IMPORTANT -when locking either vert or horiz screws, does the image move in camera finder? Is motion very smooth, or a tad rough. Are there rough spots? When using a 500mm lens at 100 meters, ANY jittery motion adds time to getting the shot. IMPORTANT -when locking either vert or horiz screws, does the image move in camera finder? Is motion very smooth, or a tad rough. Are there rough spots? When using a 500mm lens at 100 meters,... » Read More IMPORTANT -when locking either vert or horiz screws, does the image move in camera finder? Is motion very smooth, or a tad rough. Are there rough spots? When using a 500mm lens at 100 meters, ANY jittery motion adds time to getting the shot. « Show Less
336678
any motion you bring about by handling the camera or the tripod or the Opteka head will of course affect the camera's ability to take sharply focused images. But when you are done with your positioning of the camera and use a remote to trigger the shutter, you should be fine. The smoothness of the gimbal's workings depends entirely on how your want it to work. If the mechanism is too stiff you simply lubricate the moving surfaces with some carbon.
336679
I have not experienced any noticeable movement or image shift when locking the vertical and/or the horizontal. The movement of the head has been very smooth. I use it with a 300mm lens so I don't have any experience with a larger 500mm lens. Once I establish balance of the lens and camera, the moves very smoothly.
1221564
I have taken a video in a function. I just slowly rotated it. It is the way how you handle it. You need to loose the screw to move it smoothly.
2187908
It's a snug enough fit on my Olympus, smooth, but sure, there's friction. If you're feeling a snug sort of friction, that's basically what you want -- not a loose feel. If it's a rough sort of friction, I'd be a little concerned about some flash or burrs on the lens mount. I do not feel that when mounting the 7.5mm... it's actually on my E-PM1 at this very moment.
2047210
I would like to know the answer to this as well. After fishing around for some testimonials on the pan head, multiple people claim that it is overall very smooth, one person even said that it performs better than some $250 tripod. I have only read one review that stated that the motion of the pan head was not smooth.
2015114
Inside the "fake pentaprisim hump", the part where the viewfinder is, is where the image stabilization housing sits. I have had no problems and have heard the noise that you are talking about since day one. I've had mine for about 3 weeks, taken +-5k photos, and shot a beautiful wedding professionally with this camera and at no time did anything malfunction. want to see the pictures? Check them out here: http://www.roberthammphotography.com/Gallery/Moriah-and-Erics-Wedding
1157942
As MDA pointed out, the nodal point moves on all zoom lenses, whether or not the external barrel extends/retracts. I have shot panoramas with this lens's big brother (f/2.8) and been very satisfied with the results. I think this is a non-issue.
73691
I have to return mine, 'cause there was this "shifting" of the image in the viewfinder when pressing the shutter half-way down. I've learned that it is the autofocus locking-in on the target or subject and maybe that is the "clicking" sound that your hearing. I have a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC and 70-200mm f/2.8 VC in Nikon mount and I dont have this issue. Anyway I decided to return it because the "shifting" of the image is too visible for me and feel like the QC is subpar on this lens.Hope this help.
332015
99% of my slides were from a half frame 35mm canon demi, taken 30+ years ago. Some were taken vertical but the "ION" just flipped them as needed. A very good investment indeed, my brother has many thousands of "full" frame mounts to transfer. The holder will take 25 cardboard mounts or 20 plastic ones, all take 2 seconds each to copy,-----You can then "doctor" as needed before final storage with PC etc;
1238915
I just got mine, so I'm hoping it works itself out ... but while it is very smooth during the motion, it is NOT smooth at all from a dead still start. It always jerks if the head has been setting for more than 5 or so seconds ... no matter how loose the screws.
556009
this item Zooms fine but its hard to keep steady, I you are going to use this item wile moving it than I would not recommend it but if its to take a video of something fare away this is a great item to look at.
1708283
It behaves as it is marked. Remember that this is a D-SLR only lens and is made for C-sized sensors. Consequently, it behaves like a 50mm lens (when compared to film camera). So it is definitely not a "wide" angle lens :-) So not a lens for the stereotypical landscape pictures but I am pretty sure one can take beautiful landscape pictures with just about any type of lens :-) The lens does have a wide aperture and behaves quite fast. I had bought it for my Minolta Maxxum 7D camera but I had to sell it since this lens was having focusing issues with my Minolta. The buyer had a Sony D-SLR and the lens performed perfectly fine on his camera :-) It behaves as it is marked. Remember that this is a D-SLR only lens and is made for C-sized sensors. Consequently, it behaves like a 50mm lens (when compared to film camera). So it is definitely not a "wide" angle lens :-) So not a lens for the stereotypical landscape pictures but I am pretty sure one can take beautiful landscape pictures with just about any type of lens :-) The lens does have a wide aperture and behaves quite fast. I had bought it for my Minolta Maxxum 7D camera but I had to sell it since this lens was having focusing issues with my Minolta. The buyer had a Sony... » Read More It behaves as it is marked. Remember that this is a D-SLR only lens and is made for C-sized sensors. Consequently, it behaves like a 50mm lens (when compared to film camera). So it is definitely not a "wide" angle lens :-) So not a lens for the stereotypical landscape pictures but I am pretty sure one can take beautiful landscape pictures with just about any type of lens :-) The lens does have a wide aperture and behaves quite fast. I had bought it for my Minolta Maxxum 7D camera but I had to sell it since this lens was having focusing issues with my Minolta. The buyer had a Sony D-SLR and the lens performed perfectly fine on his camera :-) « Show Less
1040865
Ed. It's really hard for me to ascertain what the problem is from your inquiry. Are you having a hard time moving the focus ring forward and back? The one on my Tokina moves smoothly and locks into place with a nice snap. You jut pull the ring toward you when you want manual focus and push away from the camera for auto focus.
1282026
When we first got ours we had the same problem with clarity and had searched all through the menu options with the blurry image trying to find it. The plastic part around the lens is what you use to focus the image. The first time it felt like that wouldn't move but if you keep at it gently it will work and then you won't have any problems moving forward. Once you fix the clarity you can read the menu better to adjust the image size. Good luck.
830128
When disconnected or unpowered, the optical stabilization elements do shake/rattle inside of the lens. When mounted to the camera and the camera is turned on the shaking/rattling ceases. This is the only lens I've encountered that has this "feature."
90057
The view finder may look grainy, but it should not affect the image quality. To test this, use the "stop down" button with a Canon lens set to a smaller aperture. This is an effect of the camera, not the lens, i.e. it should happen with any lens without affecting image quality.
431743
No movement. You can watch some videos related to his model. Its pretty good for its price. Of course it will have some movements but not something really shaky. I have been using it for a while and its serving me pretty goo.
1335528
I shoot with DSLR's and it is awesome. No screws get in the way. The release plate locks the bottom of the camera and you slide it into the head. Keep in mind that at first it is awkward to slide it in. Pay attentio on how it goes in then once you got it, you won't wrestle with it.