----- Original Message ----- From: "william sawyer"
Subject: RE: A couple of PESOs
Bill, I've had this lens for about 2 years now, and agree with everything you've said. I describe it as a long stovepipe, with the mount stuck on one end. I'm surprised you are able to balance it on a gimbaled head. I use it on a ballhead and crank it down as tight as I can, plus use my focusing hand to absorb vibration. With the thing being so long from the mounting point, it creates a pretty big arc for every little movement.
Here is a bit of a detail shot of the mount. http://users.accesscomm.ca/wrobb/pictures/600mm/IMGP8908.jpg Nice light, isn't it? Anyway.. That plate is just over 6 inches long, and I cannot balance the thing if a camera only is mounted. The istD has to have the battery pack on it, the LX has to have the winder attached, and since I haven't actually tried it, I don't know for sure if it will balance or not. I may end up having a load fabricated that can be attached to the camera's tripod socket to help counterbalance the thing. I figure about a pound of steel should do it... I like your heron picture. William Robb
