New Manfrotto Gimbal model??? Hi folks, I just returned from the camera store where I saw a different Manfrotto gimbal head. It's NOT like the double-bracket kind I'm used to seeing...

kamrakid Loc: Reinbeck, IA

Hi folks,
I just returned from the camera store where I saw a different Manfrotto gimbal head. It's NOT like the double-bracket kind I'm used to seeing from Manfrotto. Instead it mimics the Nest, Wimberly, Jobu, etc. It was selling for $150 with the usual arca-swiss type plate. Unfortunately I failed to write down the model number. Has anybody heard of this gimbal? I swear that I really saw it, and it definitely was Manfrotto (stamped on it). Has anybody tried it?

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

kamrakid wrote:

Hi folks,
I just returned from the camera store where I saw a different Manfrotto gimbal head. It's NOT like the double-bracket kind I'm used to seeing from Manfrotto. Instead it mimics the Nest, Wimberly, Jobu, etc. It was selling for $150 with the usual arca-swiss type plate. Unfortunately I failed to write down the model number. Has anybody heard of this gimbal? I swear that I really saw it, and it definitely was Manfrotto (stamped on it). Has anybody tried it?

Are you referring to this one?
http://www.manfrotto.us/heavy-telephoto-lens-support-w-rc3-rapid-connect-plate-357pl

kamrakid Loc: Reinbeck, IA

Searcher wrote:

Are you referring to this one?
http://www.manfrotto.us/heavy-telephoto-lens-support-w-rc3-rapid-connect-plate-357pl

Hi Searcher -- Nope -- It's not at all like that one. It looks much more like the standard style of gimbal head. I've searched the internet (B&H, Adorama, etc) for one like it and can't find it. I'll have to call in the morning and get the Manfrotto model number -- maybe even ask them to send a jpeg of it for us to share. I about dropped my dentures when I saw it!

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

kamrakid wrote:

Hi Searcher -- Nope -- It's not at all like that one. It looks much more like the standard style of gimbal head. I've searched the internet (B&H, Adorama, etc) for one like it and can't find it. I'll have to call in the morning and get the Manfrotto model number -- maybe even ask them to send a jpeg of it for us to share. I about dropped my dentures when I saw it!

I think you were looking at a different brand gimbal mounted on a Manfrotto tripod. Manfrotto only makes one gimbal design and that is the Model 393 that Searcher has already linked to.

kamrakid Loc: Reinbeck, IA

MT Shooter wrote:

I think you were looking at a different brand gimbal mounted on a Manfrotto tripod. Manfrotto only makes one gimbal design and that is the Model 393 that Searcher has already linked to.

Mystery solved. Alas, you're right MT Shooter. Without returning to the store, I'm pretty sure that it was an Opteka GH1 (or one of its siblings), grandly sitting atop a Manfrotto Basic Panoramic Head Adapter #627. I've scoured the Manfrotto website to no avail -- except for that adapter. Makes sense to me. No wonder the salesguy took so long to find a price on that gimbal head for me. I'm returning to the Nest, and will save until I can get one. (Also confessing to some embarrassment for not figuring it out immediately.) Many thanks, guys! Jim
Jim

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

kamrakid wrote:

Mystery solved. Alas, you're right MT Shooter. W... (show quote)

I figured that had to be what you saw. The Opteka GH1 is nothing more than a re-packaged Beike BK-45 gimbal head with $50 added to the price for the Opteka name tag on the box.
I have lots of Nest NT-530H-US available when you are ready for one. ;)