Gimbal head quandry
Oct 19, 2018 05:05:16 #
Les Brown wrote:
I have been looking at gimbal heads for my Nikon D7200 with the Nikon 200-500 lens I use for bird photography. I see prices from $99 to well over $500. Some lower priced ones have 4-5 star reviews making choices difficult. I would like advice on a head that won't break the bank, but isn't junk. I suspect this topic has been beat to death. Pardon me if so.
Les, here's a firm vote for Lensmaster from the UK. Yep, "Made in England" also carries the signature of old "high quality and built to last" !
I had an RH-2 for years, but, having gone "small" to Fuji and short primes, no longer have a need for it. Sold it to an English birder who loves it.
I too went to visit Ron and found him working away in his garage ....... not sure if he still makes them there, but what a lovely, caring individual, with excellent customer skills and a product you would love. I see from his website that he's developed both a monopod and a traveller, so his business must still be thriving.
I remember, in times when I had a gimbal and responded to all sorts of similar UHH posts to your own, that there are many "happy customers" of Lensmaster in your country. A few have posted here, but none have provided you with a link. Ron's well used to supplying gimbals to the USA.
At least take a look .......
https://www.lensmaster.co.uk/
Oct 19, 2018 05:11:15 #
GrandmaG wrote:
Why not a gimbal on a monopod?
GrandmaG ........ your wish has been answered ...... in the UK !
https://www.lensmaster.co.uk/m1.htm
Oct 19, 2018 06:34:36 #
RRS wrote:
Thanks so much for the info! I'm now using a video head but without the handle and want to be able to support a 600mm f/4.0 with a 1.4 at times and control this but not by moving it by holding onto the camera. I do use a cable release to trip the shutter. I will need to attach a small handle to the rail or shorten the handle that came with the 504 head. Thanks again.
I have plenty of the materials left over. I could machine some pieces for you sometime and send them. You could just pay me for the materials maybe $15 or so and reimburse for shipping. Would need the diameter of the lens barrel. I ordered polyurethane that has a durometer of 95. I had tried machining some polyurethane that has a durometer of 75 but that was too soft. The milling cutter would just rip it. The harder polyurethane was just hard enough to machine.
Oct 19, 2018 12:34:25 #
RRS
Loc: Not sure
CO wrote:
I have plenty of the materials left over. I could machine some pieces for you sometime and send them. You could just pay me for the materials maybe $15 or so and reimburse for shipping. Would need the diameter of the lens barrel. I ordered polyurethane that has a durometer of 95. I had tried machining some polyurethane that has a durometer of 75 but that was too soft. The milling cutter would just rip it. The harder polyurethane was just hard enough to machine.
Thanks so much!! I shoot the Canon 600mm f/4.0 and a Canon 300mm /2.8. Let me check on the diameter of both lenses and I will get back to you. Oh how I wish I had my own machine shop at times. I looked at the rails from RRS but have seen others that were machined with the Arca-Swiss cuts in both sides and solid, makes it easier to add a short handle to control the movement and lens support at both ends if needed. I would be more then happy to pay for reimbursement for materials and any shipping too. Thanks again...Ron
Oct 19, 2018 15:22:38 #
RRS wrote:
Thanks so much!! I shoot the Canon 600mm f/4.0 and... (show quote)
If you know a machinist or if there's a machine shop in the area, you could have them measure the lens barrel for you. I had to use 12 inch dial calipers because the jaws were long enough to reach the full diameter of the lens barrel. The material I have is 3/4 inch thick.
Oct 19, 2018 18:33:18 #
RRS
Loc: Not sure
CO wrote:
If you know a machinist or if there's a machine shop in the area, you could have them measure the lens barrel for you. I had to use 12 inch dial calipers because the jaws were long enough to reach the full diameter of the lens barrel. The material I have is 3/4 inch thick.
I will get on that first thing next week, my dial calipers only can measure out to 1 1/4", made for small measurements. I have others but the jaws will not reach the full diameter of the lens either. The end of the 600mm lens has several diameters in a 4" area where I will be placing the added support and the 300mm is about 4 1/2 " but about does not cut it.
Oct 19, 2018 21:27:36 #
Oct 19, 2018 23:11:29 #
craggycrossers wrote:
Now that looks interesting! I also watched Steve Perry’s video. Now to try it out!
Oct 21, 2018 19:39:50 #
Plenty of good advice to chew on. The suggestions about using a monopod make sense. That is what I have been using (along with hand held). There are times, however, that I'm in a great location where I do not have to move, let the birdies come to me. Setting up with a tripod and gimbal head would be nice for those times. That is why I hope to not break the bank. Thanks for all the good advice and suggestions. As usual UHH comes through.
Oct 21, 2018 19:55:31 #
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