MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Some on here know that I have recommended the Desmond DGH-01 Gimbal head as an economic choice for lighter telephoto lenses. I myself have used this Gimbal style head on my Sigma 150-500mm lens for over a year now and liked it, for the price. While it was NOT stable enough for heavier lenses, it did a good job with the Sigma so long as a strong wind was not blowing.
I was recently asked to do a review of the Flashpoint DG-2 Sidemount style Gimbal head. I have not been a fan of the Wimberley Sidekick as it required you first have a huge ball head to mount the sidekick on just to use it.
The first observation I made while unpacking the Flashpoint (Made by Triopo and sold exclusively by Adorama) was that the build quality was surprisingly good for the price! The cast aluminum tubular arm was very well formed and had a good grip to it. The swing pivot was VERY smooth and fluid. The base pivot however reminded me of my Beike BK-45 Gimbal head in that it felt as if it would be improved by a quick disassembly and re-lube (which I will undoubtedly do fairly soon as I elected to keep this head).
The head uses the Arca style mount which in this case is OK as the tripod collar on the Sigma 150-500 is, in itself, Arca compatible so no quick released plate is needed to mount the lens to the head, simply set it in place and screw down the clamp and you are ready to go. The clamp plate also feels quite sturdy on this head, better than the Desmond clamp and MUCH better than the Beike clamp (which I do not use and have converted to a Bogen system).
I mounted this Flashpoint Gimbal to a Bogen 3246 tripod and tool it into the field for some shooting. I can only say I was impressed! A $40 gimbal head that actually WORKS, and works well at that! The swing and pivot features were free and smooth, so long as the base pivot lock screw was loosened at least one full revolution. At under one revolution it did exhibit some dragging in spots. The swing pivot was the smoothest I have ever used on any gimbal head, including the Wimberley 200 which I sold over a year ago.
As a last comment I will say that I have decided to keep this head as a dedicated head for my Sigma 150-500mm lens, and sell my Desmond. In fact, I posted the Desmond on Craigslist last night and sold it locally within the hour. Here is a link to this Flashpoint (Triopo) Gimbal:
http://www.adorama.com/FPGH2.html?utm_source=RSYS&utm_medium=TransactionalEmail&utm_campaign=1point0product

Sigma 150-500mm on Flashpoint Gimbal head








Sigma mount closeup

Mallardo Loc: NW Louisiana

Thanks, for the review, MT. A Gimble and, probably, a new tripod are next on my list. I've been wondering how to get something that is useable with the 50-500mm without breaking the proverbial bank. I'll definitely give this one a closer look.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

To be honest, I have no idea how long this price will hold, or inventory for that matter, so I just ordered a second one for myself just to have a backup and to take on my seminars to Yellowstone for student use. At $40 its the photo bargain of the year!

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

For $40 bucks, to support big mama and camera, what do you have to lose?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Good review.

There are a number here though who also prefer the Lensmaster but I have two gimbals and use almost nothing else for sports, however it is a lightweight

Flashpoint Gimbal Head 2 with Quick Release Plate, Supports upto 7.5 lbs.

But for the price $70 appears very cheap, perhaps you get what you pay for

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

:) :) :) your camera

It only has a MAXIMUM 3.1 kilo loading, good luck with long lens, heavy DSLR and battery grip

In all honesty would you spend $2000 on an off road mountain bike and chain it up with a $20 bike chain. nor would I place a $3000 camera outfit on a $160 gimbal let alone one that is now $60 down to $40

Read the revies on their website

Cons: Poor base pivot movement (1) , Very poor panning control (1)

It is also useless for any lens that does not have a rotating collar as you will have to use the camera in portrait mode as the clamp will have to screw into the tripod bush on the camera baseplate, but then my gear gets used a lot so needs a decent gimbal.

Each Gimbal is hand made assembled and fully tested before being shipped. The maximum load for the RH-1 and RH-2 is 10kg the sidemount RH-1 has been tested up to 50 LBS static load and the RH-2 has been tested to 100 LBS static load.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

A comprehensive review MT.

However, playing "devil's advocate", if I was in the market for a brand new gimbal, which I'm not because, as with JR1, I'm totally satisfied with my Lensmaster RH-2, I'd be extremely concerned that one of the earliest tasks that I'd have to confront would be to "dis-assemble and re-lubricate" my "brand new" piece of equipment - no matter how much or how little I paid for it.

Not everyone is inclined or even skillful enough to do that. And, in my opinion, no-one should have to do that with a brand new item in order to make sure it operated properly.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

I must make it clear I am NOT having a go at MTShooter even though people will say I am, I have nothing to gain from it, I am simply stating what I believe to be facts

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

My objection to the unit is that using a lens without a collar you're limited to the portrait orientation. For me that's an issue as I have a Manfrotto unit that limits me to the landscape mode and it is frustrating. I'm not complaining mind you because it's simply a matter of me getting off my wallet and buying the better mount. So in the meantime I stick with my ball head.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Or just buy an "L" bracket. Not a big issue, but these are not for everyone.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Oh crap MT! Why didn't I think of that? Easy and inexpensive, thanks!

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

But that adds more weight to a very limited capacity gimbal

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Doesn't improve the terribla almost pointless

MAXIMUM 3.1 kilo loading

cgchief Loc: Jarrettsville

Looks good to me. I just ordered one, and the 1/4-20 to 3/8
adapter.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Jesus! Get a freaking life already!!!!