topic Re: tripod and gimbal head questions in General Discussion

tripod and gimbal head questions

mitchmcc — Wed, 19 May 2021 22:57:33 GMT

I have a pretty old Bogen tripod with the original Wimberly head that I have used with

my Canon 600mm lens.

I also have a smaller Manfrotti tripod I use with an Arca Swiss B1 Ballhead and my Canon 100-400II

lens.

Being used to the gimbal, I have a hard time using the ballhead. I wouldn't mind replacing the
Arca-Swiss with a lighter-duty gimbal for use with my 100-400 (plus 1.4x TC).

Does this make sense? My only other hesitation is that I really do not like the 100-400 "foot" (tripod

mount ring).

It does not stay tight when I put it on, and it loosens quickly.

I would love to hear from anyone else who has tried to put together this type of tripod, gimbal and 100-400.

Thanks,

Mitch

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 May 2021 04:59:05 GMT

One, nice gear.

I replaced the tripod foot on my EF 100-400mmm II with one by Kirk, which did not include any of the correct safety stop screws. I ordered some 3-4 years ago, but I cannot remember which ones. Kirk makes two sizes, and I bought both.

I think the lenses the size of a 70-200 and 100-400 are probably a little on the small side for most gimbals. I've never tried it, or bought one for that reason. I don't think there would sufficient clearance when I began to angle upwards.

I mostly use my 100-400 handheld. When I do use a tripod, it is not for action photography. I use a monopod with a Kirk MPA-2 for action photography during longer shoots. They often play 3 youth tackle football games back to back. No tripods on sidelines, anyway.

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

mitchmcc — Thu, 20 May 2021 11:56:28 GMT

Waddizzle.... thanks for your reply. I do hand-hold a lot, and it had occurred to me that I should

just continue doing so. I don't need to spend more money, anyway.

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:35:36 GMT

Yeah, it sounded to me like your B1 ball head has more friction than the Arca-Swiss mounting plate connection does with the lens foot.

I think a tripod foot would still be a good investment. You never know when you may just want to set it down on a tripod, not even for an action scene. They cost about as much as spare battery, less than $100 USD. At one time there were a handful of third party manufacturers selling them.

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

mitchmcc — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:54:44 GMT

Do you mean something like this:

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

Waddizzle — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:56:30 GMT

Yes, exactly like that. Expect a Forum Moderator to come along and delete the link, replacing it with a screenshot.

Also, the Kirk foot does not have those safety screws to keep it from sliding out of a clamp. I think it was a manufacturing oversight. B&H sells two types of the those tiny screws. I had a chat with them to ask which ones were correct, but they didn't seem to know, either. The person I spoke to didn't realize plates were missing the safety screws. I bought a package of each type of screw. I think the two packages came to less than $5 USD.

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

Waddizzle — Fri, 21 May 2021 13:24:26 GMT

Found it.

I don't which one I used, but I found a use almost all of them.

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

jrhoffman75 — Sat, 22 May 2021 09:59:04 GMT

Maybe it was a shipping error (or a production change)?

Re: tripod and gimbal head questions

Waddizzle — Sat, 22 May 2021 17:23:17 GMT

@jrhoffman75 wrote:
Maybe it was a shipping error (or a production change)?

It seems to have been a generous helping of both. I don't think mine was a "one off", either. When I bought it to their attention, the product photos and descriptions at B&H changed immediately withi a few hours.