Joexx

Hunts has the Promaster GH25 Professional Gimbal Head Kit on sale for about 1/2 price ($150). Is this Gimbal head any good? I am thinking of using it for a Nikon D750 with a 200-500 lens. There are other options even less expensive. Does anyone have a suggestion. I will not be using this all that much, so I would rather keep the cost to under $150, But I do not want to get something that works poorly. Thanks

JPringle Loc: Australia

Hi Joexx

I can't help with the Promaster, but I've recently switched from a cheaper Gimbal to the Manfrotto 393. I was having a few tensioning issues with the cheaper one after a couple of good years. Made in China, pretty solid and the bearing issues may well have been abuse/lack of care/lack of cleaning through my ignorance. No chance of spare parts from the supplier but I'll get around to pulling it apart. I mainly use the Manfrotto with a Canon 1DIV and and EF 300 and x2 teleconverter. I'm finding it OK, and easy to find balance, although it doesn't really have a lock position.

Phil

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I haven't used one, but there's no 5-star reviews for the product on amazon, for what that informal survey implies.

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

I have one, all metal. Heavy but stability is good. It has never creeped or suddenly loosened. I use it on my carbon fiber tripod with a D750 and 150-600 lens. Totally trust it. I am sure others will give you a better review.

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

I have no experience with the Promaster, or any gimbal under $400, other than a Manfrotto 393 - but that is another story.

What bothers me is that the cheaper gimbals are made in India or China, to look just like the industry standard - the Wimberley. But they are not made the same. I will never understand why someone would go out and spend $1000+ on a computer, $1000+ on a camera, and $1000+ on a lens, and even consider putting it on a $150 head.

Robeng Loc: California

Because they are cheap and don't know better!

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Do most gimbals use sleeve or roller bearings? I would expect Wimberleys (or equivalent) to use roller and the lesser expensive heads to use sleeves?

jcboy3

I have the GH25, and use it with a D750 or D500 and 200-500mm lens. It works well. It does double duty as a multi-row panoramic head, although you have to add a double Arca clamp (which they should have included). It does have a few issues:

1. It uses the horrible black grease used in lots of cheap Chinese gear (although even some Manfrotto gear uses it as well). Very sticky, not viscous. I tore down the horizontal bearing and cleaned it out, replacing with a good silicone grease. I left it in the vertical bearing for damping, because the vertical bearing does not have a friction adjustment (it's indexed).

2. Speaking of the vertical bearing, it's indexed. Which means it will lock securely in fixed positions. The first one I bought, however, was misaligned so it wouldn't lock at 90 degrees. I got them to arrange a swap at my local camera store; the replacement is fine.

3. If you mount the head on the horizontal indexer, you need to use an Arca plate (they provide). This is a single point contact, and it has a tendency to work loose if you use it as a gimbal head while mounted on the indexer. I fixed that by drilling holes in the base and using the Arca security screws as a second/third point of contact. You can get by without doing that if you realize that the indexer should not be attached if you are using it as a gimbal. I like a robust solution, and am always willing to drill some holes in my gear to achieve that result.

So what do I like about it? It's light. It works with lighter lenses (the telephoto zooms are okay). You don't want to use it with a 500 or 600mm prime lens...too heavy. And it comes apart and packs up very compactly (it's like the RRS head, only not as robust). So it doesn't take up a lot of room in my back pack, and hauling it is not a strain. I've used it for shooting the Burton US Open Snowboard Championship...you have to hike up the hill to get there.

I do not recommend the cheaper ProMaster (Wimberly style) head. That one is a real POS.

My other recommendation would be to consider the GH-13 gimbal head made and sold by Rob Pleas. It's a smaller gimbal head as well, not suitable for the big primes but great for the telephoto zooms. I've worked with him on some design changes from his original version; I think it's pretty good now. All roller bearings. Good Arca mount. Not a Wimberly copy. But US made (which is nice, when available). And inexpensive, and very easy to tear down to clean and lubricate. He has a nice flash mount adapter as well, if you are into the "better beamer" approach. There are some British heads, but most are Chinese. Not saying that's bad, but it's nice to get some American gear every once in awhile.

jcboy3

I think a $150 head is just fine for a $1000 lens. It's those $11,000 lenses that need a more robust head.

lone ranger Loc: Port Saint Lucie, Florida

I purchased a Wimberley Gimble Head, I find it to be excellent, check out the reviews on Amazon.....

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Try the Nest gimble. Great damping and carbon fiber for around $300/

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

...and maybe you have not tried the Promaster. I didn't pay $150 for my GH25, I got it on a special promotion with Tamron 150-600. This is the first time I ever strayed from Canon glass, and it was a good move. I've spent hours tracking and photographing wildlife with this combination. The gimbal is extremely adjustable, very smooth and very secure and strong. I can't understand how people who have no experience continue to offer opinions on this site. I do recommend the product regardless of what you pay for it.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Promaster is Tokina's budget line (in lenses at least)

wapiti Loc: round rock, texas

Gene 51 said:
What bothers me is that the cheaper gimbals are made in India or China, to look just like the industry standard - the Wimberley. But they are not made the same. I will never understand why someone would go out and spend $1000+ on a computer, $1000+ on a camera, and $1000+ on a lens, and even consider putting it on a $150 head.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida