Long Lens Support Package by RRS

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=CB-YS-QR-Pkg&type=3&eq=CB-YS-QR-Pkg-001&desc=Lens-Support-Pkg%2c-dual-Quick-Release&key=ait

Does anyone have any experiences or opinions on Really Right Stuff's long lens support package? I'll be using it with the Canon 500mm F4 version I and a 1.4 T/C version II on a Wimberley Gimbal version II and a Gitzo 3540 tripod if purchased.

Other than the cost I'm concerned with it raising the center of gravity. Does the support really work or is it a gimmick?

I've searched the archives a bit and haven't found anything conclusive.

Thanks in advance,

Roger

replaces the Canon foot. I have the 500mm with TX and Wimberely and you don't need the rest of that stuff for this lens.

--dennis

Thanks for your input Dennis, I have the RRS replacement foot already and one of the things I appreciate about it is the lower center of gravity.

Regards,

Roger

I have to say that it's a lovely idea but I've not seen it in use anywhere.

I've shot in a lot of large groups of super telephoto lens users but no luck in seeing this particular package yet. We're heading to the Rio Grande area of Texas in March for a wildlife photo conference so I might see one there.

You might ask RRS for a reference to someone who would be willing to discuss it. Joe is a pretty easy guy for things like that.

Fred

I use the standard Canon foot with a first generation Wimberley gimbal mount & plate on my 500+1.4x and it works fine. I don't see any need for the extra support. The marvel of the Wimberley is that you can slide the lens back and forth in the quick release mechanism to give you perfect balance.

Thanks for the feedback Fred.

I haven't personally seen one in use either. If it makes an improvement in picture quality then I'm all for it.

I read the Thom Hogan article mentioned by RRS in reference to this support package and apparently Nikon's lens mount system on the 200-400 lens and other super telephotos are a little wobbly and this package really helps with that issue. I took your advice and reached out to RRS with an email, I'll see what they respond with.

Regards,

Roger

fredlord said:

I have to say that it's a lovely idea but I've not seen it in use anywhere.

I've shot in a lot of large groups of super telephoto lens users but no luck in seeing this particular package yet. We're heading to the Rio Grande area of Texas in March for a wildlife photo conference so I might see one there.

You might ask RRS for a reference to someone who would be willing to discuss it. Joe is a pretty easy guy for things like that.

Fred

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response CameraCarl. I also use the Wimberley (version II) and love it, it's amazing how it tames such a large lens in that it can be literally positioned with one finger when correctly balanced.

I have noticed slight image quality improvements when putting my left hand over the top of the lens while releasing the shutter. Joel Sartore (National Geographic) mentioned doing this during a class I took and Moose Peterson mentions doing this also. Something about dampening lens vibrations from the shutter.

http://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/?p=7257

I wonder if this support package helps with this or maybe it's a Nikon thing, they both shoot Nikon....

Regards,

Roger

CameraCarl said:

I use the standard Canon foot with a first generation Wimberley gimbal mount & plate on my 500+1.4x and it works fine. I don't see any need for the extra support. The marvel of the Wimberley is that you can slide the lens back and forth in the quick release mechanism to give you perfect balance.

Click to expand...

I have purchased several items from RRS and have always been completely satisfied. Their products are always well engineered with an excellent finish. Many of their employees are photographers.

I know of the product that you are interested in, but do not own it.

My suggestion is telephone RRS on 001-805-528-6321 and ask for Casey he is very helpful.

Thanks for the input Brian. I'm going to wait on the email response and then take it from there. I appreciate the contact information, I will use it depending on the email and subsequent thoughts.

I own and use RRS stuff also, no complaints on quality, top stuff.

Regards,

Roger

Brian Rees said:

I have purchased several items from RRS and have always been completely satisfied. Their products are always well engineered with an excellent finish. Many of their employees are photographers.

I know of the product that you are interested in, but do not own it.

My suggestion is telephone RRS on 001-805-528-6321 and ask for Casey he is very helpful.

Click to expand...

Once you get abrasive dirt on those wheels they'll chafe the lens barrel.

