THE MONGOOSE M

4th Generation Design Products

THE MONGOOSE M-2.3 FOR INTERMEDIATE TELEPHOTO LENSES!

The Mongoose M-2.3 Action Head balances the Canon 100-400mm IS L lens beautifully even when used with one of the (heavy) professional bodies

like the Canon EOS 1D Mark II show here. Do note that the plate is placed fairly far forward in the lens mount.

The clamp-lever on the Mongoose M-2.3 can be spun in either direction before the plate is clamped into place.

The head is elegantly machined and is extremely light in weight at 1 pound, three ounces.

The Mongoose M-2.3 Action Head is available now for $365 plus $11 shipping. Florida residents need to add $25.55 sales tax. Please make all checks out to "Arthur Morris" and send to the address below.

As many of you know, I am and have been adamantly opposed to the use gimbal-type heads that feature side-mounting clamps with large telephoto lenses, but am fine with this style of head (The Wimberley Sidekick, for example) for use with the intermediate telephoto lenses. With big rigs, the danger of losing control of your lens when mounting the lens or moving the plate forward or backward for balance is--IMHO--simply too great. The Sidekick, when used with the Linhoff Prophy III that I own, weighs a shade under four pounds. The regular Wimberley head weighs in at a shade over four pounds... The regular Wimberley head (which I use everyday with my Canon 500mm and 600mm AF lenses) is way overkill for use with the intermediate telephotos. And most folks who use Wimberley heads with their big lenses simply hate having to use a ball head with their intermediate telephotos.

My friend John Zeiss of 4th Generation Design has come up with a simple, lightweight (only 19 ounces!), elegant, side-mounting, gimbal-type action head that operates smoothly and is ideal for use with most intermediate telephoto lenses including the Canon 100-400mm IS L zoom lens, the Canon 300mm f/4 L IS lens, and the Nikon 80-400mm VR lens. With each of these lenses we recommend the use of the Wimberley P-20 plate. (All Arca-Swiss compatible plates fit the Mongoose clamp). When theses lenses are mounted with the back of the plate flush or nearly flush with the near-side of the circular clamp, balance is just about ideal. And surprisingly, with both of the zoom lenses above mounted as described, balance is maintained throughout much of the longer focal length range (this because of the just about perfect tension built into the head). With the Canon 400mm f/5.6 L lens and the Canon EOS 20D camera body (or with the Elan & or A2 series film bodies) the plate needs to be pushed forward an additional 1/4 to 1/2 inch into the clamp for proper balance. And with that lens and one of Canon's heavier pro bodies (EOS 1D, 1Ds, or 1D Mark II), the plate needs to be pushed forward halfway into the mount to achieve proper balance. It is recommended that at least half of the plate be in the clamp before tightening.

BAA now accepts credit card orders by phone: 863-692-0906

9am to 3pm is best / MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Amex.

Important Notice to Overseas Customers:

Because we have lost numerous shipments to foreign countries and because the US Post Office does not offer any type of signature confirmation, we will--as of May 25, 2005, be using only FedEx or UPS to deliver all overseas orders over $100.00. We regret that this will increase the cost of shipping significantly but we simply cannot continue to lose shipments on a regular basis. Please e-mail us at birdsasart@att.net to request shipping charges.

If you wish to use Paypal, click on the following link:

Now Available: M 3.5: Gimbal Head for Larger Telephoto Lenses $485.00 plus $15 shipping.

After many, many prototypes and demos, John Zeiss has perfected the new, larger Mongoose. About six months ago I began using the Mongoose M3.5 with my 500mm f/4L IS lens in order to save weight. I am constantly struggling to keep my shoulders healthy and by reducing the weight of my rig I am able to do that without too much trouble. In addition, the M3.5 travels a lot easier than the Wimberley V2 or the old Wimberley. And if you you are using a Nikon 200-400 or any of the 300mm f/2.8s lenses on a tripod, this is the ideal head for you. You will need to add the low foot for (CP-42) for the 400 DO and the Canon 300mm f/2.8. Though I will be glad to sell you one, the regular Wimberley head is way over-kill for either of the afore-mentioned lenses. In addition, the Mongoose M3.5 is far more elegant and efficient than the Sidekick/ballhead combo.

