Sigma Zooms

Paul Inglis · January 18th, 2009, 09:52 AM

My rail came from RRS (Really Right Stuff) just before Christmas and I have to say I am really impressed! It is well made and totally solid! The Kennan Ward Package comes complete with everything except the plate to attach to your camera and an additional Platform (both are available from RRS). The additional platform is required to attach the Camera Bar to your Fluid Head and allow adjustment to balance the whole rig!.

Highly recommended and an excellent alternative to the Ronsrails - I've had my Sony EX-3 mounted with a Nikon 600mm f/4 on this rig - awesome!

Jason Davis · January 18th, 2009, 02:34 PM

Hi Paul, glad to hear someone using this rail system, how quickly can you change lenses on this system, is it easy, or does it take a bit of time? How heavy is it?

Yeo Wee Han · January 19th, 2009, 12:22 AM

Hi Paul,

That is fantastic to hear! I forgot to mention that you needed an additional plate and a clamp. The latter will be on your tripods quick release plate. The lever clamps have been the craze and are fast to work with.

Im looking to receiving mine soon!

Cheers

Weehan

Paul Inglis · January 19th, 2009, 06:42 AM

The Arca-Swiss Style QR (Quick-Release) suits me to a tee as I use this system for my stills work. So all my lens already have Acra-Swiss Style Lens Feet attached (You must have these Lens Feet attached to your lenses in order to use this set-up). Acra-Swiss Style Nikon Lens Plate.

It is rock solid, easy to use and doesn't weigh a ton. It'll easily support a Sony EX-3 and a Nikon 600mm f/4 along with all those extras such as microphone, external hard drive and so forth. It'll certainly take more weight than that.

I've linked to all the main components below;

Kennan Ward Super-Tele Package weights 2.7lb/1156g.

Fore/Aft Plate for Canon Camcorder

Fore/Aft Plate for other Camcorders

80mm Clamp with Dual Mount (Platform)

Paul Inglis · January 19th, 2009, 06:51 AM

Forgot to say in my previous reply that this system is quite quick to set-up once you get used to it. Changing the lens on my EX-3 is as easy as changing lenses on my still bodies. The QR works really well and is a efficient as it is easy. However care must been take to ensure that the lens is perfectly level to the camera i.e. not too high or too low. It doesn't take long to set-up with practice. If you only use one lens then once you've set it up you never need to change it making it very fast.

Dan Licht · January 19th, 2009, 03:59 PM

Jason - I'm using the EX3 with the Sigma 50-500 lens and a Cine Rail support system. The 50-500 lens may be overkill, but its nice to be able to pull back to 50 to find the subject and then zoom in. I try and stay in the mid ranges, but its good to have the 500 just in case I see Bigfoot on a far ridge (frankly, I think the images at 500 are quite sharp, that's assuming there's no breeze to shake the unit and no atmospheric noise). With the setup I got it is quite easy to switch lenses. (Although the camera body screws to the rail system, I am currently using clamps to secure the lens; screws would of course be better.) You can see pictures of the setup at:

Review of Sony PMW-EX3 for Wildlife and Nature Video

Good luck.

Paul Inglis · January 19th, 2009, 05:08 PM

I've thought about that lens a few times (was never sure if it had a manual aperture ring or not obviously it has! Got me thinking again now! I’ve been trying to track down an old s/h Nikon 200-400mm manual lens!

I’d suggest getting rid of those clamps in favour a set of Arca-Swiss Style Plates and Platforms from Kirk, Really Right Stuff, Wimberley or Acra-Swiss themselves!!! There are numerous other manufacturers that offer good and cost effective QR plates and platforms that would offer you better rigid-ability and stability than those clamps!!!

Yeo Wee Han · January 20th, 2009, 07:08 PM

I myself am using a rail system with a long lens support to hold my telephotos.The main issue is the setup is extremely front heavy and on a Vinten Vision 6, the balance is way off (the amount of strain on the tilt lock is enormous when you want to lock the setup) and the RRS Tele package solves that issue by allowing your camera body to be moved way back.

Thus even if a rail system is used and the whole system is supported nicely, it will most probably be not balanced well at all.

Cheers

Han

Paul Inglis · January 21st, 2009, 05:54 AM

The RRS balances the whole rig out beautifully! No more fighting enabling perfectly smooth panning! Glad you finally got yours Han!!!

