Shooting vertical with support on collar-less lenses: Shooting vertical and using a support with collar-less lenses is somewhat of a challenge. For me, not only just being able to do...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Shooting vertical and using a support with collar-less lenses is somewhat of a challenge. For me, not only just being able to do this - but doing it fast is also a concern. Lenses that especially need support and are without a collar include macro lenses in ALL focal lengths and any tele (zoom) lens able to go to 200mm or longer.

So I thought I would share what I have been using of late.

The first photo shows a 2 inch wide 1/4 thick aluminum plate that I have mounted to the camera tripod socket. This plate must be short enough as to not conflict with any other lenses that DO have a tripod collar. Under the lens mount, I have drilled and tapped a 1/4-20 hole to accept the screw for mounting my quick release plate.

The second photo shows the camera and QR mounted to a Manfro #234 tilt head and the 234 mounted on top of my #222 grip action head on my tripod. The #234 is turned to enable the vertical orientation.

The third photo show the camera mounted to the #234 and the 234 mounted to a macro slider and the macro slider mounted to the #222 grip action head. In this way I can shoot vertical macros rapidly.

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Bill_de Loc: US

Have you seen the "L" brackets. A bit pricey, but when you go from landscape to portrait the lens stays in the same position. I've been using them for years in Arca Swiss style.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=838181&gclid=CPun9YXh_coCFQNkhgodZfcLDg&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&A=details&Q=

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Bill_de wrote:

Have you seen the "L" brackets. A bit pricey, but when you go from landscape to portrait the lens stays in the same position. I've been using them for years in Arca Swiss style.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=838181&gclid=CPun9YXh_coCFQNkhgodZfcLDg&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&A=details&Q=

Yes, I have - pricey and a bit SLOW to use - and not transferable - and I do not use arca/swiss.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Bill_de wrote:

Have you seen the "L" brackets. A bit pricey, but when you go from landscape to portrait the lens stays in the same position. I've been using them for years in Arca Swiss style.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=838181&gclid=CPun9YXh_coCFQNkhgodZfcLDg&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&A=details&Q=

:thumbup:

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

imagemeister wrote:

Shooting vertical and using a support with collar-... (show quote)

It's seems like a lot of effort to engineer and build a system to circumvent using arca swiss standard plates and clamps.

My concern is the fact that the camera is cantilevered off the side of a tall, relatively unstable stack of support devices - a monopod swivel, attached to a pistol grip. I have to think that having the support vertically in line with the center of gravity is more stable than a cantilever.

I find the combination of a big ball head to be far superior and super fast handling - a twist of the clamp screw, slide the camera out, reorient it and slide it back in - viola! Takes all of 4 seconds.

Benro clamps, while universal in design, seem to work well with Nikon cameras - the bolt is a tiny bit too long, but a neoprene washer makes it tight. There are two basic versions - one with pads on the bottom and the other with a small lip - the pads do come off over time, making the lip version the one to get. You find them for around $20 on eBay. They are not as nice as the premium ones and they are machined from two pieces of metal unlike the more expensive versions. A small dab of loctite keeps everything together. I've had mine for 5 yrs - no issues whatsoever.

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Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

I like Gene51 have concerns about the camera being mis-aligned on vertical. For me I use battery grips on the camera bodies so I have controls available for off-hand shooting. When on a platform the grip compounds that off centered balance with out using an "l" bracket.

It is true that great "L" brackets are model specific and are pricey. I have found used ones at times. I like the Arca-Swiss clamps. Ii think that it's a great system. I like the system that I have now.

J. R.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Gifted One wrote:

I like Gene51 have concerns about the camera being... (show quote)

The other concern is how the aluminum plate attaches to the camera - it looks like a large neoprene washer - which easily slip without a mechanical stop to keep it from happening.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, I was expecting this to be picked apart by nay-sayers ! If you are NOT on arca/swiss - and especially if you use Manfro heads/QR's, this IS one of several viable solutions I have tried - though it is working well for me - your mileage may vary.

I recommend the Chinese "King Joy" version of the Manfro #234 - IMO, better and cheaper as seen here - http://www.ebay.com/itm/291516411648?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The other handy part to this is a Manfro QR type female receiver as seen here - http://www.ebay.com/itm/261848085540?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

imagemeister wrote:

Yes, I was expecting this to be picked apart by nay-sayers ! If you are NOT on arca/swiss - and especially if you use Manfro heads/QR's, this IS one of several viable solutions I have tried - though it is working well for me - your mileage may vary.

Obviously this rig would be less than steady standing alone on a tripod with a hands off release, but if I remember right you use a monopod and so have both hands on it. Makes sense to me!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

RWR wrote:

Obviously this rig would be less than steady standing alone on a tripod with a hands off release, but if I remember right you use a monopod and so have both hands on it. Makes sense to me!

Please keep in mind this is for use with lighter/smaller lenses without collars.

I do use it on my medium weight tripod as well as monopods and bodypod. Being slightly off center has not been a real concern - considering the small weight.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Bill_de wrote:

but when you go from landscape to portrait the lens stays in the same position.

I can see this to be an advantage for some situations - shooting with longer lenses ( like I do ) - not so much. Close up it does makes a huge difference - so you have to make up your mind ahead of time to set up for vertical.

I got started with the Manfro #222 grip action head some years ago and it ( and it's mounting) has more or less dictated Manfro QR's and compatibilitys for me.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

imagemeister wrote:

Yes, I have - pricey and a bit SLOW to use - and not transferable - and I do not use arca/swiss.

First, I specifically purchase lenses that either have or optionally can be fitted with a tripod mounting ring. This includes 65mm, 100mm and 180mm macro, plus all my zooms and primes that reach 200mm or longer.

Some years ago I switched to the Arca-Swiss QR system with all my gear and that's made for a lot more possibilities. Previously I'd also used a couple different Bogen/Manfrotto QR systems (that aren't even compatible with each other!) I've since modified several Bogen/Manfrotto heads to be Arca-Swiss compatible and gradually replaced all camera, lens and accessory QR plates with A-S... which is much more universal and versatile. In most cases, it also allows for some simple forward/backward adjustments to better balance gear on top of a tripod.

I don't use L-brackets... they're expensive and add a lot of bulk to the camera that I don't like.

But, I do use a side-mount gimbal adapter (a Wimberley Sidekick) in conjunction with a heavy duty ballhead (Kirk BH-1 on one tripod, Smith-Victor BH8 on another)... This provides an easy and pretty well balanced means of vertically mounting a DSLR with a shorter lens installed. I bought the gimbal adapter primarily for use with long telephotos, but was pleased to find it worked well for this purpose, too.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

amfoto1 wrote:

First, I specifically purchase lenses that either have or optionally can be fitted with a tripod mounting ring. This includes 65mm, 100mm and 180mm macro, plus all my zooms and primes that reach 200mm or longer.

Not everyone has this option - or can afford it - is the reason I am showing this .

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

imagemeister wrote:

Yes, I was expecting this to be picked apart by na... (show quote)

Here is the adapter to make the Manfro 234 tilt head arca/swiss compatible. -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171965153274?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Gifted One wrote:

For me I use battery grips on the camera bodies so I have controls available for off-hand shooting. When on a platform the grip compounds that off centered balance with out using an "l" bracket.

J. R.

Yes, using a battery grip pretty well relegates you to using a L bracket .....