March 26, 2015

Hejnar PHOTO Modular Lens Support Bracket MOD-1 Review

Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1
Although I had vastly described the innovative and versatile nature of the Hejnar LLSB MOD-1 in the New Hejnar PHOTO Modular Lens Support Bracket preview article, there was a real sample lying around for some time, waiting for a hands on review.

Somehow, the spark for the review was ignited by the preparation of the recent Hejnar Photo MHR1 Monopod Tilt Head Review which matched the purpose the most.

The Package & Contents
The Hejnar Photo modular Lens Support Bracket MOD-1 is comprised by three interchangeable parts.
1. One Standard size Wheel Bar
2. Two 28.6 mm (1.25") diameter Wheels and
3. 50 mm (2") Arca Swiss® compatible double dovetail rail.

Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 package
Hejnar Photo MOD-1 LLSB came in a hard nylon bag with a Hejnar printed folded card stapled on the top openning. As all Hejnar products the LLSB is accompanied by the appropriate 1/4"-20 captive screw for mounting the plate and  Allen hex keys for the mounting screw and module tightening scerws.

The Support Bracket

Manufacturer Specification:
Model:LLSB MOD-1
Rail Length:50 mm (2")
Thickness:9.5 mm (3/8")
Width:38.1 mm (1.5")
Weight:65 gr (2.3 oz")
Safety Stop Screws:1 X M3 on Wheel bar
Material:6061-T6 Aluminium
Color:Black hard coat anodized
Made in:U.S.A.

Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 front
Looking at the MOD-1 LLSB assembly, we can discriminate the modules described above as:
The 2" (5cm) long rail with a full length double dovetail plus a captive slot in the middle, that permit an up or down adjustment either by its dovetail when used with a QR clamp or by its slot if attached on one of the Hejnar MPR rails with front hole by an 1/4"-20 screw. 
The standard wheel bar which is screwed on top of the rail, and 
Two 1.25" (2,86cm) diameter wheels screwed on the bar which serve for supporting our lens, while allowing the lens barrel to rotate for zooming or focusing. The wheels are covered with rubber O-rings on their perimeter in order to protect the lens from scratching.
Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 back
My Hejnar MOD-1 LLSB sample is a modified/improved version of the original presented in the New Hejnar PHOTO Modular Lens Support Bracket preview three years ago. The rear side has been deeply grooved alongside the middle captive slot in order to eliminate the mass as possible.
The wheel bar on my sample features an M3 safety stop screw which is suppose to protect the wheel bar sides hitting on a QR clamp.
Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 bar and wheels rear top
A rear top view shows the how the Wheel bar is attached on the LLSB dovetail plate by two long M4 screws.

Detailed Drawing
For a better evaluation of the MOD-1, I have included here its detailed drawing, so you may calculate whether the dimensions are appropriate for your application.

Hejnar LLSB MOD-1 drawing with precise dimensions
LLSB MOD-1 drawing with precise dimensions by courtesy of Hejnar-Photo (Click to enlarge).

Attachment Options of the LLSB MOD-1
Directly on an Multipurpose Rail
Besides the other innovative features, this modular LLSB design when screwed directly on a rail, it sits very low close to the top surface of the long rail. That makes it most appropriate for lenses with very short lens collar foot.

Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 aside G20-10 MPR and hex key
Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 is shown here aside the 10" long and 5/8" thick Hejnar PHOTO G20-10 Multi Purpose Rail (Review) as well as with the appropriate 4mm Allen hex key.
Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 on G20-10 MPR
Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 attached on the front hole of the Hejnar PHOTO G20-10 Multi Purpose Rail via the included 1/4"-20 captive screw. The LSB height can be adjusted up-down by slightly loosening the screw and re-tightening at the proper position after mounting the bracket on the lens.

Via the F60 Quick Release Clamp
The addition of the mini Hejnar F60 1" QR clamp (Review) in the set, makes it easier to align and adjust the height of the MOD-1 LLSB when more than one long lenses, with different collar foot heights, are going to be used.

Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 aside G20-10 MPR, F60 QR clamp and hex key
Shown above is the Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 aside the G20-10 MPR and the F60 1" QR clamp. Using a 5mm dowel pin in one of the holes aside the front 1/4"-20 tapped hole of the rail, we may align the QR clamp via its respective alignment holes at the bottom.
Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 aside G20-10 MPR w/ mounted F60 QR clamp and hex key
Then the Hejnar PHOTO F60 QR clamp is tightened  on the G20-10 MPR front via the provided 1/4"-20 flat head screw using the appropriate Allen hex key.
Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 clamped on G20-10 MPR with F60 QR clamp
Now the LSB MOD-1 may be clamped at any desired height above the surface of the G20-10 MPR with the F60 QR clamp.


