FS5: Max lens weight before needing support.

jcskeeter

jcskeeter

Well-known member
HI!! Wondering people's thoughts on how heavy to go with a lens before needing to add a rail/support setup. The lens in question for me is the 70-200 2.8 non-IS with a Speedbooster. It doesn't seem to sag or anything but I'm just not sure how it compares to when it's mounted on the 5Diii. Am I being over worried about it?
 
I'd support it without question. Its not so much the weight but also the length... try and hold that lens facing forward by the lens cap and feel what the leverage does to your fingers.... you will think your holding 10 pounds. and again the length, what if it gets bumped that length is going to act like a lever when the pressure is applied to the mount
 
Ugh... not what I wanted to hear ($$$) but good to hear it nonetheless. Is there such a thing as a favorite lens support that folks might have? I have a 15mm rod setup.
 
You're probably not going to want to spend the money on it, but this system that I had left over from my FS100 works beautifully on the FS5. Because it has two separate plates (one under the camera and one on the tripod's quick release plate) I can slide them independently to get the center of balance directly over the tripod head no matter how big and heavy the lens is.

http://hotrodcameras.com/cameras/pl...tc/hot-rod-pl-tuner-s-kit-for-sony-fs100.html

FS5-with-Canon200-400.jpg
 
This is what I have for a setup. It's actually a Wooden Camera DLSR quick release plate. I'm thinking I'm going to need to try to lower the plate a bit to get closer to the rods. Hopefully they make shorter risers.

Do you think it makes any difference if the support is under the tripod color or just under the barrel more towards the end of the lens?

Photo Jan 16, 5 50 58 PM.jpgPhoto Jan 16, 5 51 09 PM.jpg
 
I use a generic ebay/amazon rail mounted fastener that cradles the lens when i use my 70-200 f/4 IS. But thats only about 750 grams.

When i use the 28-300 at 1.8 kgs i use a more expensive Zacuto adapter that screws into the lens mount, and keeps it in place properly.

I tighten down my 70-200 f/4 because of the focal length, not so the weight. When doing focus pulls on unsecured 200mm, it will show in your image...
 
Yup i have one of those.

I also have one el-cheapo with a rubber band over the lens, so it tightens down vertically as well. Great when using 200mm and follow focus, and change lenses often.
 
That does look a bit high for a normal lens support, I know for a fact the Metabones one would not reach. Maybe try the threaded supports that screw into the bottom of the lens foot


jcskeeter said:
This is what I have for a setup. It's actually a Wooden Camera DLSR quick release plate. I'm thinking I'm going to need to try to lower the plate a bit to get closer to the rods. Hopefully they make shorter risers.

Do you think it makes any difference if the support is under the tripod color or just under the barrel more towards the end of the lens?

View attachment 109266View attachment 109267
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jcskeeter said:
This is what I have for a setup. It's actually a Wooden Camera DLSR quick release plate. I'm thinking I'm going to need to try to lower the plate a bit to get closer to the rods. Hopefully they make shorter risers.
Click to expand...

Loosen the hex screw on the front of your rod's bracket to adjust it's height.

Also a bracket attached to your len's foot should supply plenty of support for your lens.
 
Bern Caughey said:
Loosen the hex screw on the front of your rod's bracket to adjust it's height.

Also a bracket attached to your len's foot should supply plenty of support for your lens.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately it's already bottomed out as low as in can go.

Good point on the lens foot. Likely very true.
 
SmallRig have some nice lens supports, I have one of their screw in 15mm post supports for a lens of mine that's 1.8kg, used it for about a year or so now, they also have the cradle for the front of the lens but I bought Lanparte lens support for that as it has a rubber band to for any small lateral movements (I'm not suggesting the band is the support)

SmallRig is the way to go, well made and they have a CoDesign section if you have a specific request, maybe something that can be mounted to your Metabones adapter would be worth co designing?
 
jcskeeter said:
Unfortunately it's already bottomed out as low as in can go.
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Seems I misunderstood. Thought you were trying to get the rods higher up.

Took a quick look at Wooden Camera's FS5 Fixed Baseplate & it appears the rods are closer to the bottom of the camera, but never having handled it, or the FS5, I might be wrong.

Is your goal to have your rods spaced so they conform to Light Weight Studio (LWS) standards?

https://matthewduclos.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/iris-rods-a-simple-explanation/
 
XSVpro said:
SmallRig have some nice lens supports, I have one of their screw in 15mm post supports for a lens of mine...
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I'm also using one of SmallRig's lens supports. Went with the Quick Release version since it can be used with a threaded post, or as cradle, & often attachable without removing other rail mounted accessories.

http://www.smallrig.com/SMALLRIG-QR-Lens-Support15mm-LW-1676.html

Bought an extra threaded post, & attached a 1" Arca-Swiss QR plate from Kirk Photo to support a Metabone's Smart Adapter, or SpeedBooster. The QR only makes contact with the front 3/4ths of the Metabone's foot, but seems solid enough.

http://www.kirkphoto.com/1_in_Quick_Release_Clamp.html

Sony, with their infinite wisdom, made the foot of the 28-135mm so long that it's bottom is exactly the same height as the top of LWS rods, making it hard to support. I had hoped the SmallRig support rod clamp could be under-slung but it only locks onto one rod so cannot. Somewhere in my archives I have a Letus Quick Snap Lens Support which I hope will work, but am yet to locate it, & may just order another.

http://www.letus35.com/letus-quick-snap-lens-support/

Here's a short video about the Quick Snap by Mathew Allard.

https://vimeo.com/68588078
 
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Bern Caughey said:
Seems I misunderstood. Thought you were trying to get the rods higher up.

Took a quick look at Wooden Camera's FS5 Fixed Baseplate & it appears the rods are closer to the bottom of the camera, but never having handled it, or the FS5, I might be wrong.

Is your goal to have your rods spaced so they conform to Light Weight Studio (LWS) standards?

https://matthewduclos.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/iris-rods-a-simple-explanation/
Click to expand...


Not looking to match standards necessarily but yes, looking to get it lower. If I had to guess I'd say the DLSR plate is about 1/3" higher than the FS5 plate. I have an email in with Wooden Camera to get their thoughts on options.

I like that small rig support better. Good price and it's a snap-on style. Thanks for mentioning that!
 
Hey guys what would be your opinion on just supporting the lens and letting the camera hang off the lens. As long as you didn't mount a bunch of accessories off of the camera it doesn't weigh very much.
 
hepler said:
Hey guys what would be your opinion on just supporting the lens and letting the camera hang off the lens. As long as you didn't mount a bunch of accessories off of the camera it doesn't weigh very much.
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Even with the stock battery attached the FS5 weighs less than Sony's 28-135mm, which many users don't support, so you could likely get away with hanging the camera from a lens, but if it were my camera I'd probably not.
 
Realized I made a mistake. The FS5's body weighs less then the 28-135mm, but add the LCD, Smart Grip, plus Top Handle, & it weighs a bit more than 3 lbs.

That's far too much weight to hang off the E-Mount.
 
Here is my compact and light weight solution for big lenses on the FS5.

The kit is in stock at my WEBstore:
http://www.westsideavstore.com/index.php?p=product&id=119

Also shown is my compact solid Odyssey mounting system. Also in stock.

The Rails come off in seconds and only the FS5 and SA plate can be used for Grab and shoot. I am also developing a chest brace and a shoulder brace as well as a handle extension kit.

Of course you can add longer rods and mount a mattebox and follow focus if you wish...

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