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Digiscoping - preferred tripod head? (1 Viewer)

talladur

Member
Hi digiscopers,

I currently have a Markins M-10 with Arca-Swiss plate for usage with my Nikon 200-400. I will buy a kowa TSN-884 for digiscoping in the next weeks.
What kind of setup would you recommend for digiscoping: the Markins ballhead, a gimbal head, a video fluid head ...?

Thanks in advance,

Matthias
 
Good Tripod and head for digiscoping with TSN Kowa 883

Hi Matthias,

I don't have an answer to your problem - I have the same problem! I've got Kowa 88mm scope and I'm looking for the right tripod head tripod. I'm tempted to buy a Benro carbon tripod - like getting a good Gitzo for half the price, but I don't know about heads. So if anyone has a reply to Matthias or I, much appreciated. Is it worth it to pay extra and get a Gimbal head? Does anyone know if the Swarovski FH101 would fit on the Benro S series tripods?

Cheers,
Keith Fisher (Flying Fish)
 
Gitzo G2180 head with the long slide bar option. CF tripod of your choice. I use an Induro C314.

cheers,
Rick
 

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I have a video head (Manfrotto HD501), a ball head (Benro KS-1) and a Gimbal (Jobu Jr). They are all good quality products, very smooth and quite stable.

However, I much prefer the video head for digiscoping because of the handle. I find it easier to control. A digiscoping setup is quite big and heavy. One hand must be on the focus control of the scope at all times. I use the other hand to control movement and I have a remote shutter attached to the handle. It works well for me.

Another head I have is the one that comes with a light Velbon tripod. It is a video head and the handle rotates to lock it. Neat ! Unfortunately it is not sturdy enough for digiscoping.
 
I have 2 x Manfrotto 501, and as Jules says, I prefer the video head for digiscoping . I also use mine with the D3 plus 500/4 too but you have to be a bit careful about the balance. Neil.
 
I have been testing various heads and I still prefer a Gimbal head for shooting with a long lens - be it a scope or a long tele. I dont need to faff around with any knobs - I simply hold the scope and the camera as I would for shooting, point it where I need to and it stays there. Couldnt be any simpler.

I use a Gitzo 1548 tripod (equiv to current 5-series) and a Wimberley, along with a Wimberley long-lens plate. Works like a charm.

Vandit
 
I have a Bogen/Manfrotto 055V tripod and a Manfrotto 701RC2 Fluid Video Head that I have used with my Vortex Spotting Scope from the first day I bought them. However, since getting a DSLR and a 400mm lens, I bought a Wimberly Sidekick head to use for photography. I use the Sidekick with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead. Just yesterday I started using the Sidekick with my scope as well. I used it late yesterday afternoon at the Owl Vigil that closed the Cumberland County, NJ Winter Eagle Festival. It worked very well. I did not digiscope using the setup yet, but for normal viewing it worked fine. I may need to get a longer Wimberly quick-release plate for the scope so that I can balance the assembly properly. I'll have to experiment first before I spend the money. So, so far so good. FWIW, the 701 also worked well for both viewing and digiscoping. But I want a solution for both my DSLR+400mm lens setup and my spotting scope + digiscoping setup. Hope this help you somewhat in making your decision.
 
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