Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22

Thread: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

  1. #1
    Eric Woodbury
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1,637

    FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    Several times I have referenced a lens/camera support that I use for the Nikkor telephotos -- 600mm and 800mm. It works very well and I thought maybe someone else would get some use from this idea. The pictures are below.

    The camera I use is a Deardorff 57. This little support is made from common aluminum that you could find at the hardware store. It is pop-rivetted together. The slot is such that it slides between the camera and the tripod head. The little wooden block on the end is just the right height to support the front of the Deardorff. It is not attached to the camera except by gravity. As the Deardorff focuses in the rear, the front support can be minimal and need not move. I suppose if you didn't have a rear focus, you could make a longer support in the front with a slippery surface on which the front standard might rest. The support weighs 200 gr.

  2. #2
    アナログ侘・寂
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Croatia
    Posts
    133

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    Thanks for the info, Eric... Might come handy one day, and I always appreciate DIY solutions

    Denis

  3. #3
    Donald Qualls's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    1,092

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    Nice work, Eric -- looks well made, as well as well thought out. That one definitely goes into the bag of tricks for another day...
    If a contact print at arm's length is too small to see, you need a bigger camera. :D

  4. #4

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    I have a 42" Red Dot Artar that I have been relegated to a second tripod to support it as the lens weights about 6#. To be able to use one of these devices would be great but it would probably be to long and subject to deflection. I would have to get out my Strengths of Materials Engineering book to evaluate the situation and college was a loooong time ago.

    Cheers!

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    2,474

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    Your suspicions are correct, Michael. This solution is not for all lenses and is surely limited by its own construction. The second tripod is a much better support as it impedes the torque of the camera + lens on one support point only.

  6. #6
    Eric Woodbury
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    1,637

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    GPS if the center of gravity of camera/lens is above the center of the tripod, there is no net torque.

    Michael, as the I-beams under the aluminum top get taller, their stiffness goes up by the square (I think). I.e., make the beams a litte bigger for a lot more stiffness. I don't know how you camera is configured to know if you can achieve the above condition of zero torque, but some cameras allow sliding the tripod mounting position backwards/forwards.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    2,474

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    Eric, you forget that for these focal lengths the wind gives the torque - that's why I say that 2 points are the solution. You can have a perfectly balanced system still turning on 1 point with ease.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    2,474

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Woodbury View Post
    GPS if the center of gravity of camera/lens is above the center of the tripod, there is no net torque.
    In fact, you don't even want to have a perfectly balanced system in this way! In that way you would have a system prone to the vibrations with the smallest torque effort! If you have just one point of tripod mounting you would have much better stability with a slightly eccentric tripod mounting.

  9. #9

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    As a compromise to carrying a second tripod, I often use a trekking pole that is designed to be used as a lightweight monopod for the point-n-shoot crowd (comes with a built-in 1/4-20 stud). I started using trekking poles for hiking several years ago anyway, so why not have one serve double duty. This lets me use a reasonably light tripod (Gitzo 1325) and ballhead (ARCA-SWISS B1), but still get more stability than a single massive tripod and head weighing several times as much. Since I use an ARCA-SWISS camera, I use a second short (10cm) extension bracket to attach the trekking/monopod to the front area of the rail just under the lens.

    Here's a photo of this set-up with my 4x5 ARCA-SWISS and an 800mm Nikkor T-ED:



    I also use this set-up with my 7x17 Franken-ARCA with long and/or heavy lenses.

    For even more stability, I wrap an elastic bungee cord around the rail between the tripod and monopod, pull it tight and stand on the other end. This loading of the system adds stability without carrying more weight or bulk (I use these bungee cords to strap stuff to my pack, so I already have a couple with me).

    Of course, a two tripod set-up is even more stable, and the second tripod doesn't have to be big and massive. When close to the car, if necessary, I will use my lightweight Gitzo 1227 backpacking tripod instead of the trekking/monopod to support the front of the rig.

    Kerry

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Posts
    2,474

    Re: FYI: Camera support for heavy lenses

    A lovely system! In fact, I often wondered why there isn't anything like a "bi-pod" on the market. Leaned against your body (as a monopod should also be) it would in many cases replace a tripod for longer exposures. Must yet have a tripod that I would like to mutilate to a bipod...

Similar Threads

  1. Such thing as field camera with geared movements?
    By Terence Patrick in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 12-Mar-2013, 10:33
  2. The Horseman HD45 - For a first time LF camera is it good?
    By Peter Skov in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 10-Aug-2004, 05:35
  3. sharpness about macro lenses for 8x10 inches camera
    By alec jeser in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 29-Jan-2002, 16:43
  4. Ebony Camera - what a beauty! A first time user's comments - long post.
    By Peter Brown in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 22-Oct-2001, 19:09
  5. Impressions: Cambo wide w/47mm XL - A 4x5 point-and-shoot?
    By Simon_443 in forum Cameras & Camera Accessories
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 12-Apr-1999, 09:49

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •