Pistol grip recommendation (Page 2): Check out a Steadify. I purchased one from its Kickstarter program. It does very well with longer lenses so you don't need a monopod or tripod. A...

Kingman

Check out a Steadify. I purchased one from its Kickstarter program. It does very well with longer lenses so you don't need a monopod or tripod. A pistol grip would make my arm tired after a long period of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=353TZgWOPtE
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=steadify&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

quixdraw wrote:

Currently experimenting with the Nikon Pistol grip model 2 (originally for my Nikkor 50-300 from film days) in combination with the MC DC 2 trigger. A bit awkward since jury rigged. It may be possible to combine / splice MC-DC2 with MC-3A. Current setup works adequately, pistol grip a big improvement to handling the 200-500.

My solution to the weight of this beast is a Gimbel head. At my age i cannot hold this lens and body for hand holding for very long. I shoot a lot of high school sports.

(Download)

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Kingman wrote:

Check out a Steadify. I purchased one from its Kickstarter program. It does very well with longer lenses so you don't need a monopod or tripod. A pistol grip would make my arm tired after a long period of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=353TZgWOPtE
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=steadify&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

Way too flimsy IMO ....

Kingman

Don't knock it unless you've tried it. It works great. Better than I anticipated.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Kingman wrote:

Don't knock it unless you've tried it. It works great. Better than I anticipated.

With what camera and lens ??
.

Kingman

Pentax K1 and D FA 70-200mm/2.8...if you looked at the video, they were using even longer lenses. I have not tried it with my Takumar 500mm/4.5, but I suspect it would work for some application just fine.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Kingman wrote:

Pentax K1 and D FA 70-200mm/2.8...if you looked at the video, they were using even longer lenses. I have not tried it with my Takumar 500mm/4.5, but I suspect it would work for some application just fine.

Yes, that is what I thought - a small lens and a lot of suspecting .....
.

Jules Karney Loc: Las Vegas, Nevada

imagemeister wrote:

With what camera and lens ??
.

This set is D500 with a 200-500 5.6 on a Manfrotto 055 tripod. Steady as a rock.

DEBJENROB Loc: DELRAY BEACH FL

[quote=wooden_ships]I have a Nikon 200-500mm zoom lens and it weighs 7.5 pounds. I think a good pistol gripC would help. Your recommendation would be appreciated.[/quote

Check Amazon ..... I bought an inexpensive one for my 150-500

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

willy6419

Kes makes a nice grip

Straight but cushioned and well built

B&H

SteveR Loc: Michigan

catchlight.. wrote:

Excellent grip, and it wont break the bank. This has the most mounting surface, when compared to other grips. I used it for the last year and it is perfect for long lenses and video.

The Manfrotto has a "trigger" that will release the hold and allow you to move the camera to a new position, release the trigger and tighten the hold again.

Really, what's a pistol without a trigger?

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

After a lot of use the Manfrotto loses grip and even adjusting it isn't enough. We had one and with a D850 plus a 28-300 you could still move it on the ball. And when it was adjusted so tight to lock the camera/lens from moving when nudged the movement as a monoball became very jerky. This one went in the bin and we sold the other.
So the Manfrotto grip is okay but it does wear out.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

chrissybabe wrote:

After a lot of use the Manfrotto loses grip and even adjusting it isn't enough. We had one and with a D850 plus a 28-300 you could still move it on the ball. And when it was adjusted so tight to lock the camera/lens from moving when nudged the movement as a monoball became very jerky. This one went in the bin and we sold the other.
So the Manfrotto grip is okay but it does wear out.

Which Manfrotto pistol grip did you get, there are two? I purchased the higher end one and had absolutely no problem with the D800 and the 28-300. It is totally sturdy. I wouldn't have recommended it if it wasn't. Again, the nice thing about it is that you can use the trigger to release the hold, re-position it and release the trigger again and it will hold tightly again. Check the specifications. It will hold up to just over 12 pounds, and is made out of magnesium.

https://www.manfrotto.us/light-duty-grip-ball-head

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

We first tried the vertical grip. That lasted about a week before we flagged it - felt awkward. Then we had 2 x 322RC2s which look like precursors to the one you referenced. One 322RC2 got a lot of use and eventually failed, the other we sold on.
Before failing I swore by them but eventually one lost its grip. It did last about 8-10 years but towards the end gave frequent problems particularly with 'sticking' in use and it got to a point where we didn't trust it. The one you referenced, being a lot newer, may well be giving sterling service so fine.
There appears to be no repairs possible and you cannot lubricate the balls because sand will stick to them. Maybe we just wore it out. However swapping over to substantial ballheads and arca swiss plates has proven to be more reliable to us.
The 327RC2 wasn't available when we purchased the 322RC2s.