503 balancing act
 

Is there a trick to balancing the XL H1 (without Anton Bauer), TA100 tripod adaptor, and Bogen 503 head? The TA100 is quite long considering the size of the actual mating area, but most of the length is behind the center of camera mass, whereas the camera is front heavy (the opposite direction). I think I've selected the most optimal holes for mating the TA100 and 503 quick release plate, but the camera is still front heavy when attached to the head. I even slid the quick release plate back 1/2" (thus reducing the contact area), but it's still front heavy. Am I missing something?

Best,
Christopher

I'm not familiar with all the hardware you're using, so I can't specifically comment. But Manfrotto (the original manufacturer of Bogen gear) makes an extra-long mounting plate for the 500-series heads that may help in your case. It's called 501PLONG, is about 60% longer than the original plate, and is a special-order item at B&H, IIRC. I'm regularly using it when using my XL-1s with EF-lenses, and it works well.

HTH,

Ron

Christopher,
The holes on the TA 100 are not as flexible as some other plates I have used and don't be surprised if you have to use them on one end of the plate and not the center. With my Anton Bauer Batterries I put the plate all the way at the back end. I expect you will have to put the screws all the way towards the front and that still may not be enough. Also if you haven't already you should add the accessorie plate on the back of the camera for a little more weight on the back. The lower end Bogen Heads don't have a sliding adjustment on the head to balance the camera. You can slide the plate a little and then lock it but you really have to get the plate in the right place or move it to the right place.

I am also having balancing problems with my XL-H1 and Bogen 503. It appears that the head is not capable of carrying the weight of the camera (it is, but just not smoothly in my case). Is this the case or am I using the tripod/head wrongly? When I follow a subject and I stop the camera always moves up a bit, down a bit... no matter if I use more or less fluid drag. When the camera is not moving, all is fine but move - stop - move - stop is almost impossible.

Which tripods are more suited for this camera? I read a good review about the Libec LS-38 but I need to be sure that it will do a better job.

Floris, I use the libec ls-38 with my xl-2 and it works great. Much better than the 503. Pans and tilts are very smooth and the balance is great.

As Ron says, get the long plates. When you attach the camera to the head, loosen all knobs and slide the camera to a position where it stays horizontally stable. Balancing the camera this way also helps to avoid akward oscillation when the camera is tilted and panned.

Floris, could your particular problem be this?

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...=stabilization

Just a thought, from your description... Steve