Bemyar gimbal head
Jun 19, 2019 12:57:21 #
Has any of the group had experience with the Bemyar gimbal head? I saw the. On face book and advertising it for $69.99 normally $175.00.
I just purchased the AF Nikon 200-500 lens and was thinking about this to replace my standard head on my tripod.
Thank you for any comments.
Tim
I just purchased the AF Nikon 200-500 lens and was thinking about this to replace my standard head on my tripod.
Thank you for any comments.
Tim
Jun 19, 2019 17:34:39 #
Jun 19, 2019 19:46:34 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
At around 5 lb., the 200-500mm is not really a terribly heavy lens, so just about any of the gimbal heads on the market would be fine to use with it.
The "Bemyar" head is probably made by the same factory making the Neewer, Meike, Movo, yada, yada, yada... Nothing special and probably not all that smooth functioning, but cheap. I have one of those Chinese-made gimbals on a tripod and am always a bit nervous putting a big, heavy, expensive lens on it... but it's held up so far. Some day I'll upgrade to something better like the Nest.
Do you have a ball head on your tripod? If it's a heavy duty one with an Arca-style platform that can handle it, I'd recommend a gimbal adapter instead. Gimbal adapters simply fit into the existing ball head, without having to remove it and replace it with the gimbal. The ballhead provides the horizontal/panning movement, while the gimbal provides the tilt movement.
The weight of a "full size" gimbal versus a gimbal adapter plus ball head really isn't all that different. So it's really primarily a matter of convenience. The tripod with the gimbal handles big lenses... but remains usable for other purposes, once the adapter is removed. That's in contrast with the full size gimbal, which has to be removed in order for the tripod to serve other purposes.
In addition to the tripod with the full size gimbal, which is sort of dedicated to "long lenses only"... For more than fifteen years I've also used a Wimberley Sidekick on another tripod, with a heavy duty ball head. Works great!
There's a helpful chart comparing the types and brands of gimbal heads here: http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm
The "Bemyar" head is probably made by the same factory making the Neewer, Meike, Movo, yada, yada, yada... Nothing special and probably not all that smooth functioning, but cheap. I have one of those Chinese-made gimbals on a tripod and am always a bit nervous putting a big, heavy, expensive lens on it... but it's held up so far. Some day I'll upgrade to something better like the Nest.
Do you have a ball head on your tripod? If it's a heavy duty one with an Arca-style platform that can handle it, I'd recommend a gimbal adapter instead. Gimbal adapters simply fit into the existing ball head, without having to remove it and replace it with the gimbal. The ballhead provides the horizontal/panning movement, while the gimbal provides the tilt movement.
The weight of a "full size" gimbal versus a gimbal adapter plus ball head really isn't all that different. So it's really primarily a matter of convenience. The tripod with the gimbal handles big lenses... but remains usable for other purposes, once the adapter is removed. That's in contrast with the full size gimbal, which has to be removed in order for the tripod to serve other purposes.
In addition to the tripod with the full size gimbal, which is sort of dedicated to "long lenses only"... For more than fifteen years I