Tatertot13 Loc: Aptos, CA

I have a NEST gimbel and was told yesterday I didn't have it properly installed. I had the knobs on the left and my lens wasn't balanced and it didn't rotate smoothly like the other photographer's gimbel. My Nest seemed stiff. I hope this makes sense to you. Could someone with the NEST please show a picture of how their NEST is set up. The Nest Gimbel is new to me. I have a Induro Tri-pod. Thank you!

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

:shock: ;)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-258910-1.html

8-) ;)

tsilva Loc: Arizona

I don't have one but found this after a brief search -
http://youtu.be/vpKYeXB6kpM

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Hi Michelle,
I hope the phone call got your issues properly explained.

For those with similar questions, a gimbal head.....ANY gimbal head....is all about BALANCE. The Nest gimbal comes with a 6" long QR plate included, the purpose of the longer plate is to allow for proper horizontal balance of the camera/lens combo. The lens mount plate also adjusts vertically so the user may set the lens at the correct height to allow for proper vertical balance as well. Typically the center line of the lens should be even with the center line of the swing axis of the head. If both horizontal and vertical balance points are achieved, the the camera/lens combo you are using will be in such a fine state of balance that the camera will hold whatever position you put it in WITHOUT having to lock the swing arm knob to do so. If it does not, then one of your balance settings is not quite right.
The Nest gimbal head is unique in that it is the ONLY gimbal head on the market that has "Fluid Dampening" of both axis' of motion. You use a Sigma 120-400mm lens, which is typical of most long zoom lenses in that they change length as you zoom, this also has a drastic effect on the balance of the assembly. The fluid dampening of the Nest swing arm assembly allows the head to control the out-of-balance motion of the lens caused by this length shift. An undampened head will allow the lens to fall and strike the base of the head, often putting a dent in the extension barrel that can prevent the lens from retracting completely. The Nest dampening still allows the out-of-balance assembly to droop, but the speed of the descent is controlled and when the lens barrel contacts the head base, is is done so very lightly with no chance of damage occuring.

I hope this info helps answer questions that may be out there. Feel free to ask question about the Nest Pro products any time as I am the USA distributor for these products.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The other answers and videos have covered it pretty good. I have 2 comments.

1. The main camera controls are operated with the right hand so the knobs on the head should be on the left to operate them with the left hand. With the knobs on the right the photographer would be constantly letting go of the camera to go to the knobs and back. Awkward!!

2. As to the stiffness: (cut and pasted from 2 PMs MT Shooter sent when I asked about this)
The initial stiffness is due to the fluid dampening lube not yet fully disbursed and will loosen in time with use (longer in cold climates).
The bearing pre-load is factory pre-set on the swing arm and cannot be adjusted. The bearing pre-load on the panning base may be adjusted via the large hex screw on top of the panning base. (Just do not loosen the three little ones, they hold the carbon fiber neck to the panning base mechanism) Loosen it 1/6 to 1/4 turn to free up the base. I have found the pre-load settings about perfect for 12-15 pound combos but a bit stiff for the 5-10 pound combos. But the factory has to find a good average since the head is rated to 55 pounds load.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Here's a 30 second video I made showing first how the Nest will hold position when properly balanced then, when the lens is zoomed out and the balance is shifted, the damping lets the load down gently.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqniqn2NAYQ

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Just personal preference, the knobs can go on either side. I put them on the right. If I'm panning and tilting, I won't be operating the gimbal tension knobs and the camera controls at the same time. It becomes intuitive to reach with the right hand to tighten them when I want to.

Meantime, my left hand is under the lens for added stability and I can easily operate the zoom and focus rings, which would be blocked if the gimbal neck was on the left.

The one other thing I love with a gimbal is a leveling base.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/886344-REG/Sunwayfoto_DYH_66i_Leveling_Base.html

Under a hundred bucks. How's it work? Instead of having to fiddle with each of the three tripod legs to get the camera level, which is best done by taking the camera off the gimbal, adjusting the legs and remounting the camera (pain in the butt), loosen one lever, level the base with the bubble level, lock the base down again. Only takes a few seconds. :)

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

Same for me, Larry.
Gimble knobs to my right, lens to my left.
It's a natural.
Maybe a South-Paw finds bass-akwards better fer them. :?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yes, personal preference right or left. But if someone who never used one asked I would tell them knobs on the left. If they decide to do it your way later, OK.
But example of why my way. Hunting for a subject that is sitting still, find it, focus want to wait for the bird to stick it's head out again,change poses, land on that twig again or use the remote shutter release to reduce movement now that everything is set up. I hold steady with my right hand while looking through the view finder to make sure it stays on target and thighten the knobs with my left hand. Then I let go. If the bird lands etc. while I am doing this I just press the shutter. If you hold the lens with your left and reach for the knobs with your right and the subject lands etc you have to reverse motions and grab the camera again. I'll bet you get a little extra movement in the whole rig.

I am partly ambidextrous. Some things I do as well left as right, usually just slower. A few I do better left handed, like operate my cell phone, I carry it on my left side and reach for it etc left handed, leaves the right free for more precise things. (It is not a smart phone, the only reason I have ever been tempted to get one of those is for camera remote apps.)

tmehrkam Loc: Houston,Tx

Us south paws learn to be more flexible. I can shoot a right handed bolt action rifle as natural as a left handed model. Give the left handed rifle to a south paw and he shoots his toe off trying to work the action.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Not that anyone has asked, but I have used at least 7 models of gimbal heads in the last 25 years and gooseneck styles I always mount to the right. If on the left they are always in the way of zooming or focusing. And I never bother to lock the knobs when shooting, for me that is only used for locking down for transport.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

OK, I am the odd duck out, no problem, I have been there many times before.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Its al a matter of what works best for the individual.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

I'm ambidextrous too, Griz.
I'm right handed. But left footed. :lol:

As an electrician, I also learned to work with one hand, while holding a cup of coffee in the other. (Part of that was to not make a path across your heart if you get shocked, too.)

What is sauce for some isn't for others. ;)

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

The military made everyone left footed. Lord help you if you stepped off with your right foot.
I know the reason for that, it involved the old days when the troops stood in line and fired from the shoulder. Most are right handed, hold a rifle up to fire right handed, now try to stand with the right foot forward, you will be off balance and have to twist to aim anywhere but to the left.