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Author Topic: Camera/tripod compatibility question  (Read 2075 times)

Greg D

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Camera/tripod compatibility question
« on: January 14, 2009, 09:54:32 pm »

I've been shooting with Canon Rebels (350d, 450d), mostly with 70-300 IS, 28-135 IS and 24-105 f4L lenses.  I've been using a Gitzo 1527 tripod (predecessor to the current 0530, I believe - 3-section legs, only about 40 in. tall w/o column, about 1.6 lbs.) and the small RRS head (BH-25) with the small clamp.  I use an MPR rail with clamp to keep the weight centered over the ball.  When I got it I thought it'd be marginal for the load, but wanted it light and small for backpacking.  Turns out it works like a charm, very solid.  But now I'm considering a 40d or 5d.  Anyone have experience with a setup like this?  Would a 5d and a 24-105 be just too much for this leg-head combo?
Thanks for any insight,

Greg
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BernardLanguillier

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Camera/tripod compatibility question
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2009, 10:03:09 pm »

Quote from: grog13
I've been shooting with Canon Rebels (350d, 450d), mostly with 70-300 IS, 28-135 IS and 24-105 f4L lenses.  I've been using a Gitzo 1527 tripod (predecessor to the current 0530, I believe - 3-section legs, only about 40 in. tall w/o column, about 1.6 lbs.) and the small RRS head (BH-25) with the small clamp.  I use an MPR rail with clamp to keep the weight centered over the ball.  When I got it I thought it'd be marginal for the load, but wanted it light and small for backpacking.  Turns out it works like a charm, very solid.  But now I'm considering a 40d or 5d.  Anyone have experience with a setup like this?  Would a 5d and a 24-105 be just too much for this leg-head combo?

No specific experience with your combo, but it feels like the head is a bit under-sized compared to the rest. I have personnally been getting very good results from a Gitzo 1257 + BH-40 with cameras ranging from a D3 to 4x5.

Cheers,
Bernard

francois

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Camera/tripod compatibility question
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2009, 06:39:18 am »

Quote from: grog13
I've been shooting with Canon Rebels (350d, 450d), mostly with 70-300 IS, 28-135 IS and 24-105 f4L lenses.  I've been using a Gitzo 1527 tripod (predecessor to the current 0530, I believe - 3-section legs, only about 40 in. tall w/o column, about 1.6 lbs.) and the small RRS head (BH-25) with the small clamp.  I use an MPR rail with clamp to keep the weight centered over the ball.  When I got it I thought it'd be marginal for the load, but wanted it light and small for backpacking.  Turns out it works like a charm, very solid.  But now I'm considering a 40d or 5d.  Anyone have experience with a setup like this?  Would a 5d and a 24-105 be just too much for this leg-head combo?
Thanks for any insight,

Greg
A 5D along with the 24-105 is a bit heavier than your current combo. As Bernard said above, the small BH-25 ballhead is probably the weak link. The BH-40 is about 250-300g more than your BH-25, which might be too much for backpacking.
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Francois

fike

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Camera/tripod compatibility question
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2009, 07:19:32 am »

I use a similar setup with my 50D but have a gitzo 1177 ballhead.  I also use the RRS clamps.   It will have some flex, but it will work.  I would suggest a cable release for fine work so that you can allow the system to stabilize without the influence of your hand.  I also put my 100-400 on the setup and it is far more stable than I can handhold, although not perfect.
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Bob Smith

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Camera/tripod compatibility question
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2009, 07:56:28 am »

I have the 0530 with the mid size RRS ball head.  The head easily outweighs the tripod legs.  I use it with a 5D and a variety of lenses.  A 180 macro is probably the largest I use on this setup.  I even use it with a full RRS pano rig on it.  No, it's not the most rock solid heavy duty platform in the world with all that on it, but it is sturdy and plenty functional while being small enough that I can take it places that I'd never carry a larger rig.

Bob Smith
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