Can I use a Manfrotto 393 gimbal head with both a heavy telephoto and lighter lenses?
Asked 5/25/2012
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I use a Nikon D7000 with a Sigma 150-500mm for wildlife, mounted on a Manfrotto 055 tripod. A standard 3-way head wouldn’t hold the long lens well, so I switched to a Manfrotto 393 gimbal-style head and leave its mounting rail attached to the telephoto lens for quick setup.
The issue is that I’d also like to use the same tripod/head with lighter lenses, without carrying a second tripod, swapping heads in the field, or removing the rail from the telephoto each time.
Is there a practical way to make the 393 work with lighter lenses too? For example, is there a shorter or different plate/rail that can stay attached to the camera body or lighter lenses and slide into the 393 safely?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
7
The simplest is to buy a second quick release plate. Keep one on your long lens and one on the camera. It looks weird because the second release plate is attached but unused when you have a long lens in use but never got me in trouble.
If you do not find that then you would would have to buy a dual use lens like the ones from Acratech. They are pricier than the Manfrotto but some of their ballheads also work as gimbal heads too.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. The most practical solution is to get a second compatible Manfrotto plate/rail for the 393 and keep it attached to the camera body (or a lighter lens with a tripod collar). Then you can slide either setup into the 393 without swapping heads or removing the telephoto plate.
Manfrotto makes plates in different sizes, so a shorter one may fit better for camera-body use and avoid interfering with the locking lever. If you’re unsure which part fits the 393, contact Manfrotto for the correct spare plate/rail.
That said, several photographers would consider the 393 a less-than-ideal choice for a 150-500mm on a tripod; a solid medium-duty ball head can often handle that lens while also being much more convenient for lighter lenses. But if you want to keep your current setup, a second matching plate/rail is the simplest answer.
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