Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Well let me throw praise on the Sirui PH-20 Gimbal Head with Quick Release Plate. It is $529 at amazon. This is a carbon fiber head that weighs 2.4 lbs and can hold 40 lbs of lens. What makes this head superior is the tension controls. They are superb. They really do lock and hold. With a little turn of the extra large knobs allows movement with tension which makes it very smooth. It comes with its own case, extra long swiss plate and extra quick release which in its self is a $75 dollar value. Of all the equipment I have purchased, it is truly a precision instrument that I am proud to own.

I just used it in Yellowstone NP photographing wolves with a 500 mm Nikon with a 1.4 TC. The head allowed me to quickly scan and lock. With the temp about 20 degrees and 30 mph winds, the carbon fiber was easy to grasp. Its metal counter parts would have frozen to my skin.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

UPDATE

I just received confirmation from the factory that they are going to begin production of this head with full ARCA compatibility as a second model (as yet un-named) to sell alongside their own capture design QR system. It will be available by the end of February.
I will be stocking both models when they are available as I like this current design for the security of it. These heads will be going into my rental inventory alongside the Wimberley WH-200 that I already rent exclusively with the 800mm F5.6 lens.

redrocktom Loc: Sedona

Carter, thanks for updating us on new and interesting equipment. It is much appreciated.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Updated 2-28-14

I just got an email from the Nest factory that the ARCA compatible mount is completed and that my first order of these heads will ship on Monday March 2nd. I have 6 of each head coming on my first stock order (6 Standard and 6 ARCA type) and will be having an allotment of 12 heads per month divided however I request. Production is not very fast on these heads as they are pretty much individually hand made. My first order should arrive about March 20th with two of the Nest Standard heads going directly to my rental inventory to be mounted on Manfrotto 058B tripods specifically for my long telephoto rentals.
I was very pleased with my field testing of the first sample I received (which has actually been sold to a UHH'er who really wanted it, right Mr. B?). I especially liked the carbon fiber material as it was quite comfortable to handle in below zero temperatures, MUCH more so than my aluminum Wimberley WH-200 even with a camo jacket on it. I will not be making camo jackets for these Nest Gimbals as I really do like the appearance of the carbon fiber, plus its a real attention getter!

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

And shameless lust it was. Damn, it looks sexy on my tripod!

:oops:

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Cost?

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

This unit appears to be of high quality, and the price is very comparable with our old friend @ Lensmaster Gimbal. His price today is about $50.00 USD lower, but the unit is not CF. Are you stocking this?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I am the USA stocking dealer. I have had one of the Lensmasters in the store and was un-impressed as its bushing mechanism was an open stack of nylon washers basically, and the arm was too soft to resist torsional twisting caused by heavy lenses (my 800mm F5.6 looked like it was mounted on a spring when on the Lensmaster). The rigidity of this head is amazing and at least as good as my Wimberley WH-200's.
The Nest has MAP pricing of $298 and comes supplied with one 6" ARCA QR plate and a very nice fitted, padded Cordura nylon carrying case. Extra 6" plates are available at $45 each. I will be offering Distributor pricing of $268 as my contract allows for that discount)
The manufacturer has been selling them on Ebay direct from the factory for the same $298 List price.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

FIRST SHIPMENT HAS ARRIVED!

I have just received my first shipment of 12 of these Nest NT-530H Gimbal heads. 4 of these heads are pre-sold and one will be going into my rental inventory, but that leaves me with 7 available immediately to put into store inventory.
6 of these gimbals are of the Nest proprietary High Security ARCA plate which is compatible with generic ARCA plates, but will not work with Wimberley or KIWI brand QR plates.
One of these Gimbals is the custom updated, FULLY ARCA compatible design made exclusively for the Camera Cottage at my request. I will have more of these heads in stock later in April this year. I like the proprietary system a LOT because of its high security feature, there is no way to have your lens accidentally slide out of the mount, no matter what you do.
Standard NT-530H models are $268 + $20 shipping.
Custom NT-530HCC models are $288 + $20 shipping.
Anyone interested may order at any time and FedEx shipping will be immediate.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

SOLD OUT!!!

Sorry, my first shipment is totally sold out. I expect my next allotment to arrive about April 2nd. These are made one at a time, not mass produced. They take a little while to manufacture in order to maintain tolerances and quality.

All future shipments will be the 100% ARCA compatible design just for simplicity's sake.
Thanks to the UHH members who bought some of these (5) and congratulations on owning a fine head!

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I bought one and used it yesterday. Is is a sweet head to use. sturdy. holds its position and moves effortlessly. I find it much better than my mongoose in holding my 500mm+2x on a D3s steady. I showed the head to Pro photographer who really liked it and the price is great :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Thanks mborn, your extra plates went out yesterday.
Please show it to everyone, its an impressive instrument!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

FINAL UPDATE

The Nest factory has offered my little store the exclusive USA distributorship for this head, not just a dealership. I have tentatively accepted their contract and am right now in a minor negotiation with them over warranty work. These heads come with a 5 year factory warranty, but the factory is half way around the world. If I am going to be the USA distributor, I want to be the USA Authorized Repair and Warranty Center also, so I am asking for a certain amount of repair parts inventory to be supplied to me for free in advance. Once that issue is sufficiently resolved the contract will be signed and I will be seeking a few dealers around the country in order to have a dealer network setup by early summer.

Eaglespotter Loc: SW Michigan

I've been using mine for about two weeks now with a D7100 & Sigma 150 x 500 and love it. SMOOTH & LIGHT. Money well spent. I would recommend this item. On top of everything else is looks good.