Let alone when I have the batery pack mounted on my 7D.A tripod collar is also handy for fast changing from landscape to portrait position and back when working on a tripod.And as a third, when shooting handheld I keep the tripod collar leaning in my hand and I can zoom in and out by just using my thumb and midlde finger, still very balanced.I do not say a tripod collar is a must, but it sure can