gimbal heads: Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon...

Mark7S

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

Have you considered Nest brand. It is what I use, on a Nest tripod. The US distributor for Nest Gimbal heads is MT Shooter here on UHH.

https://www.cameracottage.com/

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

I would go with the Movo GH 700$100 or $200 for Carbon fiber
https://express.google.com/u/0/product/155989082478087562_7124189868586290113_100176220?utm_source=google_shopping&utm_medium=tu_cu&utm_content=eid-lsjeuxoeqt&gtim=CMOl_aWsjsXtQxDxxZWC2Yvxr0gYsLvULyIDVVNEKKDXweAFMNyi4i8&utm_campaign=100176220&gclid=Cj0KCQiAxZPgBRCmARIsAOrTHSYsLbwwOnx_DBPJB_y98lG7H2APj9BA079nnxYALti3kukxEPo4_fsaApcQEALw_wcB

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

I have the Benro GH2 and I've been using it with a 14lb camera and lens setup for years. No problem so far. About the only thing I can say about the Wimberly is that they are a great company and will stand behind their heads. A friend of mine dropped his tripod as he fell down a hill and broke his camera, lens, and bent the Wimberly. He sent it in to Wimberly and they fixed it like new. You couldn't tell it had ever been in an accident. You won't get that kind of product from Benro or Promaster. I have no comment on Promaster. I've never even seen one.

jcboy3

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

The better comparison is between the Promaster GH25 and the Benro GH3. And the RRS gimbal head. The GH25 can be used as a multi-row panoramic head; the Benro cannot. As a gimbal, the Benro is probably sturdier; I wouldn't load a 600mm f4 on the Promaster.

I like the Promaster with a telephoto zoom. It has the advantage of portability; it breaks down to 3 pieces that take up minimal room. And it can be used as a multi-row panoramic head; it comes with an indexed rotator. You do need to add a double sided Arca clamp.

For the lenses you are considering, the Promaster is quite good.

Or you can consider an American made gimbal, made by Rob Pleas. I've worked with him on improvements to his original design, and it is quite nice now.

http://www.gimbaltripodhead.com

Chris Hayes

If you already have a sturdy tripod and a good strong ball head consider the Wimberly Sidekick. It gives you the usability of the gimbal without loosing the ball head for when you don't need the gimbal. It runs around $250 and is beautifully made. It also is much smaller to cary than a full gimbal head, fits right in your bag.

Chris

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

robertjerl wrote:

Have you considered Nest brand. It is what I use, on a Nest tripod. The US distributor for Nest Gimbal heads is MT Shooter here on UHH.

https://www.cameracottage.com/

CO

One thing you have to make sure of is that the head has dampening on both the tilt and pan axis. I rented the Induro GHB2 head once. It has no dampening at all. I hated it. Movements were too jerky. I've used the Wimberly WH200. It has very nice, adjustable dampening. I ended up purchasing a Jobu Jr.2 gimbal head. It weighs only 1.5lbs but can support up to 12lbs. It has finely adjustable dampening on the tilt axis. They developed a bushing for the pan axis that supplies smooth dampening.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

If I were in the market for a full size gimbal, I'd probably get the Nest. Looks like a really good value.

But I use a gimbal adapter instead. That way my tripod can be quickly switched back and forth for use with large lenses or not.

I use a Wimberley Sidekick, but the Induro GHBA is pretty similar and about $50 cheaper. The Jobu BWG adapter is a lot smaller and lighter, but not up to supporting some of the lenses I use (300mm f2.8, 500mm f/4.... 6 to 8 lb., approx.)

EDIT: None of these are dampened, but in 15 years using the Sidekick I've never felt the need for it.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

robertjerl wrote:

Have you considered Nest brand. It is what I use, on a Nest tripod. The US distributor for Nest Gimbal heads is MT Shooter here on UHH.

https://www.cameracottage.com/

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

Highly recommend a Lensmaster, will run you about $260 US. You can check them out here. Happy shooting...

https://www.lensmaster.co.uk/rh2.htm

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

MOST of the guys and gals I shoot with at many of Florida's wildlife preserves shoot WITHOUT a tripod because a tripod really limits you when it comes to wildlife photography.
That said, your rig is considered light in terms of what you need in a gimbal head. I use the best because I have a lot invested in my equipment, so I use the Wimberly. Manfrotto makes a very nice one, and it works well once balanced and does not cost an arm and a leg. And the reviews are very good. You should check it out.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554099-REG/Manfrotto_393_393_Heavy_Duty_Gimbal.html

Mark7S

all comments much appreciated - so far narrowed down to Sirui PH20 to with my Induro CLT303 tripod (my old Gitzo 1227 is just too light) or Movo - am finding it a little tough to hand hold - saw a lot of Wimberly at Wakodahatchee last weekend

CO

Have you seen the Zenelli gimbal heads? They seem to be the ultimate in gimbal heads but a little pricey.

ervinada Loc: Hollywood, Florida

Mark7S wrote:

Anyone have experience with Promaster GH25 vs Benro GH2- did not want to spend the $$ for Wimberly WH200. any other thoughts. will likely be on a Indurio CLT303 and Nikon D7500 with Tamron 150-600G2 or Nikon 80-200. appreciated

You might want to take a look at the Neewer carbon fiber head. I have been using one for more than a year atop a Benro carbon fiber tripod with my D810 and now my D850 with MBD18 grip and a Sigma 150-600 Sport lens (not exactly a lightweight combo). I experience no slippage and smooth movement. When I purchased mine Neewer was still selling it as a Seven Oak but they are now marketing it strictly as a Neewer. Their description is as follows: "Neewer Professional Heavy Duty Carbon Fiber 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4 inch Quick Release Plate and Bubble Level for DSLR Cameras up to 30pounds/13.6kilograms."