Manfrotto Gimbal with Sliding Plates
Manfrotto has two sliding plate adaptors, 357 & 577, mainly for use with heavy video equipments.
The main difference between these two is the specific locking mechanism, which is a bit larger for the 577 adaptor. In fact, the 577 also has an extra insex security screw for the rail guide (not shown on this photo).
Therefore, by just altering between the two locking mechanisms, one can use both the small and the large sliding plates, with the same adapter mounted on the tripod.
I'm only using the larger sliding plate (357PLV) with the super telephoto lens, secured with two 1/4" screws to the tripod mount.
When using the somewhat smaller telephoto zoom lens, the smaller sliding plate (501PL) makes here a better balance.
The Manfrotto 393 works very well as a gimbal mount, rotates easily and smooth, and can aim at very step elevations. There are three height adjustment settings. The horisontal friction for panning can also be adjusted.
There is a choice of either mount the camera standing on the inner "fork" like the attached photos, or to mount the camera hanging from the inner "fork".
The E-3 balances excellent, and it's no problem to attach the power grip (HLD-4) with two batteries (BLM-1), and even add a flash (FL-36R/FL-50R). Thanks to the long sliding plate (357PLV), enough adjustment is provided to make the gimbal system in perfect balance.
The shape of the 393 looks like two tuning forks, so each has it's own resonance frequency. Neither have I calculated, nor have I measured it's resonance frequencies. Probably the 393 isn't as robust and resistant against vibrations as a heavy duty ballhead. It's fairly stable though, and the heavier lens and camera it supports, the better it performs in that aspect.
By mounting the 393 to a separate and a short center column (055CCSB), I can quickly change the use of the tripod (055PROB) between the 393 and to the standard column (055TSB) equipped with the 488RC2 ballhead.
I have the Manfrotto standard rectangular quick release plates (200PL-14), when using my camera on the tripod, as well as on the carbon fibre monopod (234RC).
The 234RC attached to a monopod is too weak to hold a super telephoto lens, so the recommendation I've got, is to mount the lens directly onto the monopod.
The 393 gimbal system is a cost effective and a far more convenient setup than a traditional ballhead for tracking birds or using with sports photography.
Ref:
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• 055PROB TRIPOD
• 055CCSB CENTER COLUMN SHORT BLACK
• 393 (Bogen 3421) LONG LENS MONOPOD BRACKET
• 357 SLIDING PLATE ADAPTOR (large)
• 357PLV sliding plate (140x56x7mm)
• 577 SLIDING PLATE ADAPTOR (small)
• 501PL sliding plate (90x50x7mm)
• 488RC2 MIDI BALL HEAD WITH RC2 RAPID CONNECT SYSTEM
• 200PL-14 QUICK RELEASE RECTANGULAR PLATE
• 234RC (Bogen 3229) MONOPOD QUICK RELEASE TILT TOP