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Gimbal Heads
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Dec 8, 2019 07:42:12   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
I have a side-mount. If I had it to do over again, I'd go with the cradle.

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Dec 8, 2019 07:59:07   #
ggab Loc: ?
 
jwreed50 wrote:
I'm in the market for a gimbal head to mount on my tripod and I thought I would solicit your collective advice here. I'd be using the gimbal head with a FX DSLR with longer lenses that have a lens foot. Generally would be used for wildlife photography, etc.; I don't expect to use it for video much, if at all.

I see my basic choices are between a side-mount head versus a cradle mount. I'm inclined to get the side-mount. Anyone have a different view?

There's also the choice between a standard gimbal head versus a fluid head. Since I don't really expect to use it for video, I don't see any need to get a more expensive fluid head.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you have here.
I'm in the market for a gimbal head to mount on my... (show quote)


Is shooting nature pictures you business or hobby?
If you are out every week shooting wildlife, get the more expensive gimbals.
If you are planning a trip to Conowingo to shoot eagles once or twice a year, I would not spend more than $200.00. The cheaper Gimbals need some tweaking, ie removing the grease they are shipped with and using lithium grease.
I just purchased a "MOVO GH800" off ebay. I had a "MOVO GH400" Side Kick knock off that served me very well. Someone else thought it worked well and stole it from me during a recent trip. BTW, I didn't need to "tweak" the GH400. It balanced well and worked with my 150-600 and 300 f/2.8 with out issue.
With a SideKick type of Gimbal you need a good Ball Head to mount it on.

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Dec 8, 2019 08:13:20   #
Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb
 
I like the ProMediaGear

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Dec 8, 2019 08:28:16   #
tommy2 Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
 
My 2 cents worth after using one for years is the one that works best for me is the cradle, fluid mount. The camera and lens are easy to balance and the "fluid" tension can be adjusted to suit the situation - that alone is worth the extra cost.

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Dec 8, 2019 08:38:17   #
BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD
 
rmorrison1116 wrote:
Contact MTShooter, he sells Nest gimbals, and they are really quite good. Don't buy a cheap gimbal, they wear out quickly and you end up spending more than if you bought a good one first.


I agree - have one myself

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Dec 8, 2019 08:48:26   #
Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
 
jwreed50 wrote:
I'm in the market for a gimbal head to mount on my tripod and I thought I would solicit your collective advice here. I'd be using the gimbal head with a FX DSLR with longer lenses that have a lens foot. Generally would be used for wildlife photography, etc.; I don't expect to use it for video much, if at all.

I see my basic choices are between a side-mount head versus a cradle mount. I'm inclined to get the side-mount. Anyone have a different view?

There's also the choice between a standard gimbal head versus a fluid head. Since I don't really expect to use it for video, I don't see any need to get a more expensive fluid head.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you have here.
I'm in the market for a gimbal head to mount on my... (show quote)


You may want to read this thread before buying a Nest gimbal. It contains a few things that caused me to take it out of consideration.

https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1365702

I bought a Manfrotto 393 in 2006, and a couple of months later I purchased an Arca-Swiss compatible clamp for it - I think I paid $175 for the head and $50 for the clamp. I've since used Wimberleys, Jobu and RRS and don't find that any of them offer any functional advantage over the Manfrotto. So I don't see myself upgrading any time soon. I think they are still selling for the same price I paid for mine at B&H.

Using a side mount requires a very strong ball head - I would not attempt using a sidemount gimbal with anything less than the best ball head offered by Markins, Arca Swiss or RRS. I think Wimberley has a list of recommended ball heads on it's website.

These videos show how it works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKj4puprfPQ

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

Traditional Wimberley and its look-alikes are a cantilever, and inherently less stable than a full cradle design.

I do like this idea, but I haven't actually seen one to understand its advantages and disadvantages

http://www.feisol.com/0823newproduct.html

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Dec 8, 2019 09:03:33   #
rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX
 
rmorrison1116 wrote:
Contact MTShooter, he sells Nest gimbals, and they are really quite good. Don't buy a cheap gimbal, they wear out quickly and you end up spending more than if you bought a good one first.