Using the LLS Bracket
For the owners of many lenses of different lengths or users of long zoom extending telephoto lenses a more sophisticated yet more versatile solution is required. This solution involves the addition of a Dual Subtend QR clamp as the Hejnar F51 (Review) to facilitate the lens foot position adjustment.

Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 clamped on G20-10 MPR with F60 QR clamp and F51 Dual QR clamp
Pictured above is the fully equipped Hejnar LLSB, including the Hejnar PHOTO Modular LSB MOD-1 clamped on a G20-10 Multi Purpose Rail via the F60 QR clamp attached on the rail front as previously described. The addition of the Hejnar PHOTO F51 Dual Subtend QR clamp (Review) plays the role of the lens foot distance regulator.
Full Hejnar PHOTO Modular LLSB MOD-1 assembly clamped on MHR-1 Head
As a next step the full assembly of the Hejnar PHOTO Modular Long Lens Support Bracket featuring the MOD-1 is shown clamped on the Hejnar PHOTO MHR-1 Monopod Head (Review) whihc is already mounted on a Triopo GX-1328 CF Classic Tripos (Review).
Canon EF 100-400 L IS USM mounted on Hejnar PHOTO Modular LLSB MOD-1 assembly clamped on MHR-1 Head
Naturally the next illustration features a Canon EF 100-400 L IS USM mounted on Hejnar PHOTO Modular LLSB assembly. The Long lens plate of the lens is clamped on the top jaws of the Hejnar F51 Dual Subtend clamp while the front of the lesn barrel rests on the LSB MOD-1 wheels.
Canon EOS Camera w/ EF 100-400 L IS USM mounted on Hejnar PHOTO Modular LLSB MOD-1 assembly clamped on MHR-1 Head
The size and height of the Hejnar LLSB assembly can very well handle a full sized Gripped Canon EOS Camera with the EF 100-400 L IS USM mounted, allowing for the lens front to have a stable rest but also for the lens to zoom at will via the Dual Subtend clamp.
You may find more details regarding the operation of the LLSB reading older articles like Create a Heavy Duty Long Lens Support Bracket or A versatile LLSB idea for push-pull zoom lenses (Part 4)

Pros
Unique modular design.
Very nice machining.
Very good finishing and anodizing.
Excellent versatility allowing for future upgrades.
Excellent value for money considering the modularity.

Cons
None found against the purpose of the bracket.

Conclusion
The unique innovation of the Hejnar modular LLSB design allows the users to have a choice between two (2) Wheel bar widths (standard and extended), two (2) Wheel diameters (0.75" and 1.25") and no less than four (4) rail lengths (1.25", 2", 3" and 4") giving numerous combinations either to easily exchange between different lenses, or have less to buy for future upgrades.
Either way the MOD-1 LLSB is the only one I'm aware of, that is designed to accommodate any diameter of front telephoto lens barrel and any height of lens collar foot.
Considering also the long term aknowledged Hejnar quality, I can only recommend it fully!

Note: The LLSB MOD-1 presented in this article was a prototype / first-production unit, kindly offered for evaluation and review by Hejnar PHOTO. Therefore, there may be some small visual or functional differences from the final production units now available.

I hope you found the article and ideas useful, thank you for viewing.
All Photos & Photosynths: © 2015 S.C.Vlachos

Price & Availability:
Price for the Modular LLSB MOD-1 is US$ 60.00 (+shipping where applicable) and is available from the Hejnar Photo online store.
For the price of the individual modules please refer to the LLS Bars and Wheels or LLS Rails sections in the Hejnar PHOTO online store.

If you are interested in the product, do check the Recommended Sellers page for a valid Hejnar Photo discount coupon before ordering.

Referenced Articles:
New Hejnar PHOTO Modular Lens Support Bracket
Hejnar PHOTO F60 1" Quick Release Clamp Review
Hejnar PHOTO F51 Dual Subtend QR Clamp Review
Hejnar PHOTO G20-10 5/8 Multi Purpose Rail Review
Hejnar Photo MHR1 Monopod Tilt Head Review
Triopo GX-1328 Carbon Fiber Classic Tripod Review

Relevant Articles:
Sunwayfoto YLS-01 Y-Type Long Lens Support Review
Create a Heavy Duty Long Lens Support Bracket
Ideas for a Long Lens Support Bracket (Part 1), (Part 2), (Part 3), (Part 4)

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