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Need your input on gimbal vs. arca head on tripod.
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Feb 13, 2019 10:11:15   #
Way2slk Loc: Bluffton SC
 
The question is...... should I leave the gimbal head on the tripod or only change out when i am going to use my 500mm? I can see pros and cons, but want feedback. I can see the versatility of the gimbal for landscapes and wildlife, but I can see the limitations for macro.

I am a novice and asking for some outstanding advice from the group. I value all of your opinions, as I have learned so much from the site.

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Feb 13, 2019 10:18:58   #
Jbat Loc: Charleston, SC
 
I use my gimbal for my large lens, i.e. 100-400. For all else, I use my ball head. It just takes a minute to change them. For me, the gimbal is great for use with the heavy lens but it is heavier also and not as easy to carry so it works better for me to change it when not using the heavy lens.

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Feb 13, 2019 10:19:18   #
JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington
 
Gimbal for your 500 is a yes. For everything else, a ball head.

Best solution, look for a used tripod and put the ball head on the tripod you will use the most and the gimbal on the second tripod. If your 500 use is fairly limited and you are not carrying it long distances then a used aluminum tripod can be found for relatively little money. Saves a lot of time switching out heads.

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Feb 13, 2019 10:20:19   #
rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX
 
I use my gimbal for everything including macro which is what I shoot the most.
I find a ball head very difficult to use when trying to frame up a macro shot.
My macro setup is big and heavy and the gimbal allows me to move it around easily.
You can't beat a gimbal for chasing bees from flower to flower.

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Feb 13, 2019 10:23:23   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Way2slk wrote:
The question is...... should I leave the gimbal head on the tripod or only change out when i am going to use my 500mm? I can see pros and cons, but want feedback. I can see the versatility of the gimbal for landscapes and wildlife, but I can see the limitations for macro.

I am a novice and asking for some outstanding advice from the group. I value all of your opinions, as I have learned so much from the site.


Yes, it would be difficult to do macro with a swing arm gimbal - but easier if you had a side mount gimbal. With the side mount, you would have to use an L bracket with one on these -

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leofoto-NR-100-NR-140-NR-200-multi-function-panorama-node-long-board-clamp/253584903834?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=552795944583&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

when using a lens without a tripod collar.

..

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Feb 13, 2019 10:24:03   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
It depends, sometimes simply on which head is already mounted. I used to only use the gimbal when I had a large gimbal-specific lens mounted. But more often now, I just leave it on until maybe the gimbal makes it hard / awkward to travel with the tripod. Then, the ball head tends to stay on until the gimbal is the must again.

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Feb 13, 2019 10:24:34   #
Way2slk Loc: Bluffton SC
 
Thank you for your response and that surely makes sense. I will make a test of both as I honestly just got the gimbal head.

Thanks again.

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Feb 13, 2019 10:30:39   #
Way2slk Loc: Bluffton SC
 
thank you for your response. I will investigate the ebay site.

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Feb 13, 2019 10:35:13   #
davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel
 
Way2slk wrote:
The question is...... should I leave the gimbal head on the tripod or only change out when i am going to use my 500mm? I can see pros and cons, but want feedback. I can see the versatility of the gimbal for landscapes and wildlife, but I can see the limitations for macro.

I am a novice and asking for some outstanding advice from the group. I value all of your opinions, as I have learned so much from the site.


Pros and cons? Yes and no? Convenient or inconvenient? Costly or inexpensive? What really counts is the answer that produces the best photograph. The simple solution might be to get a second tripod, or use a monopod. Think like a photographer, explore all your resourses. Look at the BIG PICTURE!

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Feb 13, 2019 10:51:48   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
Way2slk wrote:
Thank you for your response and that surely makes sense. I will make a test of both as I honestly just got the gimbal head.

Thanks again.


Is it a swing arm or side mount ??

