I wouldn't expect his combo to be a stable and good performer with that setup. He is shooting with the Pentax medium format body 645D + 600mm lens. And using the RRS BH-40 head.
Lars Johnsson wrote:
I wouldn't expect his combo to be a stable and good performer with that setup. He is shooting with the Pentax medium format body 645D + 600mm lens. And using the RRS BH-40 head.
Yeah, and I wonder what tripod he's using.
I studied mechanics of materials for 4 years. Comparing a camera lens to a solid bar held out of a car window is apples/oranges. Although we might think lenses are heavy, they really aren't. And considering the diameter of the lens bodies and that they are supported near the center of gravity, there would be very, very little flex.
Mar 01, 2011 at 03:43 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
I just bought myself a new long lens support "toy"
Since the Gitzo Systematic Ballhead came out I have been very interested in trying out one. But not many shops have it where I live. Today in Bangkok they had a sale on Gitzo & Manfrotto demo ex. With a discount of 25-35% on most things. I got such a good deal on the Gitzo Systematic GH 5380SQR head so I couldn't resist to buy it. $ 275 just because it has been on the shelf for a while. Not bad when B&H charge $ 450 for it. It looks really strong and has a very low profile. I don't have any really big lenses here. But I will try it with my 200/2 IS tomorrow. http://www.gitzo.com/product_list/72038.71852.82454.0.0/systematic_ball_heads
Mike Pearson wrote:
Not me! I don't think it would make any measurable difference. I just didn't much like folks jumping on hiker99 as if there were no basis to his statement.
Fair enough...felt more like discussion to me, part of which was questioning the need, more than jumping on the OP. But can see your point too. No offense meant to others.
Lars Johnsson wrote:
I wouldn't expect his combo to be a stable and good performer with that setup. He is shooting with the Pentax medium format body 645D + 600mm lens. And using the RRS BH-40 head.
I'm just surprised at the apparent improvement from the RRS lens support. If his reported observations are correct, it would appear the support actually makes a difference. Given that the same tripod, head, camera and lens were used, the only variable is presence or lack of that support. The weaknesses of the tripod and head are present in both pictures, but the use of the lens support appears to have improved stability and as a result the picture.
That is not to say that use of more appropriate equipment wouldn't negate the need for a lens support, or that the improvement is due to added rigidity between the head and the lens rather than added rigidity between the camera and the lens, but I didn't expect enough vibration to be induced in either subsystem to make an observable difference.
rprouty wrote:
The question was does anyone know of any other manufacturers. No where did I indicate any interest in opinions or merits of the supports.
I just posted a link to the Gitzo Systematic head for long lens support
Are you really saying the people posting links to other long lens support options, are not allowed to post opinions on those supports
You guys crack me up. I was just trying to give the OP a little advice based on real world experience since I own both a 600mm lens and the RRS long lens support. It sounds like none of you guys own both pieces of equipment yet feel qualified to suggest that the equipment I am using is some how defective.
I think Mike summed it up well. Is the flex of the system large? No, not really. It probably has the same magnitude of effect as mirror slap, but it is still there. The easiest way to stiffen a structure supported at a single point is to add one more support point, which is what the RRS system does. If others don't notice this effect when shooting with their long lenses that's fine. Just don't assume it goes unnoticed by everyone.
If I understand what you want, it is essentially picture 8 on that page with another Y support at the camera end of the rail. He might put one there for you.
hiker99 wrote:
You guys crack me up. I was just trying to give the OP a little advice based on real world experience since I own both a 600mm lens and the RRS long lens support. It sounds like none of you guys own both pieces of equipment yet feel qualified to suggest that the equipment I am using is some how defective.
I think Mike summed it up well. Is the flex of the system large? No, not really. It probably has the same magnitude of effect as mirror slap, but it is still there. The easiest way to stiffen a structure supported at a single point is to add one more support point, which is what the RRS system does. If others don't notice this effect when shooting with their long lenses that's fine. Just don't assume it goes unnoticed by everyone. ...Show more →
It also depends on what ballhead/tripod you use of course. And the only pics we have seen is with a RRS BH-40. And that's not a ballhead to recommend with the lenses/bodies we are talking about.
And you don't have to own every small ballhead to know that they are not so good for the 600m lens either But I actually own the BH-40
Or, you could get the pieces from RRS and make it yourself. You need the bar, bar end connector, a couple of Y supports and a double sided clamp for the collar foot.
If I understand what you want, it is essentially picture 8 on that page with another Y support at the camera end of the rail. He might put one there for you.
Got one for my Canon 600MM F4 IS this summer. I am shocked at the improvements in the number of keepers. Shooting from a heavy carbon Gitzo, Wimberley gimble, and a cable release. After firing about 15,000 shots down range I estimate that keepers have conservatively improved by 30%. Shooting single frame, stopped down, high shutter speeds, improvements are probably minimal if any. Shooting wide open, low shutter speeds (down to 1/15 - that's right 1/15th with a 600mm with 1.4 extender) bursts from my 7d yield remarkable improvements. If you have that requirement, then this is a must have.
Shooting sustained continuous bursts generates vibrations that seem to put my heavy rig into a very slight shake no matter how I have tightened things down. Add the RRS Long Lens Support and the results are nothing short of remarkable. The transmission of the vibrations down the lens barrel are dramatically reduced. I have had the 600mm for 6 years and have used every technique/support and have never gotten results this good. Case closed.
If I understand what you want, it is essentially picture 8 on that page with another Y support at the camera end of the rail. He might put one there for you.
