Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

This question is mainly to MT. Shooter.
I would like your opinion or experience if any with this product. I will not be using it a lot or with big lens probably 300L lens and and a 1.4III. It is rated at 30 lbs and that should be sufficient for my needs even if I cut that in half.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

"Ratings" mean nothing as there is no accepted standard to compare them by. The Opteka GH1 is a re-badged Beike BK-45 head with no changes at all other than the name plate. The Beike original is rated at 15 pounds which I have found to be extremely liberal. I like the Beike/Opteka for the 150-500mm Sigma lenses at it works quite well with them, but heavier lenses over-tax its capability and will allow the head to quiver in the wind, especially if the tripod itself is not up to the task. I would rate both as honest 12 pound heads, and nothing more than that. (That's a 6 pound safe load rating)
The Beike original is available for $30-$40 less than the re-badged Opteka and for this reason I never recommend anyone buying the Opteka name as it gives you nothing at all for the price increase.
I do have 2 of the Beikes in my rental inventory mounted on Bogen/Manfrotto 3246 tripods and they are very good within that load range. For heavier lenses I rent the Wimberley WH-200. I am currently working with Nest in developing a 26 pound rated Carbon Fiber Gimbal head (weighing under 3 pounds) with a list price of $299 and a street price of about $265, but it won't be available in the USA directly until May or June of 2014. So far my field testing is extremely favorable and I have shot the Sigma 800mm F5.6 on it with excellent results. Right now it has a proprietary ARCA QR system on it but the factory is making me a fully ARCA compatible model expected to arrive in early March. I will be a stocking dealer for both models when sales stocks become available and will be using them alongside the Wimberleys in my rental inventory.
So, if your 300mm L lens is the F2.8, I would not use the Opteka. If its the F4 model, the Opteka should handle it well. In the end its entirely your choice to make. Good luck.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Thanks for the info and reply. I have the 300 f/4 so that should not be a problem.