Which Gimbal Tripod Head? I've been doing air show photography for the last 7 years. Last few years, I've had a fair amount of shots to be thrown away because of lack of sharpness, due...

daiqngo Loc: San Diego, CA

I've been doing air show photography for the last 7 years. Last few years, I've had a fair amount of shots to be thrown away because of lack of sharpness, due to holding camera & telephoto lens practically all day long during air shows. I'm thinking about getting a gimbal head to be used with my tripod. I have a Nikon D810 and my telephoto lens is a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G. My budget is in $500-600 range. Any advice please?

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

Nest from MT Shooter’s Carter’s Camera Cottage.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

daiqngo wrote:

I've been doing air show photography for the last 7 years. Last few years, I've had a fair amount of shots to be thrown away because of lack of sharpness, due to holding camera & telephoto lens practically all day long during air shows. I'm thinking about getting a gimbal head to be used with my tripod. I have a Nikon D810 and my telephoto lens is a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G. My budget is in $500-600 range. Any advice please?

I've gotten great results for the last 12 years with my Manfrotto 393. It doesn't lock down, but that is not what I expected from a gimbal. It is smooth, and because of it's ultra-beefy design, can handle a 15 lb (or more) lens and camera. I don't really care for the low-cost "cantilevered" gimbals that you can buy for under $250.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzy6Jddl90E

The only modification I did to it was to add an Arca-Swiss screw-type clamp and a focusing rail from Hejnar Photo, to make it easier for me to balance the camera/lens on the gimbal.

The 393 currently sells for $194 at B and H.

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Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I also use the Manfrotto 393 and have no problems with it. I tighten up the nob or nut so it will stay in place but is made to be adjusted to your feel. I like the ability to use the mount as shown or turned over to give more highth . I have two quick release plates so I do not have too change the mounting using two cameras. When I acquired my Tamaron 150 600 I realized to get the most out it I needed a support and a good tripod.

CO

I bought the Jobu Jr.3 gimbal head. The Jobu Jr.3 Deluxe has the Arca-Swiss clamp machined into the swing arm. It weighs only 1.5lbs but can support up to 10lbs. They say it's OK to put 12lbs on it but recommend up to 10lbs. It has finely adjustable friction on the tilt axis and they designed a bushing for the panning axis that provides smoothly damped motion. I have the Nikon 80-400mm AF-S lens that I use on my D500 which together weigh 5.3lbs. Your D810 plus 80-400mm AF-S weighs 5.6lbs so you would be well within the capacity of the head.

Jobu Jr.3 gimbal
Jobu Jr.3 gimbal...

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Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

I have a Nest and love it as many other Hoggers will testify. And it's below your price range. Here's the link: https://www.cameracottage.com/equipment

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

I’d do a search on here for all the comments on the various gimbals folks use. Many have been mentioned. That would help you find what would work for you and your equipment. Personally, I use a Jobu, but that’s just me. I will say it’s a good quality piece a gear. Also, once you settle on one, I suggest you dig through Steve Perry’s videos and watch the one on properly setting up a gimbal and making its adjustments. They are a wonderful tool. You’ll enjoy its use if you get a good quality piece. Good luck.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I shoot a lot of airshows, with handheld and gimbal-mounted lenses. My experience is the gimbal / tripod is limiting and I end up having a second body and lens for planes directly overhead or streaking jets that are shot hand-held. The gimbal mounted shots work best for the slower prop planes as well as many times my position along the flightline precludes a tripod altogether. When analyzing your throwaways, have you considered other technique adjustments beyond moving to a tripod?

daiqngo Loc: San Diego, CA

CO wrote:

I bought the Jobu Jr.3 gimbal head. The Jobu Jr.3 ... (show quote)

Did you also have to replace the original Nikon lens clamp on your 80-400? I've heard that it's not too stable when used on a tripod.

daiqngo Loc: San Diego, CA

CHG_CANON wrote:

I shoot a lot of airshows, with handheld and gimbal-mounted lenses. My experience is the gimbal / tripod is limiting and I end up having a second body and lens for planes directly overhead or streaking jets that are shot hand-held. The gimbal mounted shots work best for the slower prop planes as well as many times my position along the flightline precludes a tripod altogether. When analyzing your throwaways, have you considered other technique adjustments beyond moving to a tripod?

With hand-held shots, I can never get below 1/200 secs to shoot prop aircrafts. Too blurry... :-)

CO

daiqngo wrote:

Did you also have to replace the original Nikon lens clamp on your 80-400? I've heard that it's not too stable when used on a tripod.

I made that Arca-Swiss plate and lens support in a machine shop. The aluminum parts are still the bare aluminum in that photo. I sent the aluminum parts out to a metal finishing company for type II hard anodizing. I made the lens support piece out of 3/4" thick polyurethane that has a durometer of 95. It was just hard enough to machine with sharp cutters without tearing the material. I still have plenty of the material if you need some. I got the dimensions for the Arca-Swiss dovetail from the Really Right Stuff website. They put their blueprint on their website so anyone could make plates to fit their heads.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

I use a MOVO GH-700 .., carbon fiber ..with the quick release plate to quickly pull the camera off and up for the quick direct overhead shot ..inexpensive .., GH 700 ...30lb load ..$99.99 on eBay now with free shipping ...

It has handled everything I have thrown at it and compares to other $300 on up carbon fiber Gimbals ..

I never use an additional head ..just mount it directly to the tripod ..

Good luck ..

On location with a D7100
On location with a D7100...

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Carbon Fiber works well in Salt Water

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On location
On location...

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With my D850 and 200-500
With my D850 and 200-500...

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picsman Loc: Scotland

Try Lensmaster of the UK. He designs his own gimbals and they are cheaper than others but I think just as good. I bought a lightweight traveller for my snowsports and other sporting pics.
https://www.lensmaster.co.uk/

SteveMcBill

https://lensmaster.co.uk/

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

daiqngo wrote:

I've been doing air show photography for the last 7 years. Last few years, I've had a fair amount of shots to be thrown away because of lack of sharpness, due to holding camera & telephoto lens practically all day long during air shows. I'm thinking about getting a gimbal head to be used with my tripod. I have a Nikon D810 and my telephoto lens is a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G. My budget is in $500-600 range. Any advice please?

Only one choice, the best of course. And it fits your budget. I love mine and it is simply, THE BEST.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404536-REG/Wimberley_WH_200_Gimbal_Type_Tripod_Head.html?sts=pi-ps