Kirk LP-70 replacement lens foot for Nikon Z 70–200 mm f/2.8 VR S & Z 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR S

Kirk LP-70 replacement lens foot for Nikon Z, precise control instead of shaky compromises

If you want to keep serious control over your Nikon Z telephoto zoom, there’s hardly any way around the Kirk LP-70 replacement lens foot. This lens foot replaces the original Nikon foot on your Z telephoto lens and turns it into a stable, well‑thought‑out base with an integrated 38 mm dovetail quick‑release profile. You mount the LP-70 in place of the standard foot and at the same time get a fully fledged lens plate that can be inserted directly into compatible quick‑release clamps and also offers space for accessories such as flash brackets with 38 mm clamp.

The LP-70 is specifically designed for high stability, clean balance and reliable handling. Weighing only 99 g, with a length of 10.87 cm, a width of 3.8 cm and a height of 3.11 cm, your setup remains pleasantly light without sacrificing robustness. The width including the locking knob is 5.6 cm, which in practice provides a secure yet still easy‑to‑grip shape.

Developed specifically for the following lenses, custom‑fit for Nikon Z telephotos

The Kirk LP-70 lens foot is specifically designed for the following lenses from the Nikon Z system and matched to their barrel shape. It replaces the original lens foot and ensures an optimized center of gravity on the tripod, especially with longer focal lengths and heavier bodies:

• Nikon Z 70–200 mm f/2.8 VR S (2020)
• Nikon Z 100–400 mm f/4.5–5.6 VR S NIKKOR (2021)
• Nikon Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S NIKKOR (2022)
• Nikon Z 600 mm f/6.3 VR S NIKKOR (2023)

With these telephoto lenses in particular, a well‑designed replacement foot makes a noticeable difference. The combination of precise fit and integrated quick‑release plate reduces vibrations, makes it easier to balance on gimbal or video heads, and ensures that you can concentrate on your subject when shooting, not on wobbly hardware.

It’s also practical that the lens hood can remain mounted in the transport position. So you don’t have to constantly reconfigure things when the lens goes into the backpack or comes out again. That may sound like a small detail, but in everyday use it saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

Made in the USA, precision‑machined from 6061‑T6 aluminum

The LP-70 is made in the USA and machined from high‑quality 6061‑T6 aluminum. In the photo world this material is practically a classic because it offers a very good ratio of weight, rigidity and durability. The surface is either satin‑silver anodized or black anodized, each with a hard‑wearing coating that significantly reduces scratches and abrasion in normal use.

On the underside you’ll find two photo threads: one 3/8" UNC and one 1/4" UNC. This allows you, if necessary, to screw the foot directly onto a tripod head or quick‑release plate if you are exceptionally working without an Arca‑style compatible clamp or are using a special setup. The two safety stop screws on the underside prevent accidental slipping out of the quick‑release clamp when you use the foot in a matching clamp.

With QD strap socket, quickly from tripod to hand

The Kirk LP-70 features a QD strap socket, more precisely a QD‑compatible socket into which you can clip a suitable strap with QD strap anchors. This lets you switch in seconds from tripod use to carrying the setup over your shoulder or across your back. This is extremely practical, especially over longer distances in the field or when changing locations quickly.

To use these QD strap sockets you need a suitable strap with QD strap anchors. You can find more information about this here.

By integrating the QD socket directly into the lens foot, your camera strap remains where the weight actually sits, namely on the lens. This relieves the mount and provides a noticeably more comfortable carrying experience, especially with the longer Nikon Z telephoto lenses such as the Z 400 mm f/4.5 VR S or the Z 600 mm f/6.3 VR S.

Arca‑style compatible, clamp directly and start shooting

The integrated 38 mm dovetail makes the LP-70 Arca‑style compatible. This means you can insert the foot directly into a wide range of 38 mm quick‑release clamps without an additional lens plate. According to the manufacturer, the clamp profile fits:

• ProMediaGear clamps
• Wimberley clamps
• Arca‑style compatible 38 mm quick‑release clamps
• Really Right Stuff screw clamps
• Really Right Stuff lever clamps
• Jobu Design clamps
• Acratech lever clamps
• Acratech screw clamps
• Markins clamps
• Kirk clamps
• FlexShooter screw cross‑clamp

So if you already use a system built around ARCA compatibility, you can simply integrate the LP-70 seamlessly. No adapter, no extra plate, no unnecessary build‑up. For more information on Arca‑style compatible systems in our range you can check here.

In practice this means: place the lens on the head, close the clamp, done. Especially in fast‑changing situations such as sports, wildlife or reportage, this direct compatibility makes a noticeable difference because you spend less time screwing and more time shooting.

Stable base for Nikon Z 70–200 mm f/2.8 VR S & Z 100–400 mm f/4.5–5.6 VR S

The LP-70 was developed as a replacement lens foot for the Nikon Z 70–200 mm f/2.8 VR S and Nikon Z 100–400 mm f/4.5–5.6 VR S NIKKOR and at the same time serves as a lens plate with integrated 38 mm dovetail quick‑release profile. The dovetail profile also allows you to attach additional accessories such as flash brackets with 38 mm clamp without having to mount another plate.

Especially with the Nikon Z 70–200 mm f/2.8 VR S, which is often used for sports, events or weddings, the LP-70 provides a stable, well‑balanced support on the tripod head. With the Nikon Z 100–400 mm f/4.5–5.6 VR S NIKKOR, which is frequently used in wildlife and nature photography, you benefit from the improved handling and the ability to switch quickly between tripod and hand‑held use.

The two safety stop screws on the underside are an important detail. They prevent accidental slipping out of the quick‑release clamp when the clamp is not fully opened. This gives you an additional safety net in case you don’t work quite cleanly in the heat of the moment or the head is slightly tilted.

Thought‑out details for everyday use, from lens hood to threaded socket

At first glance a lens foot looks like a simple part. In practice, however, it’s the details that make the difference. With the Kirk LP-70 you can leave the lens hood mounted in the transport position while the foot remains on the lens. This makes it easier to stow in a backpack and prevents you from constantly switching between transport and working configuration.

The combination of 1 x 3/8" UNC photo thread and 1 x 1/4" UNC photo thread on the underside opens up additional options when you work with special heads, sliders or older tripods that are not based on Arca‑style. This keeps the LP-70 flexible even if your setup is a bit mixed.

Overall, the Kirk LP-70 replacement lens foot is a stable, practice‑oriented solution for Nikon Z telephoto lenses that convinces both in the studio and out in the field. It combines a precise fit with Arca‑style compatibility, QD strap socket, safety stop screws and a robust anodized 6061‑T6 aluminum surface. If you use your Nikon Z telephoto lenses seriously and value a reliable, clean tripod connection, this foot is a very worthwhile upgrade over the standard part.