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leon
13-09-2009, 11:59 AM
Hi Guys, as many of you may know I became the lucky owner of a Canon 500mm F/4.0 L IS USM Lens a few weeks ago, I did post it here as well. :D

Anyway I also posted a pic of the Gimble Mount that I had made, to hold this monster of a lens, coming in at nearly 5.0 KG's.

Well here are some pics of the mounted lens on the Gimble, which can be moved in any direction with a finger tip, the Lens is totally weightless, and can be moved instantly to any subject or follow birds in flight.

I added a replacement foot from Kirk Enterprises, to the lens and a Kirk quick release plate to the Gimble, this allows the lens to be removed in about 3 seconds.

Anyway have a look and see what you think, the first pic is of a Gimble mount which retails at about $600.00, :eyepop: I made mine for the price of 4 mower wheel bearings and scrap steel, and a couple of hours in the shed, for $27.00. ;)

Leon :thumbsup:
erick
13-09-2009, 12:03 PM
Very impressive, Leon. Looks the treat!
dugnsuz
13-09-2009, 12:29 PM
That looks the business leon!
Very ingenuous and well executed - looks very professional too.
Doug
g__day
13-09-2009, 12:37 PM
Wow that looks nice!
Octane
13-09-2009, 12:45 PM
Leon,

That looks awesome! As others have said, looks very professional.

Is there any lateral movement or is it quite stiff? Any dampening time required?

lol, you can now piggyback an ED80 on there for autoguiding. :P

Regards,
Humayun
leon
13-09-2009, 01:32 PM
Thanks Guys, for your comments, Humayun the Gimble is very stiff indeed with no movement at all in the bearings department.

Slight vibration in the entire head, but that is not an issue, as one holds the camera and swings to any angle, hence the vibration are transfered to my grip

I have tested the swing arm on the support plate with 20 KG's of lead in a block form and it is still finger tip controlled, and ED 80 on top who be very happy.

Leon
dpastern
13-09-2009, 01:32 PM
Looks pretty neat, good job on the gyro. Can I ask how much you paid for the lens, it looks in immaculate condition.

Dave
leon
13-09-2009, 01:45 PM
You can David, and it is perfect, both optically and cosmetic, as you said not a mark to be seen. ;)

It is just over two years old and I got it from a IIS member, and after a short haggle got it down to $6200.00 :D currently they are selling at Michaels Camera house for $9999.00, but you can get them from Discount Digital Photographic for $9455.00 plus $26.00 shipping, if they are available in Australia though, could be a long wait.

Leon :thumbsup:
DavidU
13-09-2009, 01:52 PM
Mate ! Thats very ingenious. Killa lens:D
acropolite
13-09-2009, 02:48 PM
Nice Acquisition Leon, I'm very envious.

Should be good for widefields as well, the gimbal mount looks like the goods, nice work. Should we expect some birding images from you??
dpastern
13-09-2009, 02:50 PM
Whoah, that's a neat price. Lucky guy! What body you using on it? You really need a 1 series body to make full usage of that lens imho.

Dave
gts055
13-09-2009, 03:07 PM
Hmmm, amazing toy :) and great work with the mount. Mark
leon
13-09-2009, 07:58 PM
David I use a Canon 5D full frame, magic.

Leon
dpastern
13-09-2009, 08:32 PM
AF is poor though Leon, at least compared to a 1 series camera. No waterproofing or weathershielding either. I like my 1 series :) That said, the 5D has lovely IQ.

Dave