Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
Gimbal head for Sigma 150-500
Page <prev 2 of 2
Jan 2, 2013 11:17:44   #
naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA
 
ecobin wrote:
JR1 wrote:
Have you searched the forum for gimbal

LENSMASTER. Google

Been bought by another member here also I think craggycrossers

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/

I have both versions


I bought the RH2 model and use it with my Sigma 150-500. It's very solid and I'm completely happy with it.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-76747-2.html#1366132


Thanks for your input. Seems like a lot of UHH members use the Lensmaster. I'm just not sure about the limited height adjustment. Decisions, decisions. Thanks again

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 12:58:04   #
oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey
 
naturepics43 wrote:
oldtool2 wrote:
naturepics43 wrote:
I've spent several days searching the internet for a mid priced gimbal head. The Desmond head is interesting but only offers two height adjustments. The Opteka (looks) very good with infinite height adjustment. It does look very much like units costing 2-3 times the price and has a 1 year warranty. Does anyone have personal experience with the Opteka GH-1 gimbal head or with any Opteka products?

I'm not a pro and can not afford a $400.00 head. Thanks in advance for your help.


I'm with you on the Manfrotto. I'm always tweeking focus and the additional arm could be a problem. Thanks for your input.
This one?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0071BIQZC/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

I just got one two days ago. It is still out as to whether I will keep it or not. The lower pivot, at the tripod, on mine was very tight. Before I used it I popped the cover for it off and loosened the allen head bolt that applies the tension on the bearing. That cured the to tight problem and it now pivots nicely. That was the only problem I had with mine so will probably end up keeping it. I have been testing it using my 400mm lenses.

I also own and like this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrotto-Long-Monopod-Bracket/dp/B0000AE66A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1357132555&sr=8-5&keywords=gimbal+head

I do like it, works well. My only complaint is that on rare occasions the one side of the “U” will get in the way, but like I said not often enough that I would consider it a problem.

Jim D
quote=naturepics43 I've spent several days search... (show quote)
quote=oldtool2 quote=naturepics43 I've spent sev... (show quote)


It mainly gets used with a 100-400mm lens that is a push-pull. I haven't found the arms to get in the way of zooming or focusing. It would get in the way when I went to hook up my remote, would have to loosen it and move it about an inch to connect it then I could put it back. Like I said, not often enough to really be a problem.

Jim D

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 15:07:52   #
craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK
 
naturepics43 wrote:
JR1 wrote:
Have you searched the forum for gimbal

LENSMASTER. Google

Been bought by another member here also I think craggycrossers

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/

I have both versions


Thanks JR1 for the link. I'm not keen on the side mount & looking for more height adjustment. Thanks for the input.


Hi there - I see my name mentioned in this thread, so now I'm in too !

You mentioned that you didn't like the "sidemount". That's the RH-1 version. There's a more versatile version, the RH2. Did you look at the video on Lensmaster's website ? That's a huge lens on there ! Much bigger than your 150- 500mm.

The Lensmaster is stable and so easy to use ..... less than half a turn for each of the knobs takes you from moving freely to a firm hold of the camera/lens combination.

I've been there, met him, watched him making his gimbals, had tea in his kitchen. He's a gem, his product is all you'd want, he exports regularly to the USA, you get 2 quick release plates, and his prices knock stuffing out of the competition, even considering the shipping costs to the USA.

The biggest lens I put on mine is a 70-200mm - see photos. Your lens isn't much bigger, I think. Why do you need "height adjustment"? This gimbal would carry your combo quite adequately.

Hope this helps you with your decision making ..... and with kind regards .......

Lensmaster with 70-200 lens
Lensmaster with 70-200 lens...

Lensmaster with 70-200 lens (2)
Lensmaster with 70-200 lens (2)...

Reply
 
 
Jan 2, 2013 16:45:49   #
larrycumba
 
http://www.custombrackets.com/products/gimbal-series/gimbals/cb-gimbal.html

this is the one i have and like.

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 19:52:21   #
naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA
 
craggycrossers wrote:
naturepics43 wrote:
JR1 wrote:
Have you searched the forum for gimbal

LENSMASTER. Google

Been bought by another member here also I think craggycrossers

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/

I have both versions


Thanks JR1 for the link. I'm not keen on the side mount & looking for more height adjustment. Thanks for the input.


Hi there - I see my name mentioned in this thread, so now I'm in too !

You mentioned that you didn't like the "sidemount". That's the RH-1 version. There's a more versatile version, the RH2. Did you look at the video on Lensmaster's website ? That's a huge lens on there ! Much bigger than your 150- 500mm.

The Lensmaster is stable and so easy to use ..... less than half a turn for each of the knobs takes you from moving freely to a firm hold of the camera/lens combination.

