ball head for 400mm f/2.8, low light shooting

[deblur]

I'm going to be renting a 400mm f/2.8 for an event next month. It will be low-light shooting, mostly around ISO1600, 1/20 to 1/40 sec probably, or whatever I can keep the lens steady at. The main problem will actually be vibrations due to wind as it'll be in an exposed location.

I've just bought a new (second hand) heavy-duty tripod, it's a Gitzo G1411. I'm just trying to decide if I need a new tripod head, and if so what the most suitable one would be.

I already have a Manfrotto 486 RC2 which I use on my existing lightweight CF tripod and monopod, and works great for most stuff (heaviest I usually use is a 70-200). I think it'll be pushing it to the limits though to use the 400mm with this...

So I'm thinking of getting something like the Manfrotto 488 RC2 (which should take the weight anyway). I know there are better heads like Arca Swiss for about ten times the price, but I'm looking for something that will do the job of holding steady without breaking the bank. I'm pretty much just buying the head for the event, and may use it infrequently in the future, as I don't own any such heavy lenses myself. Any ideas if it will do the job?

[tkoutdoor]

I'm going to be renting a 400mm f/2.8 for an event next month. It will be low-light shooting, mostly around ISO1600, 1/20 to 1/40 sec probably, or whatever I can keep the lens steady at. The main problem will actually be vibrations due to wind as it'll be in an exposed location.

I've just bought a new (second hand) heavy-duty tripod, it's a Gitzo G1411. I'm just trying to decide if I need a new tripod head, and if so what the most suitable one would be.

I already have a Manfrotto 486 RC2 which I use on my existing lightweight CF tripod and monopod, and works great for most stuff (heaviest I usually use is a 70-200). I think it'll be pushing it to the limits though to use the 400mm with this...

So I'm thinking of getting something like the Manfrotto 488 RC2 (which should take the weight anyway). I know there are better heads like Arca Swiss for about ten times the price, but I'm looking for something that will do the job of holding steady without breaking the bank. I'm pretty much just buying the head for the event, and may use it infrequently in the future, as I don't own any such heavy lenses myself. Any ideas if it will do the job?If it's only for one use, could you rent a 1st rate head instead?

[drjiveturkey]

I wouldnt recommend a ballhead. When I had mine I put it on a Markin M20 which can support the weight fine. The only problem was when trying to move that sucker around. You can loosing the ball head but the weight of it makes it flop around. Even if you use the friction control knob, it takes SO much friction to keep it in place that it's very stiff to move.

I would either rent or buy a Bogen Gimbal ($200) or a full wimberly gimbal $500. You can get a sidekick too for your ballhead but then you would also need a replacement foot for the lens to make it lower profile.

[deblur]

If it's only for one use, could you rent a 1st rate head instead?

yeah I'd been wondering that... though Calumet (who the lens is being rented from) only seem to rent tripods+heads together (they have either gitzo or manfrotto gear available, I assume they are the same brand of heads). And as the combined cost is more than half of buying the manfrotto head it didn't seem worth it... but I'm looking to see if I can get a decent head second hand! It may always come in handy in the future.

[deblur]

I would either rent or buy a Bogen Gimbal ($200) or a full wimberly gimbal $500. You can get a sidekick too for your ballhead but then you would also need a replacement foot for the lens to make it lower profile.

yeah the gimbal sounds like a nice option, but more expense! Sure if I could rent one that would be a good option, but I'll probably put up with the ball head as the action won't be moving about too fast. The main thing is it holds solid in the wind when I'm taking the shot.

hmm, well I have just impulse bought an old Arca Swiss head on eBay. It seems to be the "original" version described here:
http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00M1GL
came without a mounting plate, but was for a bargain price. Let's see how smooth it is when gets delivered. So now I need to find a suitable quick release plate that doesn't cost more than the head did...

[René Damkot]

This gimbal (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/126663-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3421_3421_Heavy_Tele_Lens.html)is more economically priced...

[drjiveturkey]

For me, the 400 2.8 IS was pretty hard to control with a ball head and it's lighter than the original 2.8 non IS. If I didn't have enough friction it would gravitate toward the sides. Enough friction to prevent it from moving by itself made it tough to move at all.

If you really insist of using a ball head the I suggest doing the following. Put the ball in Potrait position and unlock the panning lever. That way you can pan and tilt the lens along a central axis. Doing this made it a little easier before I just shelled out the money for a gimble.

Just make sure you don't walk away and move the lens back to the top and lock the ballhead if you do.

Good luck to you.

[deblur]

If you really insist of using a ball head the I suggest doing the following. Put the ball in Potrait position and unlock the panning lever. That way you can pan and tilt the lens along a central axis. Doing this made it a little easier before I just shelled out the money for a gimble.


thanks for the tip, I'll probably try doing that. I'll be locking it down after repositioning between shots, and using a cable release anyway. Now just need to find a reasonable mounting plate, probably a large generic one for now...