Canon Monster on Gimble Mount

leon · #1 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.

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,

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

erick (Eric) · #2 13-09-2009, 12:03 PM

Very impressive, Leon. Looks the treat!

dugnsuz (Doug) · #3 13-09-2009, 12:29 PM

That looks the business leon!
Very ingenuous and well executed - looks very professional too.
Doug

g__day (Matthew) · #4 13-09-2009, 12:37 PM

Wow that looks nice!

Octane (Humayun) · #5 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.

Regards,
Humayun

leon · #6 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 (Dave Pastern) · #7 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 · #8 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

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

DavidU (Dave) · #9 13-09-2009, 01:52 PM

Mate ! Thats very ingenious. Killa lens

acropolite (Phil) · #10 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 (Dave Pastern) · #11 13-09-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leon

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

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

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 (Mark) · #12 13-09-2009, 03:07 PM

Hmmm, amazing toy

and great work with the mount. Mark

leon · #13 13-09-2009, 07:58 PM

David I use a Canon 5D full frame, magic.

Leon

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #14 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