Mongoose 3.5a Questions

I'm contemplating switching from my Arca-Swiss B1 & Sidekick combo to a Mongoose 3.5a to save weight but have a couple of questions.

First, having never seen or tried one in real life I'm wondering about how much force is required to tighten it down when shooting. My reason for asking is I have pretty advanced arthritis in my hands and minimal hand strength. I use a Canon 500 f4, often with a 1.4 or 2X convertor and a 1D Mark III.

Second, are there any issues with this head to do with quality, reliability or anything else?

Thanks

Ed

Hi Ed You should try one before purchasing. The force is not great but does take a bit to open and close.

The unit is convenient and works fine with the 500 At times I stick the 600 with no problems. I am not aware of any quality or reliability issues with the head. John has gone to great length testing/dev the unit.

The only thing to be careful is the side mounting. Just like the sidekick its easier to drop than a full Wimberley. One point with the Mongoose, it will not allow you perfectly balance a lens tilted as you can with a full Wimberley.

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Originally Posted by ed dubois

I'm contemplating switching from my Arca-Swiss B1 & Sidekick combo to a Mongoose 3.5a to save weight but have a couple of questions.

First, having never seen or tried one in real life I'm wondering about how much force is required to tighten it down when shooting. My reason for asking is I have pretty advanced arthritis in my hands and minimal hand strength. I use a Canon 500 f4, often with a 1.4 or 2X convertor and a 1D Mark III.

Second, are there any issues with this head to do with quality, reliability or anything else?

Thanks

Ed

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Hi Ed,

The clamp is not that difficult to use since it uses a arm design which give you some leverage so it might be easier than a normal threaded bolt type clamp since you can use the weight of your hand. I have my M3.5 clamp lever tightened up somewhat. I thought it was too easy to open and close the first time I used it.

Alfred is right the head has been upgraded and improved through R&D over the last year or 2. The final version is excellent.

Also I have found that 4th Generation customer service is very good.

If you are in the Bosque area this Nov stop by and you can try one out.

Robert

Thanks for the replies Albert and Robert. Unfortunately I don't know of anyone who carries them here in the Vancouver BC area and I'm also not going to be travelling any distance this winter.

Does anyone know of one that's in use around here?

Ed

Whoops! Sorry for the misspelling of your name Alfred (blush)!

Ed

Contact John at the following for dealer info in your area. Tell him I sent you.

4th Generation Designs
5626 Glen Avenue
Minnetonka, MN 55345

Phone: 952.949.0289
Fax: 952.294.0364
E-mail: info@4gdphoto.com

Also Arthur Morris at: www.Birdsasart.com is a distributor.

Hope this helps.

Robert