Jason Davis · January 30th, 2009, 08:39 PM

thanks for posting all the components, like the idea of the nikon lens plates. cheers Jason

Dale Guthormsen · January 31st, 2009, 07:18 PM

Good evening,

Wish I had seen this tread before i acquired my rail, would have saved me a fair amount of dollars!!

I like the one I had made, but it is fairly heavy even on on my vinten vision 6.

Would be nice to have a light one for back packing about. Something made out of composites that was rigid but deadly light!!!

my dream team: miller solo legs, carbon fiber/composite rail, canon 28-300 zoom l series. 500 canon. Enough strength to spend the day out with it all!!!

Often think about getting a small donkey, they imprint well and will follow you around like a puppy!! HUM!!

Dave Tyrer · June 18th, 2009, 07:30 AM

Truelens also do support systems in the UK and a lens support which isn't mentioned on the site

True Lens Services

Tony Davies-Patrick · June 18th, 2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Davis

About to purchase my zoom lens,
1. 100-300 f4 52.2oz
2. 120-300 f2.8 91.7oz
can anyone persuade me into one or the other. Shooting various kinds of wildlife using a
JVC hd-100. thanks for the help

Both are superb, especially for the price. The Nikkor 200-400mm f/4 (both MF & AF models) are better, but at lofty prices. The Canon 100-400mm IS is a decent lens, but it provides a darker viewfinder due to the slower maximum aperture at the long end.

Fast zooms in the 100-300mm range are rare beasts and most tend to be a slow f/5.6 at the long end.

The Sigma 100-300mm f/4 is one of the best fast zoom lenses you can buy in this range, with biting sharpness (for a zoom) and almost matching some fixed lenses.

Steve Phillipps · June 18th, 2009, 12:08 PM

And don't forget the Nikon 50-300 f4.5ED MF lens, also an excellent performer and decent zoom range. Only problem, and same goes for the old 200-400 f4, is no internal focus so a fairly heavy hand needed to pull focus which'll wobble the image.
Steve

Tony Davies-Patrick · June 18th, 2009, 03:32 PM

Yes, almost forgot the golden 50-300mm ED classic (make sure it is the ED version).

I'm not sure if it is possible to zoom without inducing shake/wobble using most manual zooms without an extrenal servo. Better to just use the zoom for obtaining a different frame position from a fixed point.

January 19th, 2009, 12:22 AM	#18
Yeo Wee Han Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 155	Hi Paul, That is fantastic to hear! I forgot to mention that you needed an additional plate and a clamp. The latter will be on your tripods quick release plate. The lever clamps have been the craze and are fast to work with. Im looking to receiving mine soon! Cheers Weehan __________________ www.tripeaksimagery.com Landscape Photography & Timelapses

January 19th, 2009, 06:51 AM	#20
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	Hi Jason.......... Forgot to say in my previous reply that this system is quite quick to set-up once you get used to it. Changing the lens on my EX-3 is as easy as changing lenses on my still bodies. The QR works really well and is a efficient as it is easy. However care must been take to ensure that the lens is perfectly level to the camera i.e. not too high or too low. It doesn't take long to set-up with practice. If you only use one lens then once you've set it up you never need to change it making it very fast.

January 19th, 2009, 03:59 PM	#21
Dan Licht Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rapid City, South Dakota Posts: 60	Another EX3 - Sigma Lens Combo Jason - I'm using the EX3 with the Sigma 50-500 lens and a Cine Rail support system. The 50-500 lens may be overkill, but its nice to be able to pull back to 50 to find the subject and then zoom in. I try and stay in the mid ranges, but its good to have the 500 just in case I see Bigfoot on a far ridge (frankly, I think the images at 500 are quite sharp, that's assuming there's no breeze to shake the unit and no atmospheric noise). With the setup I got it is quite easy to switch lenses. (Although the camera body screws to the rail system, I am currently using clamps to secure the lens; screws would of course be better.) You can see pictures of the setup at: Review of Sony PMW-EX3 for Wildlife and Nature Video Good luck. __________________ Sony EX3, EX1, FX7, CX7, HC3, Vegas 8.0 www.pronghornproductions.com

