Gimbal amd Flash Mount

[huntersdad]

I just picked up a manfrotto 393 gimbal for my 500. I'm trying to figure out how to mount a flash for wildlife use. I've looked around and haven't seen one built specificaly for that application but I know some of you have done it. What did you use and how's it done?

[Garry Gibson]

I spend some time on birdphotographers.net and Arthur Morris, who I guess is about a noted bird photographer as there is, is saying now he no longer uses a flash arm on his wimberley but uses the hot shoe.

He says its just as effective and not as cumbersome. You might do a search and see what his rationale is.

good luck
GG

[scot079]

I don't own this head but I did stay @ the holiday inn express last night :-) :-) It might be easier and most likely cheaper to DIY something to get a flash up and over your lens.

Get a piece of aluminum/steel and bend it in a vise to reach from the height adjustment holes on the head to a position above and centered over the lens. Determine if the height adjustment holes are tapped (maybe 1/4"-20) so you can just thread a bolt in. Drill/tap a hole in the metal for the off-camera cord to mount. Use captive screws if possible so you don't lose them :-)

[stargazer77517]

I have the same gimble and I made a flsh arm from a strobo frame set up.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg62/Stargazer_54/camera%20equipt/bracketlayout.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg62/Stargazer_54/camera%20equipt/bracketlayout1.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg62/Stargazer_54/camera%20equipt/bracketlayout2.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg62/Stargazer_54/camera%20equipt/bracketmounting.jpg

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg62/Stargazer_54/camera%20equipt/bracketmounting1.jpg

I have since turned the mount in the u shape, in stead of overhead, works much better.

The knobs were made from a bolt ( head cut off)and plastic knobs I bonded to geather with JB weld.
Drilled holes in the flash arm to align with the holes in the gimble side.

[scot079]

^well done!

[Arthur Morris]

I spend some time on birdphotographers.net and Arthur Morris, who I guess is about a noted bird photographer as there is, is saying now he no longer uses a flash arm on his wimberley but uses the hot shoe. He says its just as effective and not as cumbersome. You might do a search and see what his rationale is. Good luck, GG

Hi Gary, Thanks for the mention but you quoted me out of context. I do not use a flash bracket anymore when photographing birds in flight with handheld mid-range telephotos or telephoto zooms like the 400DO or the 100-400 IS L lenses.

I always use the flash bracket when I am working with a big lens on a tripod. :)

[Arthur Morris]

Lots of interesting stuff above but Huntersdad would be far better off with the Mongoose M3.5 and a Gitzo 3530 LS. The Mongoose is light and very efficient; I am betting that it is far superior to either the Manfrotto gimbal head or the home made head above.... I use the m3.5 with my Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS lens. We have the Mongeese and the tripods in stock.

later and love, artie

www.BIRDSASART.com

www.BIRDSASART-blog.com

www.BirdPhotographers.Net

[RPCrowe]

I use my gimbal with the camera resting on top of the interior bracket; rather than below the interior bracket.

It is easier to view the image of the way I have mine set up (although this is not my specific camera/lens combination) than it is for me to explain how I do it.

Generally, I find that this is a much better way to mount the camera than the way that Manfrotto suggests. Even without the flash bracket although it also allows the use of a flash bracket.

I have built this very simple flash bracket out of some aluminum stock (available at any home improvement store). The bracket only weighs an once or two. See self-explanatory image.

By the way, I absolutely love my Manfrotto gimbal. I use it on both my Giottos 8180 tripod and my Manfrotto 681 monopod. Although my largest lens (at the moment) is the 400mm f/5.6L; I have rented and used far larger lenses and the gimbal supports these great hunks of glass and metal with ease!

Here is a comprehensive review of this gimbal mount which also illustrates how I mount my camera without a flash bracket.

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/manfrotto_393/393_1.html

Romy Ocon, the great Philippines bird photographer, also uses this gimbal mount and he uses it with some extremely large lens combinations.

See his "Equipment Tests and Other Photos" gallery. Also, take time to enjoy his wonderful images of Philippine birds.

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone

[PhotosGuy]

Great images! Welcome to POTN, Arthur!