Gimbal for BIF
Apr 27, 2018 00:58:39 #
Saildog83
Loc: So. Cal / Orange County
Have a Canon EF 100-400 II with the 1.4 III and need to figure out what is the best set up using my Manfrotto 190go
Apr 27, 2018 03:15:41 #
Saildog83 wrote:
Have a Canon EF 100-400 II with the 1.4 III and need to figure out what is the best set up using my Manfrotto 190go
I use and love the Nest Gimbal. MT Shooter here on the Hog is the US distributor: http://www.cameracottage.com/
Apr 27, 2018 03:41:38 #
Saildog83 wrote:
Have a Canon EF 100-400 II with the 1.4 III and need to figure out what is the best set up using my Manfrotto 190go
If all you need is a gimbal, the least expensive most robust one is the Manfrotto 393. They were as low as $170 last year, but the nonsense in Washington has made goods made in China go up in price.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKj4puprfPQ
But Walmart seems to be listing it at $175, everyone else is $213. It's no frills, heavy, smooth in operation and it doesn't lock down like the Wimberley look-alikes. The "U" shaped support is very strong and stable. Beyond this, I'd get an RRS, Wimberley, or ProMedia Gear Katana gimbals- but that will put you in the $600+ category. They are very substantial, well designed and very nicely made.
If you consider the 393, I would recommend you get an Arca Swiss compatible clamp from Hejnar Photo (around $60), and mount it on the proprietary Manfrotto plate. It's threaded hole pattern matches up perfectly with the Mafrotto plate. Then you'll be able to use Arca-Swiss plates on your lenses.
Apr 27, 2018 04:07:55 #
Saildog83 wrote:
Have a Canon EF 100-400 II with the 1.4 III and need to figure out what is the best set up using my Manfrotto 190go
IMO you have two choices: one is a Wimberly, two is the Nest carbon fiber at approx. half the price and every bit as good as the Wimberly and in some ways better. I do have both only because the Nest was not available at the time I was ready for a gimbal . The Nest comes ready to install and use, the Wimberly you must get a Swiss Acra compatible mounting plate.
I researched gimbals before my first purchase and found the Wimberly to be the sturdiest on the market at the time All others, even the "U" shaped mounts shook at the slightest touch.I purchased the Nest for my Girl friend after reading all the reviews here on UHH. My take is why would you mount 3-6k or more of equipment on a flimsy head and/or tripod ?. Since you already have the tripod I am betting you will next be looking for a sturdier unit due to vibration, there are many good ones on the market , the usual rule is no center column, and one that will support twice the weight of you camera/lens combo.
Apr 27, 2018 11:50:22 #
Saildog83 wrote:
Have a Canon EF 100-400 II with the 1.4 III and need to figure out what is the best set up using my Manfrotto 190go
Your hands! They make for the best gimbal there is. BIF are best photographed handheld, no gimbal can give you better mobility!
Apr 27, 2018 13:21:04 #
robertjerl wrote:
I use and love the Nest Gimbal. MT Shooter here on the Hog is the US distributor: http://www.cameracottage.com/
I’ll second this recommendation. Have had mine for about 3 years and it is great. My subjects are wildlife, birds, and BIF. My usual gear is the Nikon D500 with the Tamron 150-600 G2.
Apr 28, 2018 09:57:30 #
You should be able to use your 100/400 w/ 1.4x converter 90% of the time handheld. If you are going to get a gimbal, don't skimp, like don't skimp buying a tripod. I uses a 4th Generation Mongoose 3.6. Typically the reviews are 5 stars.
Apr 28, 2018 11:36:56 #
Saildog83
Loc: So. Cal / Orange County
Thanks everyone,
I appreciate all the feedback. I think for now I will just keep doing hand held until I get a bigger lens.
Saildog
I appreciate all the feedback. I think for now I will just keep doing hand held until I get a bigger lens.
Saildog
Apr 28, 2018 11:52:37 #
Saildog83 wrote:
Have a Canon EF 100-400 II with the 1.4 III and need to figure out what is the best set up using my Manfrotto 190go
A tripod, monopod regardless of head will be a handicap for BIF. This gear should be hand hold-able for most people. Gimbals are best for the monster lenses where hand holding is impractical.
Apr 28, 2018 12:58:54 #
df61743
Loc: Corpus Christi, TX
I disagree that gimbal mounts are a handicap for birds in flight, I can't really imagine doing it any other way. I've had plenty of successes using a Wimberley WH-200 on a Gitzo GT3541LS with a 100-400mm or a 500mm fixed, and much prefer it to trying to hand hold that much weight. Particularly if you have to end up with a slower shutter speed because of the light. When I started using Wimberley, that was pretty much the only choice.
Apr 28, 2018 14:49:29 #
Saildog83 wrote:
Thanks everyone,
I appreciate all the feedback. I think for now I will just keep doing hand held until I get a bigger lens.
Saildog
I appreciate all the feedback. I think for now I will just keep doing hand held until I get a bigger lens.
Saildog
You might consider a pistol grip that screws on the tripod collar. $10-$15 on Amazon and they make hand holding a lot easier. There are more expensive ones that are also a remote shutter release so one hand can do the zooming etc.
Apr 28, 2018 15:16:05 #
robertjerl wrote:
I use and love the Nest Gimbal. MT Shooter here on the Hog is the US distributor: http://www.cameracottage.com/
Me Too
Apr 28, 2018 15:39:46 #
speters wrote:
Your hands! They make for the best gimbal there is. BIF are best photographed handheld, no gimbal can give you better mobility!
Hand held is best - next best is my bodypod - http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-269999-1.html
After that, I would use a monopod with a video fluid head. Tripod/gimbal only makes sense around a feeding station, nest, or in blind ! - and then only if you can keep from tripping over the tripod legs.
..
Apr 28, 2018 18:17:45 #
Lots of good info here. I think a gimbal tripod with a 500mm lens would work out nicely for a place like Venice Rookery but when the activity is all around you like Alligator Farm then hand held is way to go.
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