On Sat, 21 Feb 2004 07:57:28 -0500, you wrote: >Just got my hands on a Takumar 500/4.5. > >My Bogen 3021 tripod with a 3047 pan head will support the thing, but it is >very subject to vibration when focusing and such. > >So, I'm wondering what needs replacing to help reduce the vibration? The >whole thing, or just the head or legs? > >Thx > >Don
I know the 3021 will handle the load - I use one for my 600/4 which is much heavier than the 500/4.5. I try to keep the bottom leg sections extended as little as possible. There are stiffer and more stable tripods, of course, but the 3021 will handle a heavier load than its rated capacity, and should handle the 500/4.5 fine. I would be tempted to try the Bogen / Manfrotto 3252 Long Lens Support because it's only $46. The lens itself is not perfectly and immovably attached to its own tripod foot, so vibration is inherent. The Long Lens Support adds a second support point which should reduce vibration. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=5545&is=REG I also second the choice of a video head rated to take the weight involved. I have a really old one without any sort of QR system, and it stabilized the 600/4 very well. It's just not as convenient for me as my Wimberley head. But for sure video heads are the support of choice for heavy video cameras - you don't see those guys mounting their camera on a Bogen 3047! I know the 3047 head can't handle a heavy load without undue vibration. I tried the 3047 one outing with the 600/4, and it oscillated and pinged like a tuning fork. I could not shoot at 1/30 at all even with mirror prefire. The 600/4 is more stable on a monopod than on the 3047 head. Plus that silly Bogen octagonal QR plate does not allow any fore-and-aft adjustment of the lens for balance like a long RRS or Kirk base and plate allow. The Wimberley head is my favorite choice. It is mostly stable, and adjustable for perfect lens/camera balance if you get a suitable QR plate and base. But that is probably too expensive an option - budget $650 for head, long QR base, and one long QR plate. There are a couple of lesser-known gimbal style heads also from $300 and up. But I would very much like to have a hands-on demonstration some time with a video head/QR system comparable in price and usability to the Wimberley head. More esoteric attempts: Once I attached a bungee cord between the camera and a tripod leg. It added some minor stability but not really worth the effort because when I got it tight enough to reduce vibration it made positioning the camera difficult. I've also used two tripods, one lens and one camera. Very cumbersome, almost impossible to get the lens pointed in exactly the right direction. I used if for a moon photograph where the moon was fairly low on the horizon. Finally, wooden tripods are nice. I have an old Ries, top of the line. But it is not measurably better than the 3021 for vibration reduction. Just looks more retro cool. -- John Mustarde www.photolin.com
