As described earlier to achieve optimum performance and enjoyment - to counteract the scope tipping back or forward.......if it's front or back heavy ( due to the placement of the scope's lens system ) when mounted on the tripod system. Otherwise it will annoyingly tip and require a degree of tensioning. In essence these facilitate finding the correct centre of gravity for balance. Trust us.
You want smooth movements in all directions. That’s what a fluid head is supposed to achieve. Also you do not want your scope to tip forward or backwards unless you deliberately point it that way. You have to slide the attachment plate forward or backwards and lock it in position when your scope does not tips neither forward or backwards. In spite of this the scope can still tip if you move away from its balanced position. To prevent that a counterbalance spring is used to keep things under control. On cheaper video heads the counterbalance is fixed and can balance weights up to 4-5 kg range depending on model. On more elaborate (and expensive) heads for professional video work the force can be adjusted.
That head is good, I use one but with Swarovski or Gitzo c/f legs rather than a metal alloy. 190 series is the shorter of their range. If you are over 6 feet tall you may need a taller set of legs ( 055 ).
There have been a few good suggestions here but the Manfrotto 190 is completely inadequate for the Kowa TSN-99. It is so vibration prone that it would likely be difficult to achieve precise focus at the minimum 30x magnification, let alone at 70x with 1/6th the depth of field.
Agree that rubber and cork interfaces should be avoided, but there is a misconception that there are shear loads on the fixing screw (preferably 3/8x16, discarding the thread adapter) and the anti-rotation pin. The compressive load achieved by moderate torque generates so much friction on the interfaces that nothing should come loose. Car wheel bolts or studs are not subjected to shear loads either.
There is a very good third option that completely solves this problem with the plate loosening on the foot. There are plates available on the market that use the standard one screw attachment method but they also have a lip of one kind or another that traps the foot on the plate and prevents rotation. Kirk makes plates with this feature. Others, some less expensive, do as well. There is another thread that explores this in detail. This is the way to go in my opinion. I have a Kirk arca swiss plate with an adjustable lip and it works like a charm on my big Kowa. Also, I have a Canon telephoto with a factory foot that, like the Kowa scopes, is not arca compatible. The solution for my canon lens is to stick on a similar Kirk plate that prevents rotation. If you get the right parts this rotation thing becomes a non-issue. I throw my scope and my camera and long lens over my shoulder all the time. It is rock solid.
Thanks for the suggestion and I am glad it works for you.
I have Kirk feet for my 70-200/2.8 lens and also other stuff from Kirk. I agree, it is good gear. I also have clamps, ballkeads, and other gear from RRS, Wimberley, etc. It is all good gear. But it has to fit. I do buy their gear when they do. With photo equipent, no issues whatsoever.
My Sirui tilt head allows top loading, I use it all the time with my 500/4.0 VR. I assumed the VA-5 was the same.
To clarify, I enclose a picture of some of my gear. Two lenses with proper Arca feet (from RRS). Markins and RRS ballheads. Both with Arca clamps. A Sirui tilt head on my monopod. Almost proper Arca. The loose not quite Arca plate is from Sirui. I do not use it. Markins and Sirui clamps have safety pins which do not bother as they can be pressed down.
Sorry for the offtopic, but did the VA-5 handle the 883? Is the mvh500 much smoother? These are my current 2 options but i don't like that the mvh is bulky while the VA-5 might not be good for the 883.
I have a Sirui VA-5, it handles my 80mm Svbony SV406P well. The SV406P weighs 1.6kg, the VA-5 is rated for 3kg and has a fixed 1kg counterweight. If the Kowa 883 with eyepiece is 2kg or under, it should work fine, especially if you are willing to occasionally shift the scope forward/backward a bit if the viewing angle changes a lot - I mainly do this only at night (astronomy). For day use usually the VA-5 is totally fine at the default position, though I still lock it when viewing a perched bird or insect.
Take a look at Berlebach - there tripods are wooden, made in Germany. They have a unique nomenclature. For a scope that size a Report model might suit you best.
Just saw this - no, the VA-5 is not the same. You can't top load the VA-5.
Just saw this. I think the VA-5 is adequate for the Kowa 883. I find it a bit fiddly as far as locking it off and adjusting tension for tilt and pan. But, the small size and weight is appreciated if you are hiking a lot with it. The one thing I don't like about it is the fact that you can't top load the plate, which means that my preferred arca swiss plates I use with my primary video head and clamp won't work with it unless I remove the safety screws. The safety screws prevent me from sliding the plate into the VA-5 clamp. I get around this issue for the time being by mounting a Kirk clamp in the VA-5 clamp semi permanently. For my primary heavier legs I use a bigger head - Manfrotto 500AH with a Kirk modified top bridge. That set up is rock solid and it works really well.
I agree fully. I use two screws and things stay put. I use a cheap 80 mm long Arca plate from China which in my opinion is long enough for balancing my Kowa 99. The plate is recessed at the bottom so it fits my Gitzo GHF2W head without removing the safety catch screw from the head. Also the Arca plate has no rubber or cork (important) so it is metal to metal as it should be. The scope can only be attached from the top which I prefer.
