jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

It is one of the best things I have used during events. I placed bracket with a flash arm onto a monopod and shot portraits during a party, no problem with weight using the monopod. All self contained and even with the large Graslon diffuser attached, it was easy to circulate and look for shots.


https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-311460-1.html

Shows 2 posted photos using the Custom Bracket on the monopod. I actually reversed the flash bracket arm to be farther away from the camera axis instead of over the lens.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I’m sorry, CO. I’ll plead frazzled brain at this point. I do mount the 200-500 by the tripod foot and rotate when I want to. I know a gimble would be wise but I’m not ready for that yet. I want the ease of rotating when using other lenses like the 105 Micro or 24-120. But I also want to be sure the tripod and head are adequate for the bigger combo. It sounds like the legs may be fine. My best move is probably to find a new ball head that is up to the job and that will solve the Arca Swiss issue as well.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I’ll admit, I’ve never seen a set up like that. It looks like it would be really smooth to work with.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I’m sold on adding an L Bracket.

Andy

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Me too, Andy!

CO

If your shopping for a gimbal head sometime, take a look at the Jobu Jr.3 gimbal. It weighs only 1.5 lbs. and can support up to 10 lbs. Jobu says you can put 12 lbs. on it but recommend up to 10 lbs. I just purchased one. I use it with my Nikon D500 and Nikon 80-400mm lens. It has a needle bearing and a thrust bearing in the tilt axes. the locking knob applies a finely controlled amount of friction. For the pan axis, they designed a bushing that supplies light dampening. Jobu also makes larger gimbals. Wimberly make top gimbals as well Once you use a gimbal head, you won't want to use anything else for large lenses.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Jobu!

Pedro Cerrano: Bats, they are sick. I cannot hit curveball. Straightball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid. I ask Jobu to come, take fear from bats. I offer him cigar, rum. He will come.

Andy

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

What do you consider large? The 200-500 is my only lens that I think of as large. Is a gimble only suitable for a lens with collar? That’s one reason I hadn’t really thought of getting a gimble. I will take a look at Jobu though.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I thought you had lost it, Andy, but I just Googled Jobu and you’re off the hook!

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Well, off something, I’ll admit.

That comes to mind immediately every time I hear “Jobu”!

Andy

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Living in central Fl is an advantage if you like birds! Circle B, Viera, Orlando Wetlands, Merritt Island....on and on!

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

I bought a bracket for our D850 (can't help you whether you can source one for a D500). It was about a 3rd the price of the really expensive ones.
First I tried a generic one but it was hopeless. Then I found a better one that cam with the correct openings for the D850 and the base had an uplift on the back which the camera fitted into. So now the camera fits snugly into the L bracket and because of the uplift it cannot come loose which is the bugbear of all mounting systems. I would not touch generic with a barge-pole now especially since the generic DON'T have the uplift.

I also have an extensive Manfrotto tripod and head collection. I have just finished converting everything away from their QR system to Arca-swiss. There were a few things to learn but the three main points to watch for are that you should take as much use of the 3/8" fittings as possible. These are generally found as the top bolt on the tripod or the bottom thread on a head. All my AS fittings came with the 3/8" to 1/4" adapters so just a case of removing these.
The second thing to watch for is that some of Manfrottos heads come with a special fitting which is keyed to the bottom of their QR clamp. So if you remove the clamp you cannot fit an Arca-swiss fitting onto the head securely. Now if you look at the bottom of a generic AS clamp fitting (I used generic for all of mine) you will notice that there is a cutout either side of the screw hole. I used to wonder why this was so but about 2 weeks ago I found the adapter which keys them both together. I have only ever seen one supplier that has these adapters and I am waiting for two to arrive any day now. Only a few dollars for a pair.
The last thing to watch for is that I had a lot of trouble sorting out my video head. The Manfrotto QR clamp is physically part of the head so in my case I machined out the whole area to take a 50mm AS clamp. So all my tripods and heads work with everything converted to AS (except for the couple waiting for the adapter). I was looking at making an adapter plate from a Manfrotto plate to a AS clamp but decided to go with the machining instead. If you don't have a video head then everything was quite easy.
Been a bit of a mission but now happy that all is working. The AS fittings make macro-photography more stable.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

I went to Merritt Island yesterday. Black Point was lush and green, really beautiful. Unfortunately there were almost no birds and not even many gators in sight. But you are totally right. October through April or May, this area is rich with big birds.

johnpolizzi

I use a 3 legged thing universal L-bracket that allows access to my side panels on a Sony a58. It was about $60. Any good ball head w/quick release plate will do. Making the adjustment to vertical for this shot took about 3 seconds.

travisdeland Loc: deland, FL

Carol-since you have multiple camera models, I think I would be inclined to get a generic bracket that would work with most/all of your bodies. After using the bracket, and you decide that it's really a way to go(and I'm pretty sure you will), then decide which body would be used the most and get a quality bracket for that body. You'll still have the generic for use on the other cameras. When I'm in the Smokies, my RRS L bracket stays on one of my 7D2's. As for the tripod, I have a couple of Nest carbon fiber models. I'm leaving town next week and would be happy to lend you one to try out-drop me a PM.****edit: I also have a gimbal you can try as well.