Friday, August 31, 2007

The Bazooka part II


My current rig
Originally uploaded by Dalantech.
Here's the equipment list:
Canon Xti, MPE-65mm macro lens, and MT-24EX modified with home made diffusers and cable management.

Novoflex Chest Pod with the camera mount removed and replaced with a Really Right Stuff 25mm ball head. Shoulder strap also removed. The arm between the shoulder brace and the camera mount is adjustable and retracts about 5cm (2 inches) from what you see in the photo.

Really Right Stuff flash mount with an extender for the top most flash head. The extender is only necessary when shooting above 4x. I also have a second flash mount for the MT-24EX (since it has two flash heads) and a lens plate to mount the flash bracket to the MPE-65mm's tripod collar (note: that link is for Canon's 100mm macro lens, but it's the same tripod collar that the MPE-65mm uses). I like the Really Right Stuff flash mount because it does get the flash heads away from the lens (great when I'm trying to get the camera as low as possible). I also use the mount that Canon supplies with the MT-24EX.

It's a little heavy, but it's easy to manage and I can quickly move the camera when I'm following a subject that won't sit still. I tried using a monopod for a month (a tripod is just too slow) and I went back to the Novoflex Chest Pod...

4 comments:

topical ointment said...

Thanks for posting this... a good title and a good "Gun" for shooting small prey...

j

Dalantech said...

Thanks jazzology!

Brad Steels said...

Have you ever experimented with using your 430EX as a slave and firing it in addition to both heads on the MT-24EX? You could mount the 430EX on an extender and illuminate the background while hitting the subject with the MT-24EX. Just a thought...

Dalantech said...

Thanks shagdiver! I have used a slaved 430EX in areas where I could keep the critters still, but out in the field it just isn't practical. Ever time the subject moved I'd have to reposition the flash. Much easier to take the fill flash with me as I move by using one of the MT-24EX's heads for the job.