 replacement lens foot is a very sensible upgrade for your Nikon 70–200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR or your Nikon 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR: lighter, more stable, better balanced, and equipped with modern ARCA and QD compatibility. Not a spectacular showpiece, but rather a quiet yet extremely useful tool that works in the background so you can focus on what really matters: your image.