Well, the only picture I have of Canon is of me (the body is Canon, the lens is an imposter!) I know, I know. It's shameless.... Taken by an AP photog I was with (I have permission to use it, so it's not a problem posting)
Terry, the extra support under the camera is interesting. I am not familiar with this one. I looks like it would be very awkward to use (little ability to move the camera around), but it also looks like it can help steady the camera. What is it?
You've got four lenses on a telescopic fork mount in the back of a pickup truck,
attached to what must be CCD cameras, possibly feeding back to the observatory
in the background. And the whole thing looks as though designed by the
Skunk Works for Black Project photo-stealth, right down to the truck.
I just gotta say: cool. That and the Christmas tree guy.
BrianP wrote:
Terry, the extra support under the camera is interesting. I am not familiar with this one. I looks like it would be very awkward to use (little ability to move the camera around), but it also looks like it can help steady the camera. What is it?
While it certainly does limit movement, it is perhaps not quite so bad as you might think in that regard. It is rather cleverly designed with gimbals, clamps and expandable rods.
Other manufacturers, Kirk specifically, made a similar "forth leg" years ago, at a much greater cost. They dropped it.
I find it very useful for bird "portraits." Obviously "in flight" work is not done with it. :>))
BrianP wrote:
Thanks Terry. It is interesting. I guess it somewhat moves (telescopes) with you then you lock it down?
Yes, the rod slides in a sleeve that has a lock knob. It really works very well. After I was unable to buy one from Kirk because they discontinued it, I actually tried to cobble one together on my own using hardware store available items . . . with mixed success at best.
Considering the prices charged for most photo gear, I think Manfrotto is giving us a bargain with this thing. One of my better purchases.
Re: Manfrotto telescoping brace - funny, I just ordered one today from B&H as well. It was mentioned in Luminous Landscape Video Issue #4, which I just reviewed because I have a large telephoto coming on Wednesday.