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Feb 13, 2019 11:35:09   #
pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA
 
I think this is quite personal so long as one doesn’t push the edges of weight limitations. FWIW I use my gimbal for animals because they move around. Birds in flight, not so much. Additionally I use 3 way heads over balls more often than not. But to be fair that’s rooted in owning a few balls of average quality. Once I purchased a high grade ball I found myself using it more often. Whatever you land on I’d recommend you not purchase anything that isn’t of very high quality and fine adjustment without drooping. I have several moderately priced ball heads that are never used because they are nothing but a pia. Like buying lousy screwdrivers. False economy. Also, as others mentioned having more than one tripod with different mounts is great. Good luck.

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Feb 13, 2019 12:50:39   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
Way2slk wrote:
The question is...... should I leave the gimbal head on the tripod or only change out when i am going to use my 500mm? I can see pros and cons, but want feedback. I can see the versatility of the gimbal for landscapes and wildlife, but I can see the limitations for macro.

I am a novice and asking for some outstanding advice from the group. I value all of your opinions, as I have learned so much from the site.


Again, it all depends upon your LENS.
I do much of my macro work using the same gimbal head that I use for wildlife with my 600mm F4 lens. But that is because my 180mm F2.8 Macro lens also has a tripod collar on it making a perfect match for the two. 105mm and shorter focal length macro lenses do not come with a tripod collar for mounting on a gimbal so they are not really compatible.

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Feb 13, 2019 13:26:56   #
amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
 
Way2slk wrote:
The question is...... should I leave the gimbal head on the tripod or only change out when i am going to use my 500mm? I can see pros and cons, but want feedback. I can see the versatility of the gimbal for landscapes and wildlife, but I can see the limitations for macro.

I am a novice and asking for some outstanding advice from the group. I value all of your opinions, as I have learned so much from the site.


This is EXACTLY why I bought a gimbal adapter, instead of a full size gimbal head.

In my case, I got a Wimberley Sidekick (https://www.tripodhead.com/products/sidekick-main.cfm), but similar adapters are avail. from Induro, Jobu and possibly some others.

An adapter leaves the ballhead in place, installs in seconds to adapt it for gimbal use, and removes just as quickly to convert back for non-gimbal use. I often just leave the adapter installed on the head and simply rotate it downward alongside the tripod legs for more compact storage. The adapter will work with any reasonably heavy duty ballhead that has separate control for the panning axis has an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release platform. The adapter provides the vertical/tilt movement, while the ballhead continues to provide the horizontal/panning movement. I use the Sidekick with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead (https://www.kirkphoto.com/tripod-monopod-heads/ball-heads/bh-1-ball-head.html), but many others will work as well.

This is instead of a "full size" gimbal head which replaces the ballhead completely, making the lens pretty much "big/long/heavy telephoto lens only" while it's installed and requires removal of the gimbal & re-installation of the ballhead to switch the tripod back for non-gimbal use with shorter lenses on the camera.

Wimberley rates the Sidekick to handle up to 500mm f/4 lenses on fairly heavy DSLRs and it's done fine with mine for over 15 years. I've seen people use them with even heavier 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses, without any problems.

BTW, because gimbal adapters are "side mount", I also can fit a camera with a short lens in vertical/portrait orientation without need for a bulky/expensive L-bracket.

Also, another handy accessory with any gimbal is a leveling platform that fits between the head and the tripod. I use a Gitzo Series 3 Systematic tripod with their Leveling Platform that makes for much faster setups and easier adjustments any time I move the tripod. It adds about 1 lb. weight to the tripod, but I feel it's worth it.

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Feb 13, 2019 15:02:07   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
Way2slk wrote:
The question is...... should I leave the gimbal head on the tripod or only change out when i am going to use my 500mm? I can see pros and cons, but want feedback. I can see the versatility of the gimbal for landscapes and wildlife, but I can see the limitations for macro.

I am a novice and asking for some outstanding advice from the group. I value all of your opinions, as I have learned so much from the site.

I don't understand your topic title, most gimbals are acra heads (which only relates to the release)!

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Feb 13, 2019 15:48:02   #
imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida
 
MT Shooter wrote:
. 105mm and shorter focal length macro lenses do not come with a tripod collar for mounting on a gimbal so they are not really compatible.


But it is optional on the Canon 100 L IS .....

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