On my favorite strap I have put 2 QDs on it so I can clip into both my L Bracket and the Shoe. That way there is less stress on the lens to camera connection. I also just did a quick change on my Black Rapid strap, taking off the carabiner clip, strapping the QD males directly into the strap.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Hey Hudson - How slowly does the Manfrotto release with your big 400mm lens. You may remember, I bought the same old lens. It's heavy -- and it drops QUICKLY. My fear is that when I changed out the bridge on the Manfrotto for the Kirk bridge, the "right" side (without the lock) on the manfrotto fluid head pulled apart briefly. I snapped it back together, though could see the gel in it. I'm a little worried that mine is slightly compromised. I should make a video with the 70-200 (same as yours) balanced and then tilted down, as well as the older 400mm F3.5 AIS lens. Slightly off this topic - but something I would have asked you about a month ago in Portland ;). (WAH!!!!!)
@@HudsonHenryPhoto I once had a catastrophic flop happen. Way back in the '80s, I was in a Baptist church photographing a small inexpensive wedding with my Mamiya RB-67. The camera was equipped with a Mamiya 180mm lens + a Mamiya bellows lens hood so it was quite front heavy. While setting up the bridal portrait, I did not lock down my Manfrotto tripod's head well enough. The camera flopped forward with enough snap energy that it sheared off the two small screws that held the focusing hood on! The sound of the hood falling to the floor was my first indication of trouble. Thank goodness I had the front leg of the tripod forward and under the load so the whole camera system didn't crash to the floor. I still have the camera and have managed all these years to get by with those 2 sheared off screws. Terry Thomas... the photographer Atlanta, Georgia USA
@@drwho353 That's a heavy beast. Balancing it helps, but it's faster for sure than the 500 here. When we do get together for a workshop, we'll have to compare.
I purchased a used camera that came with the RRS L-plate back in January this year. I purchased a Kirk foot for two of my lenses since the foot could be used for both lenses. And I purchased the QD D-adapter. Only after watching this video did I realize that my RRS can take the QD. LOL. Thanks Hudson. :) I use the rather unique Arca Swiss Monoball p0.
Excellent video. (They frequently end before I have my "Hudson" fix though)! And I love the Black Rapid strap -- I ordered it (again) exactly ONE WEEK before the Luma Labs strap became available. If you want to know when the new widget comes out, just ask Chris when he bought the "current" version... But seriously - I am so impressed with the QD connectors. I had already bought the D ring for the Black Rapids strap. I also LOVE the fact that the Kirk Rail is also threaded for use with a basic tripod mount (don't recall if it is 1/4" or 3/8") - but was able to easily integrate it back to a non-Arca system for a brief project. I originally had the Arca Swiss (dare I say brand?) rails - and when I invested in the Kirk products - OMG - I was so impressed. Your videos don't do it justice; the quality, usability and design of these products is amazing. Lastly - the feet. I purchased the Kirk foot for the Nikon 400mm lens. My lens (like yours) weighs roughly 8-9 pounds I believe with the TC301. When I put the foot on this - and this one screws on to the existing foot - but it creates a TIGHT square edge connection to the lens and allows it to always be aligned with the rail and the fluid head. It's fantastic. The only more positive thing I can say about Kirk is that they are located in my home state of Indiana and I believe they manufacture all of this in Indiana as well. Hoping to make office hours soon!
Good timing Hudson! Received my Luma Labs QD strap today. Works great with my L-brackets on my two Canon RP bodies. Wasn’t aware it can also be used with lens foot.
Probably one other thing I learned after buying my backpack and gear. My back is not as strong as it needs to be. It first makes me think "I need to get into the gym more, and probably need to focus on some muscles including gluts, back, shoulders and arms." Maybe out of context here, but perhaps you know of an excellent doctor (like, REALLY excellent) who could join an office hours or ATS video and mention some basic exercises and stretches to do that would be helpful for people carrying a backpack, for those of us who aren't normally used to carrying a heavy backpack. Mine is about 28 pounds, with the ROBUS tripod and my gear. (No 400mm lenses here either LOL)... I'll let you find the best expert you can, should you decide to pursue this one! To your health! (and all of our health)!
