HAS LENSMASTER (UK) DONE IT AGAIN ?
I am an extremely sceptical person, I have lost count of the number of times that sequels come out purporting to be better than the first film, and if the manufacturers of soap powder actually did manage to produce whiter whites than the previous soap we would all need sunglasses when we did the washing, as for the latest all singing all dancing cameras being so good they now offer, wait for it, toy camera effects, please someone, save me from this drivel.
So, when I received the latest Gimbal head from Lensmaster, Named the Lensmaster RH-1 with new bearings, lighter alloy material and a new head, well, you know me.
It arrived in a proper box not something recycled, wrapped in bubble wrap and signed for delivery.
I immediately noticed that it was considerably lighter than the previous part I had purchased, being alloy, larger but you would not notice unless it was side by side with the other.
Next I dismantled it, gone have the brass Bush bearings replaced with smoother PTFE Bush bearings, needle roller bearings are also used on both axis, and the solid control knobs have been replaced with soft touch ones, which are better suited to damp hands, and astronomers on cold nights.
Whilst the finish of the previous full gimbal was good this is smoother and better, the 3/8th thread on the mount smoothly attached to the Manfrotto monopod very easily.
With cameras mounted and control knobs loosened the tension can be easily adjusted from no movement to silky smooth, as can be seen from the photographs it has easily taken a large DSLR with 400mm lens and 120-400 lens.
You can also see from the photograph that (also stated on the Lensmaster page) that with a battery pack attached there will be reduced movement, as with all gimbals.
For the astronomer, the standard dovetail plate fits the head perfectly, however, whilst it manages the 80mm APO refractor, I would personally suggest using the two part gimbal from Lensmaster for a telescope.
On the Giottos it was also simple and sturdy, I did wonder about the benefits over the other Lensmaster mount and which would be best on the tripod. If like me you have a large flashgun attached then this new mount is not for you, buy the original gimbal, as it is though this is equally suited to the set-up shown no matter the mount you use, this one will remain attached to the monopod.
One word of advice, already stated on the Lensmaster site and quite obvious, As with any camera fitting it is essential to be sure your camera / lens is fully secured before taking your hands away this applies to any camera mount.
I found that the camera became detached with just one turn of the locking screw on the mounting plate, ENSURE IT IS TIGHT BEFORE LETTING GO OF THE CAMERA.
This is the same for ALL makes of gimbal including the very expensive Wimberley.
ALL of the weight is at the side of the gimbal, unlike the first version where the weight “rests” on the mount, the supplied quick release MOUNT is strong enough, and adding a 100mm quick release PLATE in place of the 60mm supplied plate gives added stability to long lenses, I will in fact change the 100mm for a 115mm.
All in all a British designed and manufactured product well deserved of the reputation Lensmaster has for quality, perhaps not a sequel, but a second good product available from Lensmaster.
