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Heavy duty tripod head for 500mm lens

Clarky
Posted 05/02/2009 - 03:41 Link
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.

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Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
loskeran
Posted 05/02/2009 - 08:51 Link
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.
Gwyn
Posted 05/02/2009 - 09:06 Link

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
hefty1
Posted 05/02/2009 - 09:42 Link
That's a seriously large tripod head!
Joining the Q
tomkeet
Posted 05/02/2009 - 09:53 Link
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!!
Regards
Tom

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Clarky
Posted 05/02/2009 - 10:09 Link
Gwyn wrote:

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

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
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
Unlocker
Posted 05/02/2009 - 10:25 Link
Don't know where you got the idea from!

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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.
Gwyn
Posted 05/02/2009 - 10:51 Link
Clarky wrote:
[
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

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

If only I had a balcony
Clarky
Posted 05/02/2009 - 13:05 Link
Unlocker wrote:
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.

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

Gwyn wrote:


If only I had a balcony

Hefty seems a very handy fellow, perhaps he can pop over and build you one out of leftover Saab and MX parts
Camera:|K-7|
Pentax Lenses:|DA12-24/f4 ED AL|DA35Ltd Macro|FA31Ltd|FA77Ltd|FA50/1.4|F70-210|FA20-35 f4/AL|A*200/f4 Macro ED|A50/1.7|A50 Macro f2.8|1.7xAF adapter|
Voigtlander|125/f2.5SL Macro APO Lanthar|
Sigma Lenses:|EX DG 100-300 f4|2X & 1.4X TC|
Flashes:|AF540FGZx2|RingFlash AF160FC|
greyhoundman
Posted 05/02/2009 - 13:16 Link
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.
womble
Posted 05/02/2009 - 13:48 Link
Those old 500s are monster lenses. SRS had one for sale just before Christmas when I was there.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.

My website
hefty1
Posted 05/02/2009 - 14:15 Link
Clarky wrote:
Hefty seems a very handy fellow, perhaps he can pop over and build you one out of leftover Saab and MX parts

At times it certainly feels like I have enough of both to make a small outbuilding...
Joining the Q
Unlocker
Posted 05/02/2009 - 14:16 Link
womble wrote:
Those old 500s are monster lenses. SRS had one for sale just before Christmas when I was there.

Probably mine! Traded it in for a 12-24.
womble
Posted 05/02/2009 - 14:29 Link
Unlocker wrote:
womble wrote:
Those old 500s are monster lenses. SRS had one for sale just before Christmas when I was there.

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.
Kris Lockyear
It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head. Henri Cartier-Bresson
Lots of film bodies, a couple of digital ones, too many lenses (mainly older glass) and a Horseman LE 5x4.

My website
LiamD
Posted 05/02/2009 - 20:44 Link
"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
Liam


"Make your hands respond to what your mind demands." Jesse James

Best wide-angle lens? Two steps backward. Look for the 'ah-ha'. Ernst Haas

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