I am not familiar with this particular lens, but if you look on the focus ring, do you find a grub screw? This may have been use to set and lock the focus distance. If you find one, just unscrew it slightly and move the focus ring, not holding the focus scale, as this may move, and you've now changed the placement of the focus distance markings instead.
The 17-85/1:1.8 should be for 16mm cameras.
Sure, it's possible to mount a tripod collar on the lens, but you'll have to find one or make one yourself. Depending on your camera, a base plate, rods and lens support is another way to rig it.