DA* 300mm tripod mount

Whilst the lens is great does anybody else find the tripod mount poorly designed. The mount is very close to the body so you can't get your hand between it and the lens. This makes it difficult to hold and I am always fearful of dropping it. There is also no way of attaching a carry strap to it. I have got used to the excellent design of the Sigma 150-500 which even has finger grips on the mount.

I got a long Arca-Swiss QR plate - 150mm - and attached it to the tripod foot. This acts as a great palm rest helping stability and I used it this way most of the summer.
Even when using manual focus I can still rotate the focus ring with my fingers / thumb either side of the lens, and I have small hands. There is enough room to get my fingers underneath. For someone with larger hands, perhaps some sort of spacer brtween the tripod foot amd QR plate would assist in widening the gap a bit.

I also have a Black Rapid strap which I attach to the bottom of the Tripod foot with the long QR plate removed.

Thanks for the suggestion. I wonder if a pistol grip on the tripod mount might work.

I keep toying with the idea of the BushHawk shoulder stock system for added stability, but always hold back due to the prospect of finding myself on the receiving end of an armed response unit!
Always struck me as a very good system and can be fitted with a remote cord as well to use the trigger on the grip.

One day I might treat myself.