tripod head for largish lenses ...

[ramarren]

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I have two largish R lenses (Elmarit-R 180mm f/2.8 v1 and Telyt-R 250mm f/4 v1) that are rather heavy. They each have a fixed position tripod mount which I use with an Arca-Swiss type lens plate to fit them to my tripod. The problem I'm looking to solve is that this doesn't allow for portrait orientation with my current tripod heads very easily, and that, for handling such large/heavy lenses, my standard ball heads are somewhat awkward. 

 

To solve the rotation problem, I'm thinking of buying the Acratech Universal L Bracket. This would allow me to rotate the lens-camera assembly through 90° easily and can be used with Arca-Swiss adapter plates on both lens and camera body. http://www.acratech.net/l-brackets-and-nodal-rails/universal-l-bracket/

 

For a more appropriate head, I'm considering the Acratech GP or GPS. This head has standard ball head movements and friction adjustment, but can operate as a light duty gimbal head for these heavier lenses. It looks particularly convenient to use with the Universal L Bracket. http://www.acratech.net/ballheads/gp/gp

 

My legs are Feisol CT3442 Tournament CF legs, with a rated capacity of 26 lbs. 

 

Has anyone else used these bits and have any comments about them? I have had good experiences with Acratech products, but if anyone has used these and found some issues with them for my intended use I'd love to hear about it before buying. 

 

thanks!

Edited December 4, 2015 by ramarren

[Winslowe]

ramarren, on 04 Dec 2015 - 08:25, said:

I have two largish R lenses (Elmarit-R 180mm f/2.8 v1 and Telyt-R 250mm f/4 v1) that are rather heavy. They each have a fixed position tripod mount which I use with an Arca-Swiss type lens plate to fit them to my tripod. The problem I'm looking to solve is that this doesn't allow for portrait orientation with my current tripod heads very easily, and that, for handling such large/heavy lenses, my standard ball heads are somewhat awkward. 

 

To solve the rotation problem, I'm thinking of buying the Acratech Universal L Bracket. This would allow me to rotate the lens-camera assembly through 90° easily and can be used with Arca-Swiss adapter plates on both lens and camera body. http://www.acratech.net/l-brackets-and-nodal-rails/universal-l-bracket/

 

For a more appropriate head, I'm considering the Acratech GP or GPS. This head has standard ball head movements and friction adjustment, but can operate as a light duty gimbal head for these heavier lenses. It looks particularly convenient to use with the Universal L Bracket. http://www.acratech.net/ballheads/gp/gp

 

My legs are Feisol CT3442 Tournament CF legs, with a rated capacity of 26 lbs. 

 

Has anyone else used these bits and have any comments about them? I have had good experiences with Acratech products, but if anyone has used these and found some issues with them for my intended use I'd love to hear about it before buying. 

 

thanks!

The fixed bush on these lenses could also be much larger. I use a heavy duty ball head, and just put up with flopping the whole thing over for verticals. The Aratech bracket looks substantial, but you'll want to be sure that your camera swings to the left for verticals, otherwise the weight of the lens can loosen the mounting plate screw, which could be disastrous.

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[ramarren]

The fixed bush on these lenses could also be much larger. I use a heavy duty ball head, and just put up with flopping the whole thing over for verticals. The Aratech bracket looks substantial, but you'll want to be sure that your camera swings to the left for verticals, otherwise the weight of the lens can loosen the mounting plate screw, which could be disastrous.

 

Thanks for responding. I'm not sure what you mean... Which mounting plate screw do you fear might be loosened, and why? 

 

I agree about the fixed tripod mounting on these lenses, it could be both larger and sturdier, considering their weight. I always handle them gently and keep an eye out for anything getting loose. 

 

-- 

I decided to order the gear yesterday and give it a go. I'll report back on how it works out. 

Edited December 6, 2015 by ramarren

[Winslowe]

ramarren, on 06 Dec 2015 - 07:41, said:

Thanks for responding. I'm not sure what you mean... Which mounting plate screw do you fear might be loosened, and why? 

 

I agree about the fixed tripod mounting on these lenses, it could be both larger and sturdier, considering their weight. I always handle them gently and keep an eye out for anything getting loose. 

