Red Ring Tupperware Photography & Tinfoil Talk (15)

Lightstream wrote in post #8575999
Ahh.. got it. I would probably still stick the ball on just for a bit more flexibility since I am not planning on buying this head. It would be bare pod or Q3 ballhead for me.

A ballhead will certainly work...especially one that already has your required clamp system in place. I use the 3229 simply for weight issues. A ballhead is going to add some bulk to your package...and if you are carrying it all day....every little bit helps.

Woolburr wrote in post #8576084
A ballhead will certainly work...especially one that already has your required clamp system in place. I use the 3229 simply for weight issues. A ballhead is going to add some bulk to your package...and if you are carrying it all day....every little bit helps.

I'm using a ball head on my monopod. I also use Arca-Swiss dovetail mounts on everything. It just makes like a little easier.

Woolburr wrote in post #8576084
A ballhead will certainly work...especially one that already has your required clamp system in place. I use the 3229 simply for weight issues. A ballhead is going to add some bulk to your package...and if you are carrying it all day....every little bit helps.

I think it'll be ok. Sure beats handholding the rig the whole day, or the alternative is to carry a full tripod - which is much heavier anyway!

I have the Manfrotto 679B, which is a nice light monopod, yet sturdy enough for the applications I have in mind for it.

I use the same ballhead/quick release on my monopod that I do with my tripod, so that my two bodies and lenses can just have the same plates, and the monopod has the fluidity. Heavier, of course, but, well, that's the way it goes.

Belmondo wrote in post #8576109
I'm using a ball head on my monopod. I also use Arca-Swiss dovetail mounts on everything. It just makes like a little easier.

A-S rocks.... the first open, industry-standard quick release system.

As we say "multivendor interoperability is a good thing".

Woolburr wrote in post #8575796
No such luck...did a recovery on every SD card I own...all 241 missing numbers are gone....recovery finds no trace other than the one missing video. Currently finishing up doing all the CF cards I used....but that is looking no better.

That sucks. What recovery program are you using?

Woolburr wrote in post #8575898
I honestly don't know...I took great pains to make sure that I had two back-ups of everything...one on the laptop and one on the external HD...plus the cards themselves...very bizarre...I was trying very hard to be extra careful and I still end up screwed.

Have you thought of trying to run the recovery on the external HD?

Lightstream wrote in post #8576138
As we say "multivendor interoperability is a good thing".

Not for manufacturers.

Lightstream wrote in post #8576138
A-S rocks.... the first open, industry-standard quick release system.

As we say "multivendor interoperability is a good thing".

I converted everything a couple years ago. I had been using Manfrotto RC2 (I think) on most all my equipment, but when I started using the Wimberly mount, I had to use Arca-Swiss on it. I decided I might as well convert everything.

My problem now is finding Arca plates. Most camera stores don't stock them, including Samy's which is a big operation. Of course I can get them from B&H, but that's a hassle.

In fact, I have to get a Kirk L-Bracket for the 5D2. I have a little 1" X 1" plate on the bottom of the body, and it doesn't look or feel right. (It works, though.)

Hmm...I use RC2 stuff. I figured if I get a 500 or 600 I'd just get a Wimberly mount for a second tripod (which I have) and have plates for the Wimberly on the big glass, but RC2 on everything else, including my monopod. But I haven't really delved into it all.

tonylong wrote in post #8576373
Hmm...I use RC2 stuff. I figured if I get a 500 or 600 I'd just get a Wimberly mount for a second tripod (which I have) and have plates for the Wimberly on the big glass, but RC2 on everything else, including my monopod. But I haven't really delved into it all.

I thought about that, too, but it breaks down on a lens like the 300 f/2.8. It's definitely not comfortable on a ball head, and really needs the gimbal mount. It also works very well on a monopod, though. So, do I carry two monopods, one for the Arca Swiss, and another for everything else?

In this case, Arca Swiss is the lowest common denominator, and it works well, too. The other advantage of Arca Swiss is the abilitiy to slide a lens or bady along the axis of the plate to achieve better balance. You can't do that with a QR system.

I just have a simple tripod....one of those manfrotto 190CXPROB and an 804RC2 head....or something like that

Woolburr wrote in post #8574454
Recovered the video I shot of the Royal Gorge trip...

that's good. Hope you get everything else back too.

Lightstream wrote in post #8575639
Yikes. Take it easy....

W00l, do you use a ballhead with your monopod? I still have not worked out a good monopod workflow since the vast majority of the time, I am either handholding or bring the full set of sticks and that inevitably means ballhead. Yup...100-400 on the tripod..

I do. Actually since I bought the acra-tec head for my tripod I use the benro that I bought from you on my monopod. Works really well & takes the same sort of plate as the acra-tec. Though I seem to have lost one of my plates. Blast it.

Permagrin wrote in post #8576501
that's good. Hope you get everything else back too.

I do. Actually since I bought the acra-tec head for my tripod I use the benro that I bought from you on my monopod. Works really well & takes the same sort of plate as the acra-tec. Though I seem to have lost one of my plates. Blast it.

I have a couple of the Acra Tech heads. They're delicate-looking, but they work very well.

Belmondo wrote in post #8576540
I have a couple of the Acra Tech heads. They're delicate-looking, but they work very well.

they do. I like them. I cannot figure out what I did with mine.

Belmondo wrote in post #8576444
I thought about that, too, but it breaks down on a lens like the 300 f/2.8. It's definitely not comfortable on a ball head, and really needs the gimbal mount. It also works very well on a monopod, though. So, do I carry two monopods, one for the Arca Swiss, and another for everything else?

In this case, Arca Swiss is the lowest common denominator, and it works well, too. The other advantage of Arca Swiss is the abilitiy to slide a lens or bady along the axis of the plate to achieve better balance. You can't do that with a QR system.

Well, food for thought -- I did fine with the 300 and RC2 ballheads on the monopod and tripod, but knew I'd have to do differently if I moved into the bigger stuff. For now I don't have to think about it, since I'm stuck with the 100-400 for the forseeable future.

But, tell me -- if you were advising someone who is looking at getting into birding/wildlife (I get these kind of questions once in a while) would you advise them to get into the Wimberly/Arca Swiss setup right off the bat? What would be a good "starter" kit there?

tonylong wrote in post #8576603
Well, food for thought -- I did fine with the 300 and RC2 ballheads on the monopod and tripod, but knew I'd have to do differently if I moved into the bigger stuff. For now I don't have to think about it, since I'm stuck with the 100-400 for the forseeable future.

But, tell me -- if you were advising someone who is looking at getting into birding/wildlife (I get these kind of questions once in a while) would you advise them to get into the Wimberly/Arca Swiss setup right off the bat? What would be a good "starter" kit there?

If you think you're going to get seriously involved in birding, you'll probably buy big glass someday. Until you do, though, there's no sense spending money on a Wimberly. They are large and ungainly, and unless you really need it, they are definite overkill. If the 100-400 is the biggest lens you are currently using, you certainly don't need it now, and are probably better off without it.