Long Lens Support

[PeterA]

Calling all Long lens support guru's out there. I am looking to counter the vibration at the front end of the long lens.


I have seen thishttp://reallyrightstuff.com/rrs/Customkititems.asp?kc=CB-YS-QR-Pkg&eq=CB-YS-QR-Pkg-001 RRS rail. A bit pricey!

I also see that manfrotto do a similar item the 293 telephoto lens support, which appears to be a lot cheaper.

Has anyone used either, and know what the pros/cons maybe between the two?

Also, I own the manfrotto 393 long lens bracket plus the 359 lens support so is there anyone who has used this rail / 293 support with these to know if they are compatible?

Thanks in advance

Pete

 

[HoppyUK]

If you've already got a 393, then presumably your lens has a tripod collar, and these brackets won't do much for you.

And if you want to kill vibration, the 359 support strut is the best way. And you've already got that too

What exactly are you trying to do, and with what equipment?

 

[PeterA]

If you've already got a 393, then presumably your lens has a tripod collar, and these brackets won't do much for you.

And if you want to kill vibration, the 359 support strut is the best way. And you've already got that too

What exactly are you trying to do, and with what equipment?

I have the old Olympus OM 1000mm F11 lens, which is a big old beast and I am trying to minimise the vibration as much as possible. The 359 strut attaches to the camera body so limiting vibration there.

The tripod collar sits in the middle section of the lens and so with the 393 there is good support there. The lens end section is long and was wondering if there was a way to support this end by using a rail.

Looking at the 293 it may not be good enough. Length of lens is 662mm and this would appear to long as the 293 is adjustable from 200-295mm.

Does any long lens guru out there have a similar length lens and uses a rail or some other set up to support the front lens?

 

[grumpybadger]

If it is windy, I just weigh the end of the lens with a beanbag to dampen vibrations

 

[HoppyUK]

For long lens stability you need to balance the outfit obviously, and if haven't got that you should be able to do it with a long lens plate on the tripod collar. Lots of those about.

After that, the best way by far is to support the camera with the Manfrotto tripod strut you already have.

You mention vibration, so thinking a bit laterally here, maybe you would be better off supporting the lens on a beanbag rested on the Manfrotto gimbal, instead of bolted directly to it. With the Manfrotto strut. There's a guy called Dean in the advertsiers section here who sells excellent beanbags. His wife makes them, and I think he might do you a custom one if you ask nicely

Edit: crossed post with GB - good idea, esp a heavier beanbag.

 

[PeterA]

For long lens stability you need to balance the outfit obviously, and if haven't got that you should be able to do it with a long lens plate on the tripod collar. Lots of those about.

Edit: crossed post with GB - good idea, esp a heavier beanbag.

Hmmm a long lens plate, do you have any examples?

Good idea on the beanbag.

Looks like no one uses the RRS rail then

 

[HoppyUK]

Hmmm a long lens plate, do you have any examples?

Good idea on the beanbag.

Looks like no one uses the RRS rail then

Does your lens have a collar with a foot for attaching to a tripod? In which case, you should be able to attach an Arca-Swiss compatible plate to it and you slide that along an Arca-Swiss tripod head clamp to obtain perfect balance. Arca-Swiss is the universal dovetail clamp and plate system used on just about all top end camera supports.

If you don't have a fitting like that, then the Manfrotto device is designed for lenses that don't have a regular lens collar and foot as standard.

That RRS support you linked to is designed to provide additional support for one or two huge and very front heavy lenses. It doesn't seem to be approriate to your Oly 1000.

 

[PeterA]

Does your lens have a collar with a foot for attaching to a tripod? In which case, you should be able to attach an Arca-Swiss compatible plate to it and you slide that along an Arca-Swiss tripod head clamp to obtain perfect balance. Arca-Swiss is the universal dovetail clamp and plate system used on just about all top end camera supports.

If you don't have a fitting like that, then the Manfrotto device is designed for lenses that don't have a regular lens collar and foot as standard.

That RRS support you linked to is designed to provide additional support for one or two huge and very front heavy lenses. It doesn't seem to be approriate to your Oly 1000.

Thanks again.

My Oly 1000 does have a tripod collar, and the Manfrotto 393 came with a long plate which you slide to find the balance point. Maybe this is already doing what an Arca-Swiss plate & clamp would do. I need to take a look at the Arca-Swiss stuff in more depth. Any ideas of good & reasonable place to go for them?

Looks like I need to try the bean bag approach before buying anything more expensive like the RRS rail. Might spend money on something that doesnt provide any great benefit.

I also seen quoted that you should not use a cable release (which I do now) with the Oly 1000 when on a tripod, saying use the ball of your finger instead. Not sure what the reasoning behind that is, but again worth more trials.

 

[HoppyUK]

Thanks again.

My Oly 1000 does have a tripod collar, and the Manfrotto 393 came with a long plate which you slide to find the balance point. Maybe this is already doing what an Arca-Swiss plate & clamp would do. I need to take a look at the Arca-Swiss stuff in more depth. Any ideas of good & reasonable place to go for them?

Looks like I need to try the bean bag approach before buying anything more expensive like the RRS rail. Might spend money on something that doesnt provide any great benefit.

I also seen quoted that you should not use a cable release (which I do now) with the Oly 1000 when on a tripod, saying use the ball of your finger instead. Not sure what the reasoning behind that is, but again worth more trials.

If you already have balance, then I don't see the point in getting any more hardware. Plus you also have the Manfrotto strut, which is about as good as it gets in terms of support.

For vibration, I think the suggestion of a weighty bean bag on top of the lens, or maybe under, and/or a gently rested hand on top. This is a popular pro technique, if you have a steady hand - it's weight that kills vibration. Plus mirror-up and a cable release should be favourite.

 

[PeterA]

If you already have balance, then I don't see the point in getting any more hardware. Plus you also have the Manfrotto strut, which is about as good as it gets in terms of support.

For vibration, I think the suggestion of a weighty bean bag on top of the lens, or maybe under, and/or a gently rested hand on top. This is a popular pro technique, if you have a steady hand - it's weight that kills vibration. Plus mirror-up and a cable release should be favourite.

Thanks for your comments and will look to a heavy bean bag next. Heres to sharp shots!

If anyone uses the RRS rail would be interested to know their experiences.

 

[HoppyUK]

Thanks for your comments and will look to a heavy bean bag next. Heres to sharp shots!

If anyone uses the RRS rail would be interested to know their experiences.

This is where image stabilisation is worth its weight in gold

 

[PeterA]

This is where image stabilisation is worth its weight in gold

You may be right, although I would not know as I still use the manual Olympus set up. Invested too much in lens gear to justify moving yet.

The other big thing that would make a huge difference is auto focus.