sisko67

I would like to know if, when using a long telephoto lens, such as a 600mm should you use a support that attached to the base of the camera body and to the rail that attaches to the foot plate of the lens. I have been seeing them more and more. I was told this is a good idea, to take tension off the connection between the lens and camera body. If this is a good idea, could anyone recommend one. Thank to all in advance for your advice.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

If the lens manufacturer fits a footplate to the lens then use that. It shouldn't matter what size the lens because the camera attached is always going to be the same weight (unless an additional battery holder is fitted) and I'd like to think that the bayonet and fittings were designed with the camera in mind and therefore strong enough.

But if you're thinking of a support for combined lens and camera, primarily to reduce shake I'd go for it. Trying to shoot the supermoon the other night I noticed my Canon 400 'L' + 2x extender on my 60D was wobbling all over the place, despite a reasonable tripod that specifies a weight capability in excess of the camera setup. A setup such as you suggest would be beneficial though I've not seen one yet, and one that had an amount of adjustment allowing you to balance the setup on the head would be ideal.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Yes, that is absolutely right and should be followed at all times! The manufacturers do put a lens mount on those heavier lenses for a reason, so one should use it! Why risk damage to the camera?

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

He's talking about an extended connection between the base of the camera and the foot of the long lens.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

If my memory is correct (It's still early) I think several members posted pictures of rigs like that - possibly home-made.

Really Right Stuff sells them, whether they are necessary or not is another question.

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/Quick-Release/Multi-Purpose-Rails-Packages/Long-Lens-Support-Packages

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Ooops, I'm sorry, I guess my thoughts wandered off and then I answered without noticing it!

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

That's easy enough to do. I've been there too!

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

I have a Nikkor 80-400mm lens with a Kirk tripod support (they replaced the one that Nikon supplies with a better balanced stronger support), I either hand hold the lens by placing my left hand on the tripod support and control the camera with my right or mount the camera on tripod using the mount on the lens. The lens will support either my D7100 or my D610 just fine. If I were using a really heavy camera and /or a lens with a tele-converter or a really long lens (like the Nikkor 800 with a converter (or any of the "really expensive" lenses, I would probably look at the rail systems. Typically, Nikon will make recommendations along those lines when needed or suggested.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

The more support you have the better when using a long lens ...for night shots .. and for the most precise clarity you can get on high mega pixel cameras such as 36 .. 52 .. 54 mega pixel ..

All you have to do is put on a long lens with the standard tripod and lens/camera foot ...place your camera on live view ... focus on a distant object .. ok the moon for example ..then blow against your lens ... touch your camera strap if still attached ..(I take mine off for long lens) you will see that the slightest movement of anything .. a fly going by .. brush the tripod with your jacket … it all will be shown clearly in the live view ..

You'll find yourself amazed at what you see.. ok .., even the earth rotation (harmonic Vibrations ) .. well let's not go that far .., but you know what I mean ..

The last supermoon ( you can see my posts) was done on a Kmart $50 tripod and my permanently special mounted long AcraSwiss plate would not allow me to connect the lens to the tripod I had to connect the camera and let the 200-500 hang out in space ... it cost me a little clarity on my shots ..., if I was not on an emergency trip to SanDiego .. I would have brought my heavy tripod and head .. Heck .. I didn't even know there was a supermoon until the day before when I saw it on tv .. my brother lent me one of his beginner tripods ...

Just try the live view with your long lens and you'll see how much it matters to have the most support you can get ...

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

Yes, it is better, as is a double "U" design, as opposed to the cantilever used by most cheap copies of the Wimberley gimbal. I find the Wimberley to be totally stable, but the knock-offs are not as good - at least the few I've seen in the $300 range. The only double "U" I've seen is this one:

http://www.feisol.com/0823newproduct.html

And it has support for both lens and camera.

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

It only needs to be mounted by the lens foot, it's totally unnecessary to mount the camera as well...it's the way it's been done for years...if the mount on your camera isn't strong enough to hold its own weight there's something wrong...

Roger Lee

I use a Wimberly gimbal head on a 3 series Gitzo with the above mentioned Really Right Stuff long lens support bracket. The camera body is happy to hang on it's own without added weight stress from the lens.

Many wildlife photographers recommend putting hand on top of long lens barrel to cancel out shutter oscillations.

http://www.moosepeterson.com/techtips/longlens.html

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

And the forehead against the back of the camera, and a roll of the finger over the shutter button, instead of a press. But first and foremost, all the great technique in the world won't provide great results if you are on an inadequate tripod.

This video makes the point, as only Moose can, at :47

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8HVPrPzpR4

From the endless postings from those responding to others asking what tripod they should get - according to Moose's definition - there are a lot of nutty people out there.

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

If the lens foot is poorly designed - and many are - like some of the Nikkor 300mm F2.8 and the 80-200, 70-200 and and the 600mm F4 AFS-II others - mounting the lens to the tripod head will not provide great results. Of course you can buy a replacement collar or foot, but if you have 3 or more lenses with this issue, it becomes a very expensive proposition. With a head that will support the lens and the camera and allow you to balance the load properly, the inadequate foot is no longer an issue.

Roger Lee

Good point on the tripod, my first purchase for long lens support and it is still being used to this day.

An old and perhaps a little outdated but still a gem of an article on tripods.

http://bythom.com/support.htm