Zone-System-Grandpa Loc: Springfield, Ohio

Hi, All..

Am up early today and have decided to investigate several of the better quality Gimbal heads which are currently marketed and available to us today..

One particular Gimbal head that strikes an interest for me is the Jobu Design Pro2 Gimbal Head and I am asking if any of our members have seen one, have one, or are familiar with this particular brand of Gimbal tripod head ~ and for those of you who are familiar with this product, please submit your own personal reviews in regards to it's functionality, ease of usage, and, too, I am asking those of you who are familiar with it if you have found it to be sturdier than most of the better quality Ball heads ? When I say "sturdier", I am referring to the gimbal head having less possibilities for allowing unwanted vibrations which, as we all know, can yield blurred images..

Here's thanking you in advance for your replies.. ;-)

~Doug~

Don L G

Get in contact with ( MT Shooter ) a member here and sales a good one.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

MT Shooter is the man

cmc65

Use the 'search' feature on this site and use 'gimbal'. MT gives a great review of gimbals. I just bought a Nest Gimbal from him. Haven't been able to use it yet, but cannot believe this wouldn't hold up a volkswagon in a gale it's so solid.

srodday Loc: Mass

I have a Jobu gimbal. Bought it after reading a review. Love mine but my first so I can't comment other than very sturdy, works well for me and BIF when I don't handhold. However, I don't have any mega-lenses (yet).

Russ1700

One thing to consider with gimbals is that they are difficult to carry around particularly if you intend to travel by plane.

edhjr Loc: Needham, MA

That is why buying a good sturdy ball head and a "Sidekick" to make a quasi gimble head is a good option when travelling.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Check out the Nest NT-530H available at MT Shooter's store site (http://www.cameracottage.com/) for $369.95. It's carbon fiber, weighs 2.9 pounds and supports a 55 pound load. Smooth as silk. I love mine.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

Doug,

What is it that interests you in this particular head? MT sells a very nice gimbal head for 1/2 the cost. I own 3 different heads and use this one most of the time. Its weight is good and it is very well constructed, also very smooth once you mount your camera and lens. Here is the link to MT's store web site, showing this head.

http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment

You can not, or should not, compare a ball head to a gimbal head. They are designed for two different things. A ball head is designed for smaller, shorter, lenses. If you put a long lens on a ball head they become difficult to hold the lens in place unless you really tighten the head making it difficult to move the camera and lens. If you do not tighten it the end of a long lens will always drop down because of its weight. With a gimbal you adjust it so it is balanced with the camera and lens making it easy to move.

You can use a gimbal with a short lens but normally you would use a ball, that is what they are designed for. Once you get use to a gimbal head you will rarely use a ball head. The only thing I use my ball for is macro photography now.

Jim D

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I have a Mongoose and a Jobu gimbal head and loved them until I bought the Nest from MT. that Gimbal head is the sturdiest one of all I have holds my 500 f/4 D3s with converters steady. Its movement is smooth. You cannot go wrong for the price

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

I would only differ in that most longer lenses have a tripod collar that lets you balance the weight of the lens and camera--even most lenses as short as 200mm.

That said, I haven't used a good gimbal head, and look forward to trying one someday.

Fat Gregory Loc: Southern New Jersey

Ok I also own a Nest from MT. It's a wonderful Gimbal from a performance perspective... Smooth and Predictable. When you consider the price / performance and weight management it is a superb value. Don't hesitate just buy it, he inspects every unit before it ships and he's a great hog as well!

I also have an English Lens Master another good Gimbal... Comparatively I give Nest the nod.
Fat Gregory from Jersey😎

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

True, I just took that for granted. In order to balance a lens and camera the lens collar is needed.

Jim D

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Shutterbug magazine did a side-by-side test of a whole bunch of gimbals and the Jobu did faired very well. I personally would buy a Katana, but I don't have a lens big enough that I need one.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Good Morning Doug!

I am using a Jobu gimbal head and love it. It has a switch that locks the head from swinging. I have let other photographers in Yellowstone try it out because they weren't happy with the ones that they had. I also use a ball head and my tripod is a CF RRS with a 75mm leveling base. I was able to buy a quick release and two matching plates from RRS so that I can switch from one head to the other in seconds!. I shoot with a Canon 300mm f/2.8 with extenders but have had a 600mm on this gimbal and it's like the lens is weightless. I have tried other gimbals but this was and is the smoothest I've ever laid hands on!!!