70-300 on a tripod, the right way

[meach]

Firstly, apologies if this has been covered on here before but it solves a problem I have and so I thought I'd share it with anyone who's interested.

I found this link:

http://www.rahsoft.net/m293_bracket/index.htm

(and pinched the above title) from a post on the Four Thirds User Forum (I'd include a link to the post if I knew how to) about a better way to mount a camera with this lens to a tripod. It's an old post but on Friday someone posted that this works fine without the need for "adaptation" or an EC-14 (it'll make sense if you follow the link) on an E-30. So I've ordered one which should arrive tomorrow. I'll report back on how I get on. I know at least one person from here has contributed to this thread so hopefully someone else will get some benefit apart from me.

[baldyb]

Re: 70-300 on a tripod, the right way

Hi Paul
Thats a good link.
I will certainly be very interested in how you get on with this and the e30 + 70-300.
Regards, Kevin

[meach]

Re: 70-300 on a tripod, the right way

It should be here tomorrow so hopefully I'll at least get a photo on here of it set up - and maybe see if it does what it claims. I do find this lens unstable on my tripod. Unfortunately I don't think this bracket will fit in the bag you sold me Kevin

[meach]

Update: 70-300 on a tripod, the right way

Well it arrived at 8:20 this morning and here it is:



Testing it made me understand the problem better - my tripod isn't exactly rock solid (is anyone's?). However, I have no problem using it with my 12-60 - I tend to use either a remote release or the two second self timer on all tripod shots as a matter of course. The problem was framing the precise area I wanted to shoot - with the 70-300 at the long end I was finding that what I wanted in the middle of the frame would shoot halfway to the top when I let go of the camera. That's probably only a millimetre or so in lens movement but a significant change to the finished result, and it meant it always took some time to get the framing right. With this bracket, which I've set up as far back as it will go, this movement is drastically reduced, and if I move the bracket itself rather than the camera it is almost discernible. I can therefore frame my shots almost as quickly as with the 12-60. I am well pleased with it - though I have yet to try it out in the field. And it also works with my E-500 - but only just!

[garethlovering]

Re: 70-300 on a tripod, the right way

Has anybody tried this with a battery grip on the camera?