January 20th, 2009, 07:08 PM	#23
Yeo Wee Han Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 155	I myself am using a rail system with a long lens support to hold my telephotos.The main issue is the setup is extremely front heavy and on a Vinten Vision 6, the balance is way off (the amount of strain on the tilt lock is enormous when you want to lock the setup) and the RRS Tele package solves that issue by allowing your camera body to be moved way back. Thus even if a rail system is used and the whole system is supported nicely, it will most probably be not balanced well at all. Cheers Han __________________ www.tripeaksimagery.com Landscape Photography & Timelapses

January 30th, 2009, 08:39 PM	#25
Jason Davis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Missoula Posts: 54	Hi Paul.. thanks for posting all the components, like the idea of the nikon lens plates. cheers Jason

January 18th, 2009, 09:52 AM	#16
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	My rail came from RRS (Really Right Stuff) just before Christmas and I have to say I am really impressed! It is well made and totally solid! The Kennan Ward Package comes complete with everything except the plate to attach to your camera and an additional Platform (both are available from RRS). The additional platform is required to attach the Camera Bar to your Fluid Head and allow adjustment to balance the whole rig!. Highly recommended and an excellent alternative to the Ronsrails - I've had my Sony EX-3 mounted with a Nikon 600mm f/4 on this rig - awesome!

January 18th, 2009, 02:34 PM	#17
Jason Davis Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Missoula Posts: 54	Hi Paul, glad to hear someone using this rail system, how quickly can you change lenses on this system, is it easy, or does it take a bit of time? How heavy is it?

January 19th, 2009, 06:42 AM	#19
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	The Arca-Swiss Style QR (Quick-Release) suits me to a tee as I use this system for my stills work. So all my lens already have Acra-Swiss Style Lens Feet attached (You must have these Lens Feet attached to your lenses in order to use this set-up). Acra-Swiss Style Nikon Lens Plate. It is rock solid, easy to use and doesn't weigh a ton. It'll easily support a Sony EX-3 and a Nikon 600mm f/4 along with all those extras such as microphone, external hard drive and so forth. It'll certainly take more weight than that. I've linked to all the main components below; Kennan Ward Super-Tele Package weights 2.7lb/1156g. Fore/Aft Plate for Canon Camcorder Fore/Aft Plate for other Camcorders 80mm Clamp with Dual Mount (Platform)

January 19th, 2009, 05:08 PM	#22
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	I've thought about that lens a few times (was never sure if it had a manual aperture ring or not obviously it has! Got me thinking again now! I’ve been trying to track down an old s/h Nikon 200-400mm manual lens! I’d suggest getting rid of those clamps in favour a set of Arca-Swiss Style Plates and Platforms from Kirk, Really Right Stuff, Wimberley or Acra-Swiss themselves!!! There are numerous other manufacturers that offer good and cost effective QR plates and platforms that would offer you better rigid-ability and stability than those clamps!!!

January 21st, 2009, 05:54 AM	#24
Paul Inglis Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: British Isles Posts: 415	The RRS balances the whole rig out beautifully! No more fighting enabling perfectly smooth panning! Glad you finally got yours Han!!!

January 31st, 2009, 07:18 PM	#26
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Good evening, Wish I had seen this tread before i acquired my rail, would have saved me a fair amount of dollars!! I like the one I had made, but it is fairly heavy even on on my vinten vision 6. Would be nice to have a light one for back packing about. Something made out of composites that was rigid but deadly light!!! my dream team: miller solo legs, carbon fiber/composite rail, canon 28-300 zoom l series. 500 canon. Enough strength to spend the day out with it all!!! Often think about getting a small donkey, they imprint well and will follow you around like a puppy!! HUM!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

June 18th, 2009, 07:30 AM	#27
Dave Tyrer Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: UK Posts: 174	Truelens also do support systems in the UK and a lens support which isn't mentioned on the site True Lens Services

June 18th, 2009, 12:08 PM	#29
Steve Phillipps Inner Circle Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wales Posts: 2,130	And don't forget the Nikon 50-300 f4.5ED MF lens, also an excellent performer and decent zoom range. Only problem, and same goes for the old 200-400 f4, is no internal focus so a fairly heavy hand needed to pull focus which'll wobble the image. Steve

June 18th, 2009, 03:32 PM	#30
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	Yes, almost forgot the golden 50-300mm ED classic (make sure it is the ED version). I'm not sure if it is possible to zoom without inducing shake/wobble using most manual zooms without an extrenal servo. Better to just use the zoom for obtaining a different frame position from a fixed point. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk