dar_clicks Loc: Utah

I just purchased an Opteka GH-1 gimbal head and before I even got it on a tripod I could tell it was a better way to use a long tele (300mm etc.) than anything I'd tried before, especially to follow something that's moving. Like others have posted, it was a little stiff at first, but just spending some time working it around got the arm moving freely and so far it looks like it will do just fine.

My question is prompted by this -- The D700 just barely fits with a whisker's room to spare so it can be mounted with a shorter lens that has no collar, but only horizontal, no way to rotate for verticals of course. If I'm out with a tripod using the gimbal and tele with collar (which does rotate) the best quick way I can think of so far if I wish to switch to shoot a vertical with a shorter no-collar lens is to just rest the lens/camera combo somewhere on top of the gimbal head, kinda like using a fence post. I'm not considering one of those scissors-flip gadgets to be in the budget just yet and not keen on carrying another piece of gear about anyway.

How have some of the rest of you solved this?

Jblanke Loc: Metairie, LA

Can't help,you with that one, Dar. I bought a LensMaster.

dar_clicks Loc: Utah

Thanks, I appreciate your reply. It reminded me that I should have also mentioned for others' benefit as well that the question really isn't brand-specific e.g., that it would apply equally well when using the LensMaster Gimbal GH-2.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

This is one of the reasons to try before you buy.

The Optekas blurb states


"The GH1 is lighter and stronger than any other gimbal heads on the market"

Rubbish,

The Lensmaster works with a 1DSmk4 and 500mm Canon lens in any rotation, portrait or landscape and is stonger. It easily takes my 60D, battery grip, hammerhead Metz etc.

But that does not help.

It is hard to understand what you are asking, perhaps you can take a shot or2 and show us.

dar_clicks Loc: Utah

I'm not here to push or disparage any particular brand. The one I have is way plenty h_-for-stout-enough to work just fine for me. Any swing-arm gimbal head (as opposed to side mount) presents the same proposition, i.e., after removing a big lens with rotating collar -- how to quickly & effectively switch to use the camera with smaller lens that has no rotating collar for a vertical format shot. Note that the camera in the latter scenario is easily mounted and used horizontally having its own arca-swiss-style mounting plate, but not vertically.

I hope this rewording along with my previous post helps better understand what I'm asking. I'm sure others have encountered this same situation and I just wanted to hear some useful solutions they may have found.

Dave Johnson Loc: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hey Dar, I think I know what you are talking about. You want some kind of divice to change the orientation of your mount from fore / aft as found on a long lens to a side to side as typical on a camera bracket. I'll bet that there are clamps that will orient your camera 90'. Look at RRS web site or any of the other numerous Arca-Swiss web sites.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

What about an L- Bracket?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Without a photograph it is not easy to understand the question, another said "I "think" I know what you are talking about"

If it is like this I can't understand the problem (1)

If it is like the left hand one in the second photo then you need an attachment as in the 3RD photo

A photo of your setup would make it clearer

1

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Jobu has a Wide Angle Adapter Bracket 2 that attaches to the gimbal bead to allow the us of the camera on on the gimbal: check it out, I have one and use it all the time when I want to use my wide angle lenses on my gimbal head http://www.jobu-design.com/Wide-Angle-Adapter-Bracket-2_p_72.html

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

I also use the Opteka GH-1 gimbal head and I had the same problems with lenses without rotating collars. I solved the problem with an "L" bracket specifically designed for the D700. High precision, beautifully made piece of equipment. See below:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/579693-REG/Kirk_BL_D700_BL_D700_Compact_L_Bracket_for.html

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Perfect answer +1

dar_clicks Loc: Utah

Thanks to several for the good information received. Much appreciated. Yes, the GH-1 is the swing-arm type for which the L-brackets would work. I had not seen the L-brackets before that were shown in the links that were provided -- very nice and very expensive! ... so what else is new, I guess.

If there are still other suggestions, they would be appreciated as well. Thanks.