Although Chris Hejnar has released a Replacement Foot for Fuji XF 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 R about two years ago, which actually offers greater integration, some clients required further stabilization of the front part of the lens.
Therefore, a solution of a Long Lens Support combining a longer rail and vertical bracket, came to be stabilizing this longer super telephoto lens.
The concept is not far from the one introduced also a couple of years ago from Hejnar Photo as a Lens Support for AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR that we had previewed here.
This Hejnar Lens Support not only provides the desired Arca-Swiss compatibility but also offers support to the front elements of the long lens in one package.
The Long Lens Support
The Hejnar LLSP-FUJI-100-400 is actually a 4.1" long lens support package with quick height adjustment of the Lens Bracket. Somehow this that's quite an older concept, on which you may find many references on its benefits in the Relevant Articles section at the end of this article.
Nonetheless, it includes a custom 4.1" long rail dedicated to the Fujinon XF 100-400 lens foot, a lens support bracket, and one 1" inch clamp. The clamp is mounted to the rail front end with a single screw and the small supporting bracket is installed inside the clamp for quick height adjustment.
Individual Package Components
Illustrated with their top surface facing up, are the individual components of the Hejnar LLSP-FUJI-100-400 Long Lens Support. In short the package contains:
- One MOD-1 2" lens support bracket
- One Dedicated 4.1" rail
- One F60b 1" Quick Release clamp
- One 1/4"-20 - 1/2" long captive style screw for mounting the rail
- One 1/4"-20 - 3/4" long flat head screw for mounting the clamp
- One Dowel pin for aligning the clamp
- Two M3 safety stop screws attached to rail
- Two Allen hex keys for the 1/4-20 and the M3 screws
The custom part here is the new 4.1" rail for the original foot of the Fujinon zoom, with anti-twist ridges on the back-end near the mounting screw. A small inspection will show also the front 1/4"-20 tapped hole for the clamp and the two 5 mm dowel pin holes one on each side which accept a dowel pin acting as anti-twist mechanism for the clamp, while stabilizing it.
The bottom side view of the components, reveals the deep carving which eliminates as much material as possible to the benefit of lightness. Further, two M3 safety stop screws exist at both ends of the rail preventing from accidental slipping off a semi closed QR clamp.
The Lens Plate
| Manufacturer Specification: | |
|---|---|
| Model: | LLSP-FUJI-100-400 |
| Length: | 10.48 cm (4.125") |
| Width: | 4.50 cm (1.775") |
| Thickness: | 1.27 + 0.78 cm (1/2" + 1/8" side tabs) |
| Tapped Holes: | 1/4"-20 front |
| Safety Stop Screws: | 2 x M3 |
| Slots: | 1 x Captive Style |
| Color: | Black hard coat anodized |
| Material: | C.N.C. machined 6061-T6 Aluminium |
| Made in : | USA |
The LLSP-FUJI-100-400 rail design is fundamentally the same as all Hejnar lens plates which are CNC machined out of a solid Aluminium block with flat surfaces on top.
Somehow, it differs only in the way its anti-twist ridges are built. The rail features two of them on the sides of the mounting slot, instead of one at the back as usual, allowing for fore-aft adjustment.
The F60b 1' Quick Release Clamp
| Manufacturer Specification: | |
|---|---|
| Model: | F60b |
| Jaw Length: | 2.54 cm ( 1.0") |
| Center Socket: | Countersunk on one side for 1/4" or M6 screw and threaded 3/8"-16 |
| Clamp knob: | Screw, Captive stops at max opening |
| Weight: | 45 gr (1.7 oz) |
| Material: | 6061-T6 Aluminium, Black hard coat anodized |
| Made in: | U.S.A. |
The F60b 1" Quick Release clamp is an old acquaintance for the readers of SCV Photography Ideas, extensively described in the Hejnar PHOTO F60 1" Quick Release Clamp Review with more implementation examples.
The Modular Lens Support Bracket MOD-1
| 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. |
Same goes for the MOD-1 Modular Lens Support Bracket which was individually tested in the Hejnar PHOTO Modular Lens Support Bracket MOD-1 Review where you can also find more usage examples.
Mounting on the Lens
After the assembly of the Hejnar LLSP-FUJI-100-400 Lens Support, mounting it on the Fujifilm XF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 R LM OIS WR is straight forward.
Just adjust fore-aft and tighten the lens plate on the collar foot using the 1/4"-20 captive screw . As mentioned in the beginning of this article, all required screws and hex tools are provided.
After securing the lens plate on the collar foot, you need only to raise the MOD-1 Lens Bracket so as its wheels touch the lens barrel and then tighten the F60b QR clamp screw knob.
The Lens Support sits below the Focusing ring at the steady part of the lens barrel allowing for easy zooming while the front part extends as well as ample space below the lens for carrying.
The space below allows also for Lens Hood reversal for storage without having to remove the Lens Support. However in this case you have to remove the supporting bracket in order for the hood to fit between the lens and the rail
The Hejnar PHOTO LLSP-FUJI-100-400 Lens Support offers an overall lower profile than other comparable Lens Support solutions, keeping the center of gravity low.
This feature may prove advantageous for users of Gimbal Heads - especially the side mounted ones without a cradle - since it allows the lens to be mounted and balanced properly.
Compatibility
Arca-Swiss® compatible dovetails from Hejnar Photo work with Arca type clamps from:
- Markins® including lever release clamp
- Really Right Stuff®, including lever release clamp.
- Arca Swiss®
- Wimberley®
- Kirk®
- Photo Clam®
- Foba® (Foba uses different safety stop mechanism, so safety stops may need removing)
- Vanguard ABH Series Ball Heads (ABH is Vangaurds only Arca-Compatible series)
- Custom Brackets®
- Jobu Design®
- Acratech®
Photos by courtesy of Hejnar Photo ©2018 Chris Hejnar
Price and Availability:
Current price for the LLSP-FUJI-100-400 Package is US$ 130.00 (+Shipping where applicable) and is available either from the Hejnar Photo online Store or from the Hejnar eBay Store.
If you are interested in the product, do check the Recommended Sellers page for the current valid Hejnar Photo discount coupon before placing your order. The coupon is only valid during your checkout at the Hejnar Online Store.
Referenced Articles:
Relevant Articles:
Ideas for a Long Lens Support Bracket - Part 1
The Basic Long Lens Support Bracket idea - Part 2
A versatile Long Lens Support Bracket idea - Part 3
A versatile Long Lens Support Bracket idea for push-pull zoom lenses - Part 4
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