 

-- 

I decided to order the gear yesterday and give it a go. I'll report back on how it works out. 

I was referring to the Arca-Swiss plate, which screws onto the lens clockwise. If your camera is swung to the right for vertical shooting, the weight of the lens will want to turn it counter-clockwise, potentially loosening the screw. In other words, in the vertical position you want the bottom of the camera on your left side so the weight of the lens will want to turn it clockwise, further tightening the screw. It looks like the bracket you ordered can be used either way, so you should be fine. I'm interested in seeing your report.

[ramarren]

I was referring to the Arca-Swiss plate, which screws onto the lens clockwise. If your camera is swung to the right for vertical shooting, the weight of the lens will want to turn it counter-clockwise, potentially loosening the screw. In other words, in the vertical position you want the bottom of the camera on your left side so the weight of the lens will want to turn it clockwise, further tightening the screw. It looks like the bracket you ordered can be used either way, so you should be fine. I'm interested in seeing your report.

 

Thanks, that makes sense. 

 

I'm currently using Induro PU-50 A-S compatible plates for these lenses (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/659041-REG/Induro_459_050_PU_50_Slide_In_Quick_Release.html). These plates have thin rubber gripping surfaces, the points of which stand about a half-mm proud of the plate surface. They crush to flat when the plate is fitted and snugged down, and contact the tripod mounting lug on the Elmarit-R 180 and Telyt-R 250 in four quadrants. They provide very strong anti-rotation protection: properly snugged to the mount, I cannot twist the plate on the lens with any reasonable force (lens and camera in clamp on tripod, try to twist by pushing at the ends of lens/camera assembly). I can ultimately make them twist, but it takes a lot of force to do so, far more than would ever be supplied by gravity or normal handling. 

 

If this ever turns to be a problem, I have another solution that will provide absolutely secure mounting to a plate: 

• Have special tripod mount securing bolts manufactured that stands 0.75mm proud of the flat tripod mounting surface on the lenses. One per lens. 
• Take simple, flat lens plates and have a notch milled that is the width of the tripod mount bolt head and 1mm deep. Put two of them in so that you can fit the plate with the notch in either longitudinal or transverse orientation.

My machinist friend can whip up these bits in a few minutes for very little cost. The advantage to producing these would not only perfect security and anti-rotation fitment but would also assure perfect alignment either with or at 90° to the lens axis. I'll have them made if I find I need them... I'm kind of a stickler for details like this. 

[Winslowe]

ramarren, on 06 Dec 2015 - 10:53, said:

Thanks, that makes sense. 

 

I'm currently using Induro PU-50 A-S compatible plates for these lenses (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/659041-REG/Induro_459_050_PU_50_Slide_In_Quick_Release.html). These plates have thin rubber gripping surfaces, the points of which stand about a half-mm proud of the plate surface. They crush to flat when the plate is fitted and snugged down, and contact the tripod mounting lug on the Elmarit-R 180 and Telyt-R 250 in four quadrants. They provide very strong anti-rotation protection: properly snugged to the mount, I cannot twist the plate on the lens with any reasonable force (lens and camera in clamp on tripod, try to twist by pushing at the ends of lens/camera assembly). I can ultimately make them twist, but it takes a lot of force to do so, far more than would ever be supplied by gravity or normal handling. 

 

If this ever turns to be a problem, I have another solution that will provide absolutely secure mounting to a plate: 

• Have special tripod mount securing bolts manufactured that stands 0.75mm proud of the flat tripod mounting surface on the lenses. One per lens. 
• Take simple, flat lens plates and have a notch milled that is the width of the tripod mount bolt head and 1mm deep. Put two of them in so that you can fit the plate with the notch in either longitudinal or transverse orientation.

My machinist friend can whip up these bits in a few minutes for very little cost. The advantage to producing these would not only perfect security and anti-rotation fitment but would also assure perfect alignment either with or at 90° to the lens axis. I'll have them made if I find I need them... I'm kind of a stickler for details like this. 

Great, though with the ball head you should be fine. If only these manufacturers would think like photographers!