MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

Go to Camera Cottage and look at the Nest Gimble . I use and it is great.

Hyperhad Loc: Thunder Bay, Canada

Jobu makes a good Gimbal head. Good price and quality. I have the Junior 3 Deluxe and the same Sigma as you. Works very nicely. Prices are in CAD, so you save exchange rate.

http://jobu-design.3dcartstores.com/Gimbals_c_1.html

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You don't have to spend a fortune, but do some research on the ones you are considering. Compare their features with each other. It is undoubtedly better to spend a little more at the start so you won't have to replace what you got when it is unsatisfactory. I have heard good things from knowledgeable people about the Manfrotto gimbal head, and since you are using it primarily for birds in flight, it is much less important to have it able to be locked down. The Nest has also gotten good reviews, and is worth checking out.

Consider that once you have a gimbal head, you will possibly end up using it more than just once in a while. It will make taking pictures so much easier without having to carry the lens's weight, you will love it.

It is like buying a tripod - people often go through the same process - they "save money" and buy one that later they realize is inadequate. Then they buy another that is better, but still want to "save money". So in the overall view, they have paid more. There are those who have gone through several tripods before buying the one that will last a lifetime! Which just adds to the final cost...

You have an expensive lens, the camera undoubtedly was not cheap either. Unsteady tripods and poor quality heads increase the risk of a malfunction.

crapshooter Loc: Fox, Alaska

I just bought the Sevenoak gho1 (100 Bucks) its fine i think, works well enough for me , I'mm like you just hobby and beats carrying around by hand.

luckylori Loc: Omaha,Ne

SusanFromVermont
Thank you for the advice i will check into these
And yes in fact i justwent out and bought me the canon 80Don black fridy and till learning how to use it LOL
much different then the T3 one i just had

luckylori Loc: Omaha,Ne

crapshooter i was looking at this one and was thinking about getting it

luckylori Loc: Omaha,Ne

Does anyone know if the Sevenoak gho1 will fit on a vanguard 265Ab tripod?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Did not read the full thread, but it is safe to say I add my name to the list of the people who suggest the Nest.

BigGWells Loc: Olympia, WA

I have a Nest Carbon Fiber. I use it with my Sigma 150-600, it is flawless. The price is awesome.

Fotoserj Loc: St calixte Qc Ca

Well have you tough about renting, that could be an option, mind you I bought both, série 5 systématique tripod and winberley 200 gimbal wich at that time were close to 2 k $ca

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I have a Wimberly WH-200 with very little use available for $350 even. Shipping included. Or I could meet you in DesMoines for a handoff. I am in the Quad-Cities.

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

We each recommend our own favorites. I use Wimberly. Go to the camera store and try some to see which works best for you and within your budget.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

That's a good deal for a $600 head! What a coincidence you and luckylori live so close to each other. Hopefully she will consider it. Plus doing a hand-off she could look at it first and be reassured that it is what she will be happy with. Hard to imagine not being happy with a Wimberly.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Here's a fairly comprehensive list of gimbal heads, sorted by types...

http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm

What you won't see on that list are most of the cheap Chinese knock-offs, probably made by one or two factories, but selling under a bunch of different brand names: Meike, Neewer, Beike, Koolhaoda, Mcoplus, Shoot... and, yes, Movo and Sevenak.... as well as many others. Who knows the build, quality control and materials used in those. Opteka GH-1 is on the list and appears to be one of the lowest weight-rated.

You didn't mention what tripod and head you already have. Nor do you indicate which of the Sigma 150-600mm you are using.... if memory serves the Contemporary weighs about 4.5 lb., while the Sport version weighs about 6 lb.

IF you have a sturdy tripod with a heavy duty ballhead (50 lb. rated or higher ideal.... 30 lb. rated minimum, I would thing), you might want to consider using one of the gimbal adapters instead. Those work in conjunction with the ballhead, which remains on the tripod. This arrangement allows you to quickly and easily switch the tripod back and forth for gimbal versus regular use. All the other types of gimbals completely replace any existing head on the tripod and make it a sort of "long lens only" rig... not usable with camera and shorter lenses without first swapping out the heads (which may require tools).

The Wimberley Sidekick (SK-100) and Induro GBHA are two similar style gimbal adapters that are heavy duty enough to handle most long lenses. When I bought mine, the SK-100 was recommended for up to 500mm f/4 lenses like I use... which weighs about 8 lb. The Jobu BWG Micro adapter is less expensive, smaller and lighter but claims somewhat lower weight capacity. Jobu rates it for up to a 400mm f/4 DO lens weighing around 5 lb. with it's lens hood. If you use the Sigma Contemporary lens, the Jobu adapter might be an option. But if you use the Sport, it may not be.

HOWEVER, I've often seen folks using the Sidekick without problems for lenses considerably bigger and heavier than recommended. So there may be some latitude... though it's at the owner's risk, no doubt. Full size gimbals (J-post or U-post) with horizontal mounting platform are usually recommended for the heaviest lenses (which yours is not).

Your lens also is not internal focusing/zooming. Because of that, the equilibrium of the lens & camera on the gimbal will change slightly as you zoom. It's not ideal, but certainly doable (I use a similarly variable length Canon 100-400mm II on gimbal a lot). I know the Nest gimbal from Camera Cottage has been designed to help deal users with this, thoug. I am not aware of the details or any other gimbal heads or adapters taking this into consideration. On both the Sidekick and a cheap, Chinese knockoff full size gimbal I use on another tripod, my IF/IZ 300mm and 500mm lenses stay nicely balanced, but my 100-400mm II doesn't so when I'm not holding it in place I have to lock it down more carefully to keep it from tipping.

If you go the ballhead/gimbal adapter route, the ballhead MUST have an Arca-compatible quick release platform to work with the adapter. With any gimbal head you'll also need an Arca-style lens plate for use on the lens' tripod mounting ring foot (sometimes provided with the gimbal... an oversize plate allows one to adjust the balance.... plate also should have anti-twist features). With the adapters, you'll likely want Arca-style camera plate(s) so that you can most easily work with shorter lenses. Another benefit of the side-mount adapters (and full size gimbals) is that you can use them to directly mount camera in vertical/portrait orientation too, when using shorter lenses with it. That makes a bulky, expensive L-bracket on the camera largely unnecessary.

Can't compare the three gimbals you mention... They're probably all made in the same factory by the same people using the same materials.... just have different names slapped on them.

markwakeman Loc: Bremerton, WA

I just went through the same evolution. I bought a Tamron 150-600 and found my existing ball head inadequate to support the weight as well as tracking birds in flight. I took the suggestion of other UHH members and got the NEST Gimbal through Camera Cottage. I love it. it was reasonably priced and very simple. Camera Cottage is the only place to get this particular product. I usually go to B&H for my camera gear but CC was very responsive and reliable.