500F4IS and Mongoose 3.5a - First Impressions

[Joerg Rockenberger]

About two weeks ago, I bought the 500F4IS and the Mongoose 3.5a tripod head. I am using both with a Feisol CF tripod and the Canon 40D.

The 500F4IS sure is a beautiful beast. But whom do I tell... What amazed me immediately is the AF acquisition speed and accuracy even in low light. But then, I also thought... darn, i need a longer lens. :o

The 40D and 500F4IS (with the 4th Gen replacement foot) balances perfectly on the Mongoose 3.5a. It was a bit more difficult to balance the system with the 580EXII attached to the 40D but I got it done after a while. Either way it is such a pleasure to effortlessly move the the lens with the Mongoose.

A disadvantage of the 4th Gen replacement foot which I didn't anticipate is that it reduces the space between the lens and the foot. This makes of course sense in order to put the center axis of the lens over the center of the tripod head. However, it makes carrying the lens at the food difficult. I probably won't be able to do so if I wear gloves.

One problem I encountered with the Mongoose is that no matter how much I tighten the vertical adjustment knob the lens still can move if pressure is applied. This is mostly a problem when carrying the setup over the shoulder. Will inquire with 4th Gen Design how to resolve this.

I love that the Mongoose uses a lever clamp as it makes it almost impossible to accidentally open it. It's tough to close but it sure holds on to that lens foot. And yes, if you open the clamp and don't support the lens with your other hand it will fall out. Luckily, I noticed it early enough the one time it happened.

Overall, I am very happy with the combo. JR

[John Chardine]

John- I have the same rig. I find with the 580EXII mounted to the Mongoose flash arm, that it is impossible to balance the system. As the lens tips forward, the weight of the flash on the arm wants to pull the rig further forward, and the same tipping backward. This would not happen if the flash were mounted on the hot shoe; the effect is caused by the flash arm and the extra leverage it creates. I'd be interested to know how you accomplish balance with the flash mounted.

I had similar issues with tightening the Mongoose when I got mine. PM me and I'll let you know how I solved the problem (if others would like to know, I can post the mod).

[David Billingsley]

John,

I would like to know how you solved the Mongoose tightening issue. Did it have any effect on its smooth operation when not tightened down??

Have a blessed day - dave b.

[Jeff Nadler]

Thanks for the post. I've been torn between the Mongoose and Wimberley 2. No desire for tightening issues os Wimberley it will be, for the bit of extra money. best wishes solving the issue.

[Alfred Forns]

The lens will not balance on the Mongoose with or without the flash. For usage its not a problem at all.

I do like the convenience of the small flash bracket and the overall weight savings with the Mongoose. Even use with my 600.

My biggest concern with the side mounting lens is balancing after adding converts which I change a lot. One of the reasons I put up with the weight when using the 500/600 ......... best to have both:) and If I only could have one the full Wimberly would be the one !!

[John Chardine]

The lens will not balance on the Mongoose with or without the flash. For usage its not a problem at all.

I do like the convenience of the small flash bracket and the overall weight savings with the Mongoose. Even use with my 600.

My biggest concern with the side mounting lens is balancing after adding converts which I change a lot. One of the reasons I put up with the weight when using the 500/600 ......... best to have both:) and If I only could have one the full Wimberly would be the one !!

I can get mine (500mm) to balance perfectly Alfred, so long as I do not have the flash and bracket mounted. As I add weight to the camera end- e.g., 1.4 tc- I simply slide the whole rig a little forward in the Arca-Swiss bracket. I've placed marks on the bracket for different setups so can get to the balance point easily and quickly.

[Robert Amoruso]

I can get mine (500mm) to balance perfectly Alfred, so long as I do not have the flash and bracket mounted. As I add weight to the camera end- e.g., 1.4 tc- I simply slide the whole rig a little forward in the Arca-Swiss bracket. I've placed marks on the bracket for different setups so can get to the balance point easily and quickly.

Owning both the Mongoose 3.5 and Wimberley II I find the Wimberley much faster to balance and much more stable and less sensitive once I am close to that "perfect" balance point. I find the Mongoose much more "touchy" no matter how much I fuss with it and try to balance it "perfectly". This is w/o flash.

Given one over the other and weight not being an issue, Wimberley is my first choice. If weight is an issue it is the M3.5.

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I'd be interested to know how you accomplish balance with the flash mounted.

John,

I don't use a flash arm. I mount the flash directly on the hotshoe. JR

[Joerg Rockenberger]

The lens will not balance on the Mongoose with or without the flash. For usage its not a problem at all.

As I said I can balance the 40D, 500F4IS w/ 4th Gen replacement foot and Mongoose 3.5a well and easily. As I have no reason to doubt your experience I wonder what the differences between our setups are. Do you use the original lens foot or the replacement foot? If the former I can imagine that it would be more difficult to balance since the center axis of the lens would be to the right of the axis of horizontal panning.

JR

[Alfred Forns]

In order to balance the lens you must also have the proper hightt which you can control with the Wimberly but not the Mongoose. Using the stock foot or low profile will affect the ability to balance.

While using the Mongoose I keep the lens pointing down while not making images since if leveled you breathe on it and will change !!!

[Joerg Rockenberger]

While using the Mongoose I keep the lens pointing down while not making images since if leveled you breathe on it and will change !!!

My rig doesn't behave like that. Not sure what's going on with yours. Best, JR

[John Chardine]

My rig doesn't behave like that. Not sure what's going on with yours. Best, JR

Nor mine, which is rock solid at any angle, with no resistance on the tightening screws. As mentioned however, this changes with the flash arm and the flash mounted on it- then I agree with Alfred that height adjustment, which the Mongoose cannot do, would cure the problem.

[beykirch]

hi John,

what kind of plate do you sue to balance it?

Regards

Bernd

[John Chardine]

The original lens foot is replaced with a Mongoose (Arca-Swiss) foot which has a lower profile and keeps the centre of gravity of the lens over the middle of the head and tripod.

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Bernd, you'll find the replacement lens foot here:

http://www.4gdphoto.com/catalog/inde...products_id=33

JR

[Arthur Morris]

A few comments First off, folks are confusing balancing the lens with having it sit like a dog. Any lens with or without flash can be balanced atop any tripod head including both of the Mongoose heads. A Mongoose does not have a platform that can be raised and lowered like the Wimberley head does, thus, once you point the lens up or down the lens will--at times--depending on the lens and the accessories, torque either forward or backwards. I have discussed this in our free BAA Bulletins at length. In most cases, keeping a slight bit of tension on the vertical panning knob minimizes the problem. For me, choosing between this minor incovenience and the far greater weight of the Wimberley is a no-brainer. Recently I have been using the 800 on the M3.5 with great success.

Lastly and most importantly, please order your Mongoose heads and accessories from BAA. Most of you would never have heard of Mongeese if not for me and if you order from BAA you are helping support BPN and, in addition, John Zeiss will make a few bucks and BAA will make a few bucks. And I forgot, as above, we are the premier educators when it comes to using the Mongeese stuff. Thanks gang for considering that request.