I don't see a need for that item. The handle/foot on these lenses are very robust and obviously designed to carry the load.



Regards

That's kind of what I'm thinking at the moment, kind of an overkill. I can see where it would be helpful on the Nikkors with their unconventional tripod collar design.

Thanks for the input,

Roger

Aperaturewise said:

Once you get abrasive dirt on those wheels they'll chafe the lens barrel.

I don't see a need for that item. The handle/foot on these lenses are very robust and obviously designed to carry the load.



Regards

Click to expand...

I don't have that big a lens or that support .

I do have a gimbal head and RRS Qr plate , but it is mounted on a bogen long lens support . The reason is you can mount a flash shoe on each side . I have 2 led lites and 2 flashes , but the flash is just to get attention — fire it and most of time what ever will look towards you . Sometimes even bugs .
--
1st - it's a hobby

XTI - gripped , Canon - efs 10-22 , efs 17-55 , efs 18-55 IS , 28-90 , 28 @ 2.8 , 50 @1.8 , 28-135 IS , 35-350L ,Quantaray lens 70-300 macro , life size converter , KSM filters for all , kenko auto tubes , EF 25 , 7D , 70-200 MK II IS , 2X III

Thanks for the input tonyjr. I've seen that support and find it interesting but limited, limited in that it locks everything down. I'll be shooting birds next month and I'll definitely be needing the full movement range of the gimbal.

Regards,

Roger

tonyjr said:

I don't have that big a lens or that support .

I do have a gimbal head and RRS Qr plate , but it is mounted on a bogen long lens support . The reason is you can mount a flash shoe on each side . I have 2 led lites and 2 flashes , but the flash is just to get attention — fire it and most of time what ever will look towards you . Sometimes even bugs .
--
1st - it's a hobby

XTI - gripped , Canon - efs 10-22 , efs 17-55 , efs 18-55 IS , 28-90 , 28 @ 2.8 , 50 @1.8 , 28-135 IS , 35-350L ,Quantaray lens 70-300 macro , life size converter , KSM filters for all , kenko auto tubes , EF 25 , 7D , 70-200 MK II IS , 2X III

Click to expand...

With a gimbal head like the Wimberley Gimbal and a long dove tail mounted on the lens foot you should already be able to ballance the lens perfectly.

I think the RRS long lens support is most for when only using a ball head where you need to balance the mass of your gear over the head so that it will not tuble over (and hurt your fingers .

Rgds/Kjeld

--
Kjeld Olesen
http://www.acapixus.dk

I cant see needing it for a 500mm lens! I have toyed with the idea of buying it for the 800mm lens, but no way you should need it for a 500mm even with a 1.4X TC. If you are using 500mm with 2X TC maybe.

Bill
--
Too much glass...too little time

shutterbug nut said:

I have noticed slight image quality improvements when putting my left hand over the top of the lens while releasing the shutter. Joel Sartore (National Geographic) mentioned doing this during a class I took and Moose Peterson mentions doing this also. Something about dampening lens vibrations from the shutter.

Click to expand...

If you can use Live View Silent Shooting, there is even less vibration than MLU with 2 sec delay. MLU still has shutter vibration.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1032&message=35473092

In live view the mirror is up and so is the shutter. The exposure is triggered purely electronically, there is absolutely no vibration from the mirror or shutter. Check out your manual, its a feature that has to be turned on in the 40D, 50D, 60D, 7D, 5DII and is always on in the Rebels that have live view.
Mike K

Acratech seems to be heavier and knob controlling pan/tilt may not be as large/easy to use...and it costs (list) a heck of a lot more. Anyone used both and can comment if the Acratech is worth the extra $s?