Nice informative video. I can attest to the quality of Luma Lab Straps. I have the previous strap with an integrated arca plate...it's amazing. The build quality is top-notch. Made in the US is an added perk.
Those QD clips are brilliant. Now I know why RRS drilled those big holes in my Z6 and EM-1 Mk 2 l-brackets. Thought they were trying to save some weight :-). I own the BR strap but will have to look into the QD Loop 3.5. It looks a lot less clunky that the BR version which I like and use regularly. Form and function. I'm enjoying your videos up here in the next big city north of you. Perhaps a workshop some day.
Like always the best info, If you live and shoot along the dark sky Atlantic (Jan., Feb., Mar.) or Pacific/Gulf (Sep. Oct. Nov.) Oceans during the early/late Milky Way season you'll want to keep the salt air off your camera and lens. Camera Rain Covers and Ruggard DSLR Parka Cold and Rain Protector. The constant wind and chill, Believe or not 20 degs (hot for most) along N. Fl. and Ga. beaches and if you really have or want to change a lens bring many clear trash bags even to change in your car. Can find the QD's in most rifle stores also. There is a longer usb lens warmer also. But when you do your review and use of the star tracker is there a possible Red Laser that can be used? First Green Laser can damage the eyes and that of pilots even those at 35K ft.(also may have blue lights roll up on you) I have the same tracker but when lit is no toy, what's a photographer without eyes or pilot that can not land? But when out at night a green headlamp easier to clone out when in groups and does not spook critters that are about! Oh! and can be used with the tracker scope instead of the red included.
Discovering Arcs Swiss clamps years ago changed my relationship with tripods. Used to hate using them. Now it is a joy. I happen to use RRS lever clamps and L brackets, but I am sure Kirk makes great equipment, too. I might order the Kirk foot for my new Nikon 400/2.8 since it is padded, where the RRS and Wimberly are not.
Those lens warmers are absolutely critical when photographing at night. I blew a lunar eclipse shoot near San Francisco Bay because I did not have one. Lesson learned. :-(
Hudson Henry Photography I have the Kirk L bracket on my Z7 but not on my Z50. I checked out the plate for the 200-500 but it’s ridiculously over priced.
@@rontopp For $50 you can toss this on the stock foot and get Arca + QD: bit.ly/HHLensPlate I listed that in the description in case of sticker shock. Gotta say that the foot is amazing, but I get it.
Hudson Henry Photography I have an Arca foot and a really nice, slim Arca clamp with a qd that works fine, other than having to unscrew it to mount it on my tripod.
Hibon, so did I. I even jury rigged a back up tether using a spare Peak Design clip in case the BR screw came loose. I really like this QD clip solution and was wondering what those big holes were on my newest RRS brackets!
A FYI - if you have an older Kirk L-bracket (mine is for a D7500 purchased July 2018) it has a threaded socket where they now put the QD socket. Just got response back from Kirk (amazingly fast response - impressive) that stated that to use a QD system I'd have to buy another, newer L-bracket (just $120, ugh!). So check what type of connector you have if you have an older L bracket. Won't be going QD yet!
You look more like Robinson Crusoe with every video, lol. Arca Swiss for me, wouldn't even consider anything else. Great video as usual Hudson, stay safe buddy.
Glenn Floyd When you put together your star tracker guide/course can you please include set up for southern hemisphere users? I believe it is a little more tricky than for you guys in the north.
Hi Hudson, To replace a ball head and a gimbal is the Gitzo 3-way fluid head a good idea? It’s already Arca Swiss, has higher capacity than the Manfrotto 500AH and is most probably better made, it’s slightly lighter, can be rotated between landscape/portrait modes, the fluid resistance can be set, and it’s quite compact? The other option is to buy the 500AH, the Kirk bridge, slider and L-bracket for each camera, all of which isn’t actually less expensive than the Gitzo option. What would you recommend?
Fantastic "Approaching the Scene" as always, Hudson! One question please...I recently acquired the Z7 with a Kirk BL-Z L bracket. While it works great, I noticed that it's a bit difficult reaching the Rubber Cover to expose for example, the USB-C port. Besides loosening and extending the bracket, any secrets to making it easier to access the USB-C port with the L bracket attached to camera? Thanks!