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Dec 8, 2019 09:16:09   #
scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL
 
Wimberly Sidekick if you are only going to be using it for occasional wildlife photography. A gimbal is, in my opinion, overkill.

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Dec 8, 2019 09:36:43   #
Robertm Loc: San Juan Mtns of Colorado
 
CO wrote:
I read reports about the fluid in the Nest gimbal heads seeping out and the gimbal's motion becoming stiff in cold weather. I'm not sure if those reports are true.

I like the Jobu gimbal heads. I have the Jobu Jr.3 gimbal. It weighs only 1.5lbs. but can support up to 12lbs. It has finely adjustable dampening on the tilt axis and they designed a bushing for the panning motion that supplies just the right amount of dampening.

The Wimberley WH200 is another great gimbal. It has finely adjustable dampening on the tilt and panning axis.
I read reports about the fluid in the Nest gimbal ... (show quote)


I have a Nest gimbal and the fluid did leak out leaving it very stiff

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Dec 8, 2019 09:39:48   #
Robertm Loc: San Juan Mtns of Colorado
 
I have a Nest head and the fluid did leak out leaving it VERY still and difficult to use

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Dec 8, 2019 09:42:46   #
ClaudiaA Loc: Venice, FL
 
Bill_de wrote:
I have been using the original Wimberley since it was introduced around 1991. The newer version is a bit more refined and should hold up just a well.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404536-REG/Wimberley_WH_200_Gimbal_Type_Tripod_Head.html

--


I just got this to use with my 200 600 Sony it's amazing it's the very best thing I bought all year. It makes that big lens weightless and I can turn it, twist it & move it and it stays where I put it.

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Dec 8, 2019 09:44:32   #
47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range
 
rmorrison1116 wrote:
Contact MTShooter, he sells Nest gimbals, and they are really quite good. Don't buy a cheap gimbal, they wear out quickly and you end up spending more than if you bought a good one first.


Go to the classified section of UHH. MTShooter currently has a good deal going on gimbals.

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Dec 8, 2019 09:54:09   #
wapiti Loc: round rock, texas
 
billnikon wrote:
IF you want the best, https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404536-REG/Wimberley_WH_200_Gimbal_Type_Tripod_Head.html?sts=pi-ps&pim=Y



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Dec 8, 2019 10:32:21   #
photoman43
 
I have both the Jobu Jr 3 (with the deluxe swing arm) and the Wimberley 200. I prefer the Wimberley because all of the controls are on the same side. (Nest looks like is has this too.) The Jobu Jr has the controls split between two sides. But the Jobu Jr is lighter and smaller. Check out these little things as they can mean a lot to some (but maybe nothing others.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/905990-REG/Jobu_Design_bwg_j3kdlx_Jobu_Jr_3_Deluxe.html


Joe

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Dec 8, 2019 12:17:38   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
jwreed50 wrote:
I'm in the market for a gimbal head to mount on my tripod and I thought I would solicit your collective advice here. I'd be using the gimbal head with a FX DSLR with longer lenses that have a lens foot. Generally would be used for wildlife photography, etc.; I don't expect to use it for video much, if at all.

I see my basic choices are between a side-mount head versus a cradle mount. I'm inclined to get the side-mount. Anyone have a different view?

There's also the choice between a standard gimbal head versus a fluid head. Since I don't really expect to use it for video, I don't see any need to get a more expensive fluid head.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you have here.
I'm in the market for a gimbal head to mount on my... (show quote)


If I were using a gimbal, I would also prefer the side mount, why? - because the tilt/travel speed is much faster with a side mount - which is especially useful for BIF where speed matters. No one seems to mention this when talking about gimbals ! Side mounts also have less mass and are lighter.

But, I do not use a gimbal anyway and prefer a video fluid head for following action/wildlife. They are not expensive today if you shop for the correct ones. The Manfro 502 that I use can be had for about $200 or less - the average cost of the cheaper good gimbals ! I also use a leveling platform under the head to facilitate getting a level pan quickly without having to fuss with the tripod legs.

But really, actually, I much prefer to use a monopod or a bodypod instead of a tripod for work requiring mobility - which is what 90% of wildlife work is - for me anyway. So, I also use a video/fluid head on my monopod also.

Gimbal comparisons - http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm
.

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