I use on my gimbal , I have the older 6 sided bogen Quick release and used the 625 pancake adapter . Locking the camera to gimbal - just stupid to me - so everything is adapted to take the one QR plate on camera . The bogen long lens support was easier to adapt to the RRS on gimbal [ Left there with the flash adapter ]. All my tripods and monopods have the 6 sided bogen Quick release heads or pancake QR .
I even mounted the pancakes on my 2 rails

Oh - one thing you might consider - most of my stuff if mounted with plastic screws - that gives a point to absorb the shock and a breaking point instead of everything being solid and something has to bend or break to absorb the energy . I get mine from TAP plastic
--
1st - it's a hobby

XTI - gripped , Canon - efs 10-22 , efs 17-55 , efs 18-55 IS , 28-90 , 28 @ 2.8 , 50 @1.8 , 28-135 IS , 35-350L ,Quantaray lens 70-300 macro , life size converter , KSM filters for all , kenko auto tubes , EF 25 , 7D , 70-200 MK II IS , 2X III

I don't think it would help on the Wimberley. You'd still have the vibration issues and need to put your hand out on the lens when everything was locked down. This thing is obviously for ball head users trying to save some money by not buying a good gimbal. I disliked using the 500f/4 on a ball head. It was cumbersome and dangerous.

The other thing would be... could you still adjust the Wimberley properly with that gizmo under the lens. You might run out of room on the vertical support.

shutterbug nut said:

http://reallyrightstuff.com/ProductDesc.aspx?code=CB-YS-QR-Pkg&type=3&eq=CB-YS-QR-Pkg-001&desc=Lens-Support-Pkg%2c-dual-Quick-Release&key=ait

Other than the cost I'm concerned with it raising the center of gravity. Does the support really work or is it a gimmick?

I've searched the archives a bit and haven't found anything conclusive.

Thanks in advance,

Roger

Click to expand...

Apparently, I'm the only person in the dpreview universe who's actually using the RRS long lens support package. I use it with my Nikon 600 VR on the wimberly II on a Gitzo 410 (thinking of upgrading to some form of CF, but I'm tall and finding something to replace the 410 with less weight is proving hard).

I've been using it since November. I can't tell you anything I would consider definitive yet, I'm still engaged in testing it. But, the comments on this thread seem most strange to me, things like you won't be able to balance it on a wimberly (you can balance anything, that's how a wimberly works, you just have to adjust the position), or it's mostly to avoid a gimbal for use on a ball head (wtf ???).

Here are my thoughts. The LLP is designed to reduce vibrations inherent in any cantilevered system (by definition, an inherently unstable system), particularly one that by its very nature produces vibrations during operation of the mirror and shutter that are perfect for propagation down and back along the cantilevered element (the lens). When you wrap in the magnification factor inherent in the optical elements here, all these vibrations are pretty important. My own testing on my ball head using test targets suggest the effects of mirror slap are massive, enough to completely destroy the incredible sharpness and contrast achievable with my truly awesome 600 VR when shot with the mirror up.

When you read the advice of the pros like Joe MacDonald, you hear the suggestion to put sand bags on top of the lens barrel (complete with shots of Joe doing that back in the 90s). Moose Peterson and others suggest you damp this vibration by placing an eye cup on your eyepiece, the better to couple the mass of the camera against your head, then place your free hand over the top of the far end of the lens barrel (on the tripod mount on my 600), again all to damp the vibration of the mirror slap (I do all that). Given this, the concept of the LLP struck me as the next logical step, so I wanted to try it. Note I believe that the mega lenses made by both Canon (1200 mm) and Nikon (the 1200 to 1700 zoom) both essentially come with a tripod mount that is similar in that it closes the circuit on both ends just like the RRS LLP (ie, non-cantilevered mount). Note also the widespread mockery of the stock lens mounts that both companies put on their long lenses.

The LLP is heavy, very solid, like most RRS stuff. I use a lens coat on my 600, so that takes care of scratching from the metal wheels of the LLP and helps couple and damp further. I have begun testing with and without the LLP, and really have nothing definitive yet. But, I like the concept of the LLP and I like the feel of it, it gives the whole apparatus a very locked down feel that intuitively strikes me as a good idea. My experience so far is (unsurprisingly) it is challenging indeed to get the best from lenses longer than 300 because of shake, so anything that seems promising is something I'll try. My 4 cents.