Nah, the sensor in the Z6 is backlit and much better at high ISO, plus it's a more rugged build. I'd have a really hard time recommending it over the 6. I think folks are better off saving a bit more for the z6. The 50 is a great ultralight budget APS-C machine, the 5 seems like a compromise to bring the price down to me. I want to see the next big guns come out and I want them to have upped the AFF area tracking. Fingers crossed.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto I actually think that the Z5 is an improvement in body design - 2 card slots, cheap and available media (SD) versus exotic and expensive (XQD), controls on the right - I just don't get why they put an inferior sensor in a seemingly improved body. I'd love to get an Z5 body with a Z7 sensor, or even a BSI 36mp sensor - One can hope at least.
Give me a single XQD any day. So much faster and more robust. I've had a few sd failures, never heard of an XQD failure. I haven't touched sd since the 850 launched. I treated it as a single XQD slot machine, like most others in the know. It's much superior. They're bombproof. I love the z6 layout too. Different strokes for different folks. The 5 is the budget version, just not enough cheaper I could recommend it between the 50 and the 6.
I adore the z6 sensor. I don't hesitate to ramp it to 20,000 ISO. The Z7 I like to keep at no more than 1600 if I can avoid it. With greater pixel density comes greater noise. They're each great for different things.
I rarely set it up above me unless I have a step ladder or am on a rock or wall or something. The big benefit is having the ability to throw a leg way out down a slope or off a wall you're standing on. In a pinch the camera's LCD tilted down with the level can work though.
I have a question about this setup: Acratech Panoramic Head with Leveling Base Kit with Kirk LRP-3 Multipurpose Rail (7.5") Kirk L-Bracket for FUJIFILM X-T4 Digital Camera For 360 panos using 8mm (12mm equivalent), having the fisheye so close will the tripod head show too much on the button of the image? Do you recommend this gear for Virtual Tours?
Thanks for this video, the information here is priceless. I would like to know your opinion if is pretty safe to use this QD, as RRS, kirk or Magpul to attach a Nikon200mm with a D800E in a kirk or RRS plate designed for this lens, and of course, want to know if is pretty safe. I'm looking for the best recommendations and that's the reason cause I am asking a real expert. Thanks for your answer and recommendations.
I love the Luma strap I link here. Www.hudsonhenry.com/atslinks I have spent many hours running around with that QD strap plugged into the Kirk QD foot on my 500mm with various cameras connected. It's rock solid. :)
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks for your time to answer me. Following your link and looking that Luma actually is out of stock and also for pre order. I don't know if you tried with other possible combinations instead of luma that you can recommend. I'm waiting for the delivery of the RRS LC-15 plate for my new Nikon 200mmf/2 vrii trying to buy the most solid plate for this heavy lens, but if you have any additional recommendations instead of this one don't hesitate to let me know if u can. Best regards and thanks again.
I much prefer Kirk as a company, but RRS makes good quality gear. I'd keep watching Luma. They make such a comfortable, simple, lightweight strap. Avoid Magpull. It's HEAVY and really made for rifles. It's not designed for photographers at all.
I have many veideos about that. The most recent is here at the relevant timecode. You might want to check the whole thing out though... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ei8XYK5Cz-k.html
I'm looking to buy some ND filters from Hoya (82 mm to fit all of my lens). On the Hoya site they state that you can stack the filters to get a greater ND factor (3 stop + 6 stop = 9 stop), this could save some money. How do you feel about this? And what ND filters do you use? Thank You for your thoughts.
I use the Solas 4, 6 and 10s in 82mm. I love them. I don't tend to stack them to avoid vignetting. If they are really clean and you don't have to worry about vignetting on the lens you're working with, I'm sure you can without issue. They are fabulous filters.
I think that the strap+ QD is a good solution, but I usually have a camera in my hand and the backpack on my sholder and I think that this type of strap is not good in this situation. What do you think and\or suggest? Thank you
I use the Luma strap right under my backpack and it slings right down to where the pack meets my back. Black rapid also makes a backpack strap that carabiners from the back edge of your pack to the opposite shoulder strap. You just swap it to the close shoulder strap when you take the pack off and put it on.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto Thanks for the response! I bought a foot for my canon 100-400 and adapter for my strap but have been nervous about using it without a safety strap. Your answer makes me feel much better about going "strapless" ;-)
I have been searching high and low trying to find what the diameter of the base of the manfrotto 500AH is.. I found one spec that says the outside diameter of the base is 60mm.. But it doesn't specify if thats including the outside housing that rotates around the solid piece or if its the part that actually touches the base plate of a tripod... Hopefully what Im saying/asking makes sense.. What Im trying to do is add the RRS TH-DVTL 40 round base plate to the bottom of the 500ah so I can swap it out with multiple supports as seen here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ocL4jO346_w.html RRS says the plate is good for round bases 2" (50mm) or less. I have one for my wimberley gimbal head and a ballhead. And I already have clamps on all my supports for this system.. I will be getting the 500ah and would like to order the right plate with it... Since you have 500ah I was wondering if you could tell me what the base (solid metal part) diameter is?
Well whatever I can do to steer you away from RRS I'd love to do. I much prefer doing business with companies run by good people. RRS makes quality, but I can't say that about them and Acratech blows thier heads away if you want a ball. Kirk makes a fabulous head QR system that's round and sized for any head if you're interested. Now all that said, I'm sure the RRS system will work with the 500AH. I'd just rather see support going to nicer comapanies like Kirk, Acratech and Wimberly.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto You must have misunderstood me.. I was just asking if you could tell me what the diameter of the base of the 500AH is.. But strange you've had such a negative experience with RRS.. I already have a ton of RRS stuff including the dovetails I mentioning along with tripods, heads, clamps, leveling bases, plates etc..., they have worked amazing and flawlessly for me for years.. and I've never had anything slip or fail and I do a lot of walking with my 500f4 attached walking through rough terrain (mostly in winter) Alot of jarring and slamming on my equipment.
@@joebecker3107 I didn't misunderstand. I never badmouth the quality of the gear. It's certainly well made, but I do prefer supporting good people with a focus on customer service. I myself had a horrific customer service experience years ago and I personally know a number of other competitors and customers that have horror stories. I avoid them if at all possible. Again. Kirk, Acratech and Wimberly are wonderful people who make just as fine a quality, are highly customer service oriented and don't sue others as the first gut reaction. They also don't make money off tactical gear by another name.
@@HudsonHenryPhoto I also have products from the ones you mentioned and I agree they are all very good. But, it appears you would rather hijack my original question and use it as a platform to slam one of the products I'm using instead of answering my question (even if its to say you don't have that info).. Very disheartening (and quite distasteful to be honest) to see as I really liked your channel and thought you were a decent guy.. You've mentioned in your past videos how you really want your channel to be a community and encourage comments, questions, interaction etc... But then be condescending to one of your viewers/subscibers because of some of the products they use.. you've clearly had your feelings hurt by RRS... If you dislike RRS so bad that you would do this and want your viewers to know how bad you dislike RRS, why not just make a video expressing your dislike towards RRS instead? In the two comments you replied with, you didn't respond my question but rather went into other products and how you don't like a company that I use which has nothing to do with the product or company I was asking about.
@@joebecker3107 I'm not trying to be condescending. No offense intended. I'm just sharing my experience. I too bought products from that source at one time. If you have a different experience, great. I'm just sharing a cautionary tale of poor customer service, not hijacking. I mean to help not aggravate. I frequently mention that I avoid RRS if possible with the caveat that they make fine gear, i just prefer to work with good people. I have no illusions that people are combing the comments section in any significant numbers. I'm just trying to share what might be useful information with you. I did tell you I was sure it would work, but if you want an exact measure, I'm in the studio and can pull the setscrews out... I'm measuring the outside case diameter at between 66 and 67mm, so it's about 3mm on each side of the 60mm rotating plate down low. The outer casing does flare out a few more mm where the panning lock knob enters. Not to agitate, but it fits the large 2.5" Kirk quick release plate perfectly, maybe you can compare the specs of the RRS and Kirk.