I've been there, met him, watched him making his gimbals, had tea in his kitchen. He's a gem, his product is all you'd want, he exports regularly to the USA, you get 2 quick release plates, and his prices knock stuffing out of the competition, even considering the shipping costs to the USA.

The biggest lens I put on mine is a 70-200mm - see photos. Your lens isn't much bigger, I think. Why do you need "height adjustment"? This gimbal would carry your combo quite adequately.

Hope this helps you with your decision making ..... and with kind regards .......
quote=naturepics43 quote=JR1 Have you searched t... (show quote)


I am sure that it is a well made gimbal but to answer your question about "height adjustment", it is my understanding that to get optimum balance, the horizontal center line of the lens should line up with the horizontal pivot point. I have a 300mm Nikkor lens with a very short tripod foot that I also want to use on the gimbal and the horzintal center line of this lens would be well below the horzintal pivot. Thanks for posting the pics and the info.I'm still digesting all the helpful info.

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 19:55:28   #
naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA
 
larrycumba wrote:
http://www.custombrackets.com/products/gimbal-series/gimbals/cb-gimbal.html

this is the one i have and like.


Thanks for the link. Looks like a very well engineered gimbal but way out of my budget.

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 20:29:45   #
JC56 Loc: Lake St.Louis mo.
 
here are a couple of things i've learned using the opteka with a sigma 150-500.
1. make sure you turn off all OS (lens and camera).
2. when focusing put your left hand on top of the lens and press down gently (this helps reduce camera shake)
3. keep your ss at 500 or above.
4. it's a bitch to carry the camera, tripod, and lens any distance
5. make sure you have a good sturdy tripod.
6. Once you get them set up and balanced gimbals are very easy and fun to use.
7. I took some very nice air show shots using the optika gimbal....and it was a hell of a lot easier than hand holding the 150-500 beast. I will post a couple if you
give the okay.
8. by all means make sure the arca mount is tight!!!!! the first couple of times you use it keep it teathered to you..nothing worse than dropping and breaking your nice camera and lens.

Whatever gimblal you decide on enjoy it and post some pics....i wouldn't leave home without mine.

Reply
 
 
Jan 2, 2013 21:08:34   #
naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA
 
JC56 wrote:
here are a couple of things i've learned using the opteka with a sigma 150-500.
1. make sure you turn off all OS (lens and camera).
2. when focusing put your left hand on top of the lens and press down gently (this helps reduce camera shake)
3. keep your ss at 500 or above.
4. it's a bitch to carry the camera, tripod, and lens any distance
5. make sure you have a good sturdy tripod.
6. Once you get them set up and balanced gimbals are very easy and fun to use.
7. I took some very nice air show shots using the optika gimbal....and it was a hell of a lot easier than hand holding the 150-500 beast. I will post a couple if you
give the okay.
8. by all means make sure the arca mount is tight!!!!! the first couple of times you use it keep it teathered to you..nothing worse than dropping and breaking your nice camera and lens.

Whatever gimblal you decide on enjoy it and post some pics....i wouldn't leave home without mine.
here are a couple of things i've learned using the... (show quote)


Thanks for the in-depth instructions. Point 2 & 8 are of special interest to me as I have never used a gimbal or an acra mount. Feel free to post results. Looking forward to seeing them.

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 21:28:15   #
JC56 Loc: Lake St.Louis mo.
 
naturepics43 wrote:
JC56 wrote:
here are a couple of things i've learned using the opteka with a sigma 150-500.
1. make sure you turn off all OS (lens and camera).
2. when focusing put your left hand on top of the lens and press down gently (this helps reduce camera shake)
3. keep your ss at 500 or above.
4. it's a bitch to carry the camera, tripod, and lens any distance
5. make sure you have a good sturdy tripod.
6. Once you get them set up and balanced gimbals are very easy and fun to use.
7. I took some very nice air show shots using the optika gimbal....and it was a hell of a lot easier than hand holding the 150-500 beast. I will post a couple if you
give the okay.
8. by all means make sure the arca mount is tight!!!!! the first couple of times you use it keep it teathered to you..nothing worse than dropping and breaking your nice camera and lens.

Whatever gimblal you decide on enjoy it and post some pics....i wouldn't leave home without mine.
here are a couple of things i've learned using the... (show quote)


Thanks for the in-depth instructions. Point 2 & 8 are of special interest to me as I have never used a gimbal or an acra mount. Feel free to post results. Looking forward to seeing them.
quote=JC56 here are a couple of things i've learn... (show quote)


here are a couple of pics using the sigma on a k5 mounted to an optika gimbal.....an arca mount allows your lens to slide in a tract.....kind of like a sliding door...you have to slide your lens one way or the other to make it balance...once the lens is balanced make sure you tighten it down...there is a knob on the left.

Scott afb 9/15/12 very cloudy
Scott afb 9/15/12 very cloudy...

another pic of the thunderbirds.
another pic of the thunderbirds....

