Flexshooter Pro Head
- Thread starter Abinoone
- Start date
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I have a MH-100 on a monopod and it works great in that application. As is, it wouldn't work well on a tripod as it doesn't have any ability to pan, it's just a tilt head. That works on a monopod because you just twist the monopod itself for panning. You could make it work on a tripod by mounting it on a panning base and then mount that assembly on top of the tripod but you'd want some way to pan when it's mounted on a tripod.
Ideally for use on a tripod you'd have a leveling base, then a panning base and then the WH-100 but by the time you've gone to all that trouble something like a decent ballhead with a Wimberley Sidekick or a Flexshooter head would likely be easier and less expensive.
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Has anyone set up their Flexshooter Pro with Steve's quick-release system? I have the RRS plates and clamps for my BH-55, Wimberley 200 and RRS tripod, and the speed and ease of swapping heads is fantastic (thanks Steve!). However, when I put the RRS DVTL-55 plate on the Flexshooter, about 1/8" gap remains because the screw can't go far enough into the Flexshooter base. I am researching solutions with RRS, Hunt's and Midwest, but remembered this thread so thought I'd ask here as well.
I have a flex shooter pro and used it without a problem w/ 180-400 w/ D850 + grip as well as 500 PF (though I mostly hand held this lens) in Lake Clark area for a week or so. There were 3 of us who had them plus one guy an uniquball Every one was very pleased with it. It took a bit of getting us to but once I got it set, it worked very well. I had 1 hiccup but that was my stupidity and once I learned the trick (pull out the tighten level so I could reposition it) all was good. My only complaint is that it lacked a qr level. So I ordered one w/ a QR level. I am now going to sell my nearly new flex shooter pro.
I would rather have a wimberley and RRS BH-55 but together they are 5-6 pounds vs 1 pound (approx weight) for the flex shooter pro. plus I don't have to change heads when I switch from short lens to long lens.
I would rather have a wimberley and RRS BH-55 but together they are 5-6 pounds vs 1 pound (approx weight) for the flex shooter pro. plus I don't have to change heads when I switch from short lens to long lens.
jhorsch
Member
Have not used the Flexshooter Pro myself but did a worokshop (mnostly shooting birds and BIF) a few months ago with an accomplished pro, Hector Astorga. He'd been using the Flexshooter for several months then with a Sony 600mm lens and was very pleased with it. Said he hadn't used his gimbal since he first picked up the Flexshooter.
Yes, Hector certainly likes the Flexshooter!
For anyone wanting to add a Flexshooter Pro head to Steve’s “quick-release” system, here’s a great solution: this RRS rail, https://www.reallyrightstuff.com/MPR-73-3-8ths-73mm-rail-with-3-8-screw. It attaches solidly to the Flexshooter base, and at only 2.9” long, barely extends beyond the head. B&H stocks it.
Kudos to RRS for taking time to understand the problem! I’d contacted Hunt’s (where I bought the head) for help, but never heard back from them.
Kudos to RRS for taking time to understand the problem! I’d contacted Hunt’s (where I bought the head) for help, but never heard back from them.
PhilcTx
Well-known member
An alternative to ball-heads or gimbals are smaller reasonably priced fluid-heads typically used for video work but also work well for stills shooting.
Hudson Henry's YouTube channel has several videos explaining the rationale, use, and equipment choice for both stills and video. I use his suggestion of a reasonably priced Manfrotto fluid-head and leveling and Arca-swiss adapter plates. Works good with my D500 & 500 PF/200-500mm or X-T4. Once head tension is quickly adjusted and rig balanced the camera/lens can be moved like a gimbal but stays in place when hands-off. Also no danger of camera flopping over like when ball-head tension inadvertently left loose.
Hudson Henry's YouTube channel has several videos explaining the rationale, use, and equipment choice for both stills and video. I use his suggestion of a reasonably priced Manfrotto fluid-head and leveling and Arca-swiss adapter plates. Works good with my D500 & 500 PF/200-500mm or X-T4. Once head tension is quickly adjusted and rig balanced the camera/lens can be moved like a gimbal but stays in place when hands-off. Also no danger of camera flopping over like when ball-head tension inadvertently left loose.
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