As above the Mongoose M3.5 is far superior to anything else in terms of weight, access to the lens controls, ease of handling, and stability. Folks will most likely want to add the flash bracket and the appropriate low foot (the NP 42 Replacement Foot is correct for the wonderful Nikon 200-400 mm. f4.0 Zoom Lens.

We have long recommended the lighter, smaller M2.3 for all intermediate telephoto lenses such at the Canon 100-400 IS, the Nikon 80-400, and all of the 70 and 80-200 and 300 f/4 lenses as well.

The Mongoose M-3.5 Action Head is available now for $485 plus $15 shipping. Florida residents need to add $33.95 sales tax.

Please make all checks out to "Arthur Morris." Credit card orders call 863-692-0906. Or use Paypal:

4th Generation Design Lens Plates for Canon Lenses

CP 16: Custom Lens Plate for 70-200 and 100-400 used with Pro bodies. Supports all lenses with "B" Rotating collar Price: $85.00 plus $5.00 shipping

An ARCA compatible foot for the many Canon lenses using the "B" collar including: EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM, EF 70-200 f/2.8L USM, EF 70-200 f/4.0 L USM, EF 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, and others. This is the medium length of the three (CP-10, CP-15, CP-20) ?B? collar feet. It has a double cut dovetail to accommodate flash arms using the ARCA style mount. Securely mounts to the lens with our superior internal rib system and features our unique "Limit System" providing an improved anti drop function. Wrench, mounting, and limit screws provided. Length 4" Weight: 1.7 ozs.

CP 42: Lens Plate for the Canon EF 400 f/ 4.0 DO IS USM and the 300mm f/2.8 L IS lens. Price: $85.00 plus $5.00 shipping

At 4" the CP 42 is long enough to cover the balance point even with lighter cameras. It has a double cut dovetail to accommodate flash arms using the ARCA style mount. Securely mounts to the lens with our superior internal rib system and features our unique "Limit System" providing an improved anti drop function. ARCA compatible like all 4th Generation Designs products. Wrench, mounting, and limit screws provided. Weight: 1.6 ozs.

CP 51a: Replacement Foot for Canon 500 mm. f4.0 Telephoto Lens Price: $85.00 plus $5.00 shipping

A highly sculptured full replacement foot; just long enough to cover the balance point, just tall enough to fit under the lens hood. Has a double cut dovetail to accommodate flash arms using the ARCA style mount. Improved balance for ball heads and action heads because of a 2.7" offset from the lens center. Featuring our unique "Limit System" providing an improved anti drop function. ARCA compatible like all 4th Generation Designs products. Wrench and limit screws provided. Weight: 3 ozs.

CP 61: Replacement Foot for Canon 600 mm. f4.0 Telephoto Lens Price: $85.00 plus $5.00 shipping
Also for Canon 400 mm. f4.5 Telephoto Lens

A highly sculptured full replacement foot; just long enough to cover the balance point, just tall enough to fit under the lens hood. Has a double cut dovetail to accommodate flash arms using the ARCA style mount. Improved balance for ball heads and action heads because of a 2.7" offset from the lens center. Featuring unique "Limit System" providing an improved anti drop function. ARCA compatible like all 4th Generation Designs products. Wrench provided. Weight: 3 ozs.

NP 42: Replacement Foot for Nikon 200-400 mm. f4.0 Zoom Lens Price: $85.00 plus $5.00 shipping

A highly sculptured full replacement foot; just long enough to cover the balance point, just tall enough to fit under the lens hood. Has a double cut dovetail to accommodate flash arms using the ARCA style mount. Improved balance for ball and action heads because of a 2.9" offset from the lens center. An ample .79" of finger room for easy carrying. Features unique "Position Control System" With 6 limit screw positions for an improved anti drop function. ARCA compatible like all 4th Generation Designs products. Wrench provided.

NOTE: Similar replacement feet are also available for other lenses as well

Integrated Flash Arm $110.00 plus $6.00 shipping

The Integrated Flash Arm allows the Mongoose user to instantly attach a flash 8 inches above the camera. Ideal for use with a Better Beamer. The IFA consists of an intermediate plate mounted between the quick release and the Mongoose upper hub and a flash support arm. Mount in a second by inserting the flash arm into a slot next to the quick release; remove in a second by depressing a latch. The flash arm is fixed for distance shooting. Some older Mongoose will need to be upgraded to accept this accessory, please contact us with the product serial number for details. Weight: 3.2 ozs.