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 21:51:35   #
naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA
 
Very, very nice! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Hopefully with a lot of practice with a good gimbal I will be able to elevate my skill level. Thanks for all the help.

Reply
Jan 2, 2013 21:58:04   #
JC56 Loc: Lake St.Louis mo.
 
your welcome...and a good gimbal will help you elevate your skills......... and you don't have to spend a lot of bucks to do it............. enough talk....... go get you a gimbal and post some pics!

Reply
 
 
Jan 3, 2013 01:55:17   #
oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey
 
naturepics43 wrote:
JC56 wrote:
here are a couple of things i've learned using the opteka with a sigma 150-500.
1. make sure you turn off all OS (lens and camera).
2. when focusing put your left hand on top of the lens and press down gently (this helps reduce camera shake)
3. keep your ss at 500 or above.
4. it's a bitch to carry the camera, tripod, and lens any distance
5. make sure you have a good sturdy tripod.
6. Once you get them set up and balanced gimbals are very easy and fun to use.
7. I took some very nice air show shots using the optika gimbal....and it was a hell of a lot easier than hand holding the 150-500 beast. I will post a couple if you
give the okay.
8. by all means make sure the arca mount is tight!!!!! the first couple of times you use it keep it teathered to you..nothing worse than dropping and breaking your nice camera and lens.

Whatever gimblal you decide on enjoy it and post some pics....i wouldn't leave home without mine.
here are a couple of things i've learned using the... (show quote)


Thanks for the in-depth instructions. Point 2 & 8 are of special interest to me as I have never used a gimbal or an acra mount. Feel free to post results. Looking forward to seeing them.
quote=JC56 here are a couple of things i've learn... (show quote)


On #2 are you referring to manual focusing? Using AF I rarely touch my setup except to track and I do that with my right hand on the camera. To shoot a stationary target I don't touch anything when I fire except the remote. If moving my right hand does the tracking and my left is on the remote.

#3, always shoot at the fastest speed possible on moving targets.

#8s not just for the arca mount, should be standard practice to check tightness fairly often with any quick release plate.

I used the Opetka today to photo some birds out my door. Now that I loosened the bottom bearing it is working as smooth as glass. I dont see any problems at all with it.

Here is a photo of my 7D and a Canon 400mm mounted on it.

Jim D



Reply
Jan 3, 2013 09:37:30   #
naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA
 
oldtool2 wrote:
naturepics43 wrote:
JC56 wrote:
here are a couple of things i've learned using the opteka with a sigma 150-500.
1. make sure you turn off all OS (lens and camera).
2. when focusing put your left hand on top of the lens and press down gently (this helps reduce camera shake)
3. keep your ss at 500 or above.
4. it's a bitch to carry the camera, tripod, and lens any distance
5. make sure you have a good sturdy tripod.
6. Once you get them set up and balanced gimbals are very easy and fun to use.
7. I took some very nice air show shots using the optika gimbal....and it was a hell of a lot easier than hand holding the 150-500 beast. I will post a couple if you
give the okay.
8. by all means make sure the arca mount is tight!!!!! the first couple of times you use it keep it teathered to you..nothing worse than dropping and breaking your nice camera and lens.

Whatever gimblal you decide on enjoy it and post some pics....i wouldn't leave home without mine.
here are a couple of things i've learned using the... (show quote)


Thanks for the in-depth instructions. Point 2 & 8 are of special interest to me as I have never used a gimbal or an acra mount. Feel free to post results. Looking forward to seeing them.
quote=JC56 here are a couple of things i've learn... (show quote)


On #2 are you referring to manual focusing? Using AF I rarely touch my setup except to track and I do that with my right hand on the camera. To shoot a stationary target I don't touch anything when I fire except the remote. If moving my right hand does the tracking and my left is on the remote.

#3, always shoot at the fastest speed possible on moving targets.

#8s not just for the arca mount, should be standard practice to check tightness fairly often with any quick release plate.

I used the Opetka today to photo some birds out my door. Now that I loosened the bottom bearing it is working as smooth as glass. I dont see any problems at all with it.

Here is a photo of my 7D and a Canon 400mm mounted on it.

Jim D
quote=naturepics43 quote=JC56 here are a couple ... (show quote)


More great tips to try out. Yes, I always double check my QR when mounting my camera & lens.

Reply
Mar 24, 2013 21:37:38   #
James Parrish Loc: Folsom, California
 
Yes, I Own one and it works just fine. I was told by a rep that it would be stiff in the beginning and it was. However, I have been using it as I was told and sure enough it is getting soother each time I use it.
It is rated at 30lbs. which is far beyond the weight of the Sigma 150-500mm lens you're using.

If you have the patience to break it in it is a great deal. Or you can buy others costing less and rated lower in weight capacity.

OR Pay full boat and get the top of the line! Best of luck on your choice.

Reply
Page <prev 2 of 2
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.