James:
The Manfrotto 410 gear head is reasonably priced, but might be marginal
for a big lens (capacity of 11 lbs or so). The larger ones are much more
expensive. The 410 seems to have a good reputation, and allows the user
to override the gearing. What gear head do you use?
Martin
James N. McBride wrote:
>I do not like ball heads for large lenses. I know a lot of people on this
>list do. I prefer a gear head (Walt's fine recommendation) when conditions
>permit. When a lot of quick movement is required I use a fluid head with the
>shutter button on the handle of the head. Another good choice, especially on
>a monopod, is the Bogen Lens Cradle with a sliding 3273 plate assembly. I
>use that plate assembly on most heads for large lenses as it permits me to
>balance the lens/camera assembly quickly. It will also work well on ball
>heads. I have tried most of the Bogen ball heads and didn't like any of them
>for large lenses. The brands you mention are all supposed to be good.
>Sometimes there are just too many choices and it's hard (expensive) to try
>them all. The three-axis heads work well but take a lot of hands to
>manipulate the controls if one is in a hurry.
>
>I have a new Bogen 3221WN tripod for sale (EB*AY item 7569667019) with a
>3030 head. I would sell the legs or head separately if someone wanted. I
>also have several camera bags left and can discount them for list members.
>See a list at:
>
><http://myweb.cableone.net/jmac25/eqforsale.htm>
>
>/jmac
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx]On
>Behalf Of Martin Walters
>Sent: Monday, December 05, 2005 7:35 AM
>To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: [OM] Re: Wildlife Photographer of the Year (OT)
>
>
>Now that the topic of "big glass" is out in the open, I have a question
>for those using these types of lens. What tripod heads do you hang them on?
>I've recently acquired a Tamron 300/2.8 and, while I do have a monopod,
>I now have to get a tripod and head, and I am looking for a reasonable
>solution to the stability/weight/price equation. Too heavy and the
>tripod will never leave home; too expensive and there will be questions
>from my better half (who's eyes popped when she saw the size of the
>lens!); and too flimsy and unwowrkable etc. And, yes, I've seen the
>many threads on tripods on Photo-net.
>
>I've more or less decided on the legs; however, the real challenge (from
>price perspective particularly) is an adequate ball head. The easy (and
>expensive) choices are Arca-Swiss, Kirk BH-1, Wimberley, and Acratech
>(is it sturdy enough?). I expect that I will likely not be straying far
>with this lens/tripod, and would likely hang some smaller lenses (Tamron
>180 and shorter) on it too. Camera will be an OM+winder. Also, is it
>realistic to consider getting something relatively cheap and then
>upgrade, though this would no doubt be more expensive. So,are there
>others that I might get away with (e.g., Giottos 1000)? Grateful for
>your views.
>
>Martin
>
>
>Moose wrote:
>
>
>
>>Chuck Norcutt wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>>Jeff mentions a 400/4 Tamron, a lens I'm not familiar with. What's the
>>>best deal in an OM mount 300 or 400mm f/4 or similar fast glass? 2.8 is
>>>probably too fast meaning expensive and heavy.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>You've already heard about some of the big, fast, heavy and relatively
>>expensive options.
>>
>>The Zuiko 300/ 4.5 is an excellent lens. Only 1 stop slower than the big
>>guns and significantly smaller, lighter and cheaper.
>>
>>One of my favorite lenses is the Tamron SP (adaptall) 60-300/3.8-5.6. It
>>is smaller and lighter than any of the primes mentioned so far and nice
>>and sharp even at 300mm. The best example I have on the web is soemthing
>>I've posted before for other reasons
>><http://www.moosemystic.net/Gallery/tech/PrintvsScan/ScanvsPrint.htm>.
>>Wide open at 1/60, resting on a car window (engine off!) on Kodak Royal
>>Gold 400. This was scanned on the FS2710 at 2720 dpi. I don't know if
>>there is any more detail to be pulled out, but I'm impressed as it is.
>>
>>Downsides are speed, 2 stops down from the big gun f2/8s and one down
>>
>>
>>from the Zuiko, and the lack of a tripod mount. It's not heavy enough to
>
>
>>challange an OM lens mount, but can make the lens/body combo unwieldy
>>for really small, light tripods. But even there, I've had good results
>>with care. Great for use with a monopod.
>>
>>Upsides besides size, weight and cost? It's sharp wide open, which is an
>>advantage over some other long lenses. Sure, it's a little better at f8,
>>but awfully good wide open. I wouldn't be surprised to find that it's
>>better than some of the slow 300mm lenses many folks made back in those
>>days.
>>
>>Although all 300mm and up lenses take real care to get good hand held
>>results, it's relative light weight helps. I think it's as easy to hand
>>hold at 300mm as the 80-200/2.8 at 200mm, but others with stronger arms
>>and more stamina may feel differently. Pair it with a nice wide to mid
>>zoom and cover pretty much everything. With the 19-35 and a 50/1.4, you
>>really cover everything.
>>
>>It does killer macro. And as a mid to long zoom, it means I have the
>>longer reach available more often. I don't have to decide to take the
>>big gun along and then have the time and patience to take it out and
>>mount it. I just push the zoom ring, find something to lean myself
>>and/or the lens against, if possible, and shoot away. Here are some more
>>shots with it.
>>http://galleries.moosemystic.net/Yosemite/pages/02043031.htm
>>http://galleries.moosemystic.net/Yosemite/pages/02043A21.htm and the one
>>following
>>http://galleries.moosemystic.net/Yosemite/pages/02050102.htm and the one
>>following
>>
>>The other thing for me about long lenses is that about all extra speed
>>buys in many circumstances is a brighter viewfinder. DOF gets so shallow
>>at long fls that shooting above f8 or so often doesn't give enough DOF
>>anyway. I found myself wanting the stop down ring on the Sigma 600/8 for
>>just that reason recently. It was nice and bright, and f16 would have
>>been better for the shot.
>>
>>Moose
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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