Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support

[RAH]

This is a link to my full review of the Manfrotto 293 Telephoto Lens Support Bracket. It discusses how it can be used with the combination of the Olympus 70-300mm lens plus EC-14 teleconverter. The review also includes a section on how to modify the bracket for use with shorter lenses, such as the 70-300 alone.

You can read the full review at:
http://www.rahsoft.net/m293_bracket/

Attached are 3 shots, one of the bracket and 2 of it in use.

[Bojan Volcansek]

Very nice write up, thank you very much. I hope it will be very useful to some of 70-300 users!

Sincerely yours
Bojan

[RAH]

Glad you like the review, Bojan. This Manfrotto bracket seems like the only thing like it that you can use with the 70-300, so I wanted to let folks know about its good and bad points.

[Bojan Volcansek]

Glad you like the review, Bojan. This Manfrotto bracket seems like the only thing like it that you can use with the 70-300, so I wanted to let folks know about its good and bad points.

Yes great effort and description
Yours Bojan

[RAH]

I have updated my review with a new section about results "in the field." You can jump directy to the new section with this link:
http://www.rahsoft.net/m293_bracket/index.htm#field

[wrwcfa]

I have updated my review with a new section about results "in the field." You can jump directy to the new section with this link:
http://www.rahsoft.net/m293_bracket/index.htm#field

Rich,

I just purchased the Manfrotto 293 to use with my 70-300. I don't have a teleconverter, just the 70-300. I wanted to thank you for the detailed notes. They worked like a charm and the setup really solves the front heavy problem. I have the 488RC2 ballhead and getting the weight back and balanced really helps.

I might add one suggestion, and that would be to buy some 3/8" to 1/4" adapters when you buy the 293. It might just be in my area, but I couldn't find anybody that carried them. But I found them sold at Amazon, B&H and Adorama. I've included the links below. There are several brands, but I bought the Manfrotto ones to be certain they'd work with the 293. I'm sure the others work, but I just wanted to make sure. I bought the 5 set one, item #148KN. One advantage to this is that you can use 3 of them to fill the three 3/8" inch holes on the 293 plate. Since all my quick release plates are 1/4" I can then use any of the 6 holes on the plate instead of just the three 1/4" ones. That could come in handy if I want to shift the weight of the setup.

Thanks again for the detailed instructions.

Regards,
Bill

http://www.amazon.com/Bogen-Manfrott...8544195&sr=8-2

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/3...gs_Screws.html

http://www.adorama.com/searchsite/de...hinfo=bushings

[RAH]

Since all my quick release plates are 1/4" I can then use any of the 6 holes on the plate instead of just the three 1/4" ones. That could come in handy if I want to shift the weight of the setup.

Bill, glad you like the review and were able to use the bracket with just the 70-300.

That's a really good idea about filling all the holes on the plate with 1/4" adapters. I already have some adapters (acquired over the years in the same way you just did - buy them when you order something else), but didn't even think of using them to acquire more balance-point holes.

[RAH]

I have added some more information to my review, now that I have had more time to use it in the field. The review itself has quick links at the top to the sections that have been updated. Again, the review is at:

http://www.rahsoft.net/m293_bracket/

[RAH]

I have updated my review to give some measurements for non-Olympus DSLR/lens users.

Again, the review is at:
http://www.rahsoft.net/m293_bracket/

[Rfinley33]

Thankyou very much for your review. I ordered the 293 today.

[RAH]

You're welcome. Hope you like it as much as I do!

[gopiqpp]

Fantastic review and I went ahead and bought one. After using it I want to draw your attention to a point you made in your review wherein you said you did not feel any need to use the Velcro strap. Whilst the strap may indeed not be required to hold the lens more securely in a normal shooting position, when using a very long telephoto lens I found that the Velcro strap serves to further dampen vibrations, akin to resting your left hand lightly over the lens.

[RAH]

Sorry, I just noticed this posting. Glad you liked the review. Yes, I can see how the velcro strap could help dampen vibrations; I didn't even think of that. Thanks for the feedback.