Heavy duty tripod head for 500mm lens

I picked up this Manfrotto 116 video head to use with my Pentax Takumar 500mm 4.5. Its a monster of a head and weighs 2.5kgs on its own and holds up to 20kgs. The quick release plate is around 5" by 4"inches wide It has 2 15inch long handles which splay out to either side and feels like you are riding a motorcycle when moving it about.

It works great and is deffinately more sturdy than my previous setup. But I would'nt advise carrying it around for any length of time.

I got it for $25 from my local classified mag. A bargain I must say.

Either take up body building, or higher a camera crew to carry it for you.
There is one other option , get closer.
Very impressive though.

Make sure your tripod can take the combined weight of that monster and the Bigma!
Don't the handles get in the way?
Think I'll stick to my Markins ball-head

That's a seriously large tripod head!

Interesting combination and heavy! Looked at quite a few combinations for my Sigma 50-500, but decided to use the Manfrotto 393 and my DIY Gimbal. Hoping to give them a good test as the weather improves!!

I was thinking I may have to upgrade to a sturdier tripod but the 055 seems to handle it ok if I don't use the centre post.

The handles can be moved down and out of the way or taken off completly if I so wish.

I will mainly use it from my rear balcony for birds and moon pics and will eventually mount it directly to the balustrade which is 3" box steel. $25 well spent I reckon

Don't know where you got the idea from!




Seriously though, cracking bargain there, but I would get something sturdier than the 055, mine just felt way too top heavy!

Those arms are handy for strapping a wired remote to though, pan and find the target with one hand, focus with the other, then hit the remote button to take the shot. Takes a bit of practice but easy when you are used to it.

Now that is a brilliant idea Clarky! And it is of course an absolute bargain.

If only I had a balcony

I must confess Danny I did refer back to your post several times when I was in the market for a sturdy head. But I couldn't justify the outlay for the 503 you purchased. My $25 paupers head will suffice for now Thanks for the tip with the remote


Hefty seems a very handy fellow, perhaps he can pop over and build you one out of leftover Saab and MX parts

Now that would be much easier to control than my Manfrotto 268 super ballhead. And it's probably lighter too.

And I love the idea of the remote on one of the handles right under your thumb.

Those old 500s are monster lenses. SRS had one for sale just before Christmas when I was there.

At times it certainly feels like I have enough of both to make a small outbuilding...

Probably mine! Traded it in for a 12-24.

I went for the 12-24mm too. It has got more use already than the 500mm would have done although in the "my toy is bigger then your toy" stakes it would be a winner.

"although in the "my toy is bigger then your toy" stakes it would be a winner. "

http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/zooms/long/K135-600f6.7.html

Mannesty wins that one then..

If only I'd had another fiver.....

Cheers

Liam