Author Topic: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka  (Read 8423 times)

richardHaw

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1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« on: October 05, 2016, 07:48:08 »
Haven't been active here lately as far as replying goes, very busy this month plus health issues and friends and family visiting Tokyo this month.

check this thing out. you could smash somebody's skull with this. :o :o :o

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2016, 08:40:03 »
Crocodile Dundee would perhaps not be pleased by the performance of the 1200 lens head ... It is shown with the old focusing adapter that binds during focusing with the longer lens heads. The AU focusing adapter is the one to get.

I am currently travelling with the 1200/11 ED-IF which is *the* long lens to bring. If you put it on a proper tripod, that is.

David H. Hartman

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2016, 09:11:12 »
How about turret mounting those bad boys in the bed of a Ute? Hydraulic stabilizers like those on a backhoe might be needed if shutterspeeds might drop below 1/8,000th second. :)

Dave

Ansel Adams use to have platforms on the top of some of his vehicles. I've shot from the bed of a pickup and even a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive is a bit unstable. I wonder if AA had a secret or just moved super carefully.
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Wally

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2016, 18:38:06 »

I am currently travelling with the 1200/11 ED-IF which is *the* long lens to bring. If you put it on a proper tripod, that is.

When considering a slightly shorter long lens is the 800/5.6 ED-IF equal or similar in performance to the 1200?
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Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2016, 18:41:45 »
Much better than the non-ED 1200, probably also better than the ED.

These überlong lenses are quite tricky and difficult to use in practice.

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2016, 22:50:50 »
Again, to paraphrase Mr. C. Dundee of OZ fame: *THIS* is a lens .... With proper support, one can shoot at any speed.

(1200/11 Nikkor ED-IF on a Sachtler ENG2 CF HD/Video 20, camera D3X). IR snapshot on the D5300.

longzoom

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2016, 02:51:36 »
Impressive, Bjorn!  How heavy is it?  THX.  LZ

Bill De Jager

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #7 on: October 09, 2016, 03:07:55 »
Bjørn,

I have a Canon FD-n 800/5.6 which actually has the exact same length and a similar weight to the 1200/11 Nikkor ED-IF.  I've used it at high shutter speeds but not lower speeds.  I also just acquired a Sachtler ENG2 CF HD and a Burzynski ballhead (the latter was years of Ebay patience plus some real luck).  Is this still too flimsy of a setup for a lens of these dimensions at slow shutter speeds?  If a fluid head is recommended, would the Sachtler Video 15 be adequate?

Thanks!
Bill

benveniste

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2016, 03:39:33 »
It's a bit beat up, but how about a 350-1200mm f/11 for $2400?  (Not my auction).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SIGMA-350-1200MM-f-11-APO-LENS-NIKON-MOUNT-/231359096289

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2016, 09:28:43 »
Impressive, Bjorn!  How heavy is it?  THX.  LZ

Not very heavy, around 3.8 kg if memory serves.

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2016, 09:36:23 »
Bjørn,

I have a Canon FD-n 800/5.6 which actually has the exact same length and a similar weight to the 1200/11 Nikkor ED-IF.  I've used it at high shutter speeds but not lower speeds.  I also just acquired a Sachtler ENG2 CF HD and a Burzynski ballhead (the latter was years of Ebay patience plus some real luck).  Is this still too flimsy of a setup for a lens of these dimensions at slow shutter speeds?  If a fluid head is recommended, would the Sachtler Video 15 be adequate?

Thanks!
Bill

The tripod itself is more than adequate. I do have some reservations about using a ball head for such physically long lenses, though, even a Burzynski. This is because such lenses needs dampening as well as basic support. You might try, it could work in practice with some care paid to using proper technique (MUP, cable release, *not* touching* the lens or camera). The Video 15 is good, but  beefier fluid head is even better.

MFloyd

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #11 on: October 09, 2016, 10:45:09 »
When I was at Spa-Francorchamps to follow car endurance races, I saw a film team with a monstrous Sachtler tripod, mounted with a platform, the size of a small table (I'm exaggerating 😉). They look very stable, but you need at least two Sherpa's to carry the beast 😊
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Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #12 on: October 09, 2016, 11:28:36 »
The impression might fool you. Sachtlers are surprisingly lightweight for their load support. Thus the ENG 2 CF HD, the beefiest of the 100 mm class, weighs only a smidgen above 4 kg.

MFloyd

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #13 on: October 09, 2016, 12:09:24 »
Waw, this is a good surprise 👍
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Bill De Jager

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Re: 1200mm f/11 Bazooka
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2016, 18:58:54 »
The tripod itself is more than adequate. I do have some reservations about using a ball head for such physically long lenses, though, even a Burzynski. This is because such lenses needs dampening as well as basic support. You might try, it could work in practice with some care paid to using proper technique (MUP, cable release, *not* touching* the lens or camera). The Video 15 is good, but  beefier fluid head is even better.

Bjørn, thanks for your advice.  My standard tripod technique is live view focusing, mirror up, wait a few seconds, remote release, and no touching of camera, lens, or support after the mirror goes up.  My past use of the 800/5.6 was with a Really Right Stuff gimbal head which is very user-friendly for aiming and works well for fast shutter speeds.  I'm fortunate to be at a much lower latitude where there is the sun is usually higher in the sky and there is more light (~38 degrees latitude vs. 60 for Oslo), but I want to be better able to handle low-light situations with long lenses.

The impression might fool you. Sachtlers are surprisingly lightweight for their load support. Thus the ENG 2 CF HD, the beefiest of the 100 mm class, weighs only a smidgen above 4 kg.

I can confirm that this tripod is surprisingly light for its bulk. I resisted going this route until recently due to the expense.  Cost is also why I was looking at the Video 15 rather than the 20, though the used copy of the 15 I was looking at is now gone as of this morning.  Back to watchful waiting...

Edit:  The fluid head is actually still available.  What about using a sandbag on top of the lens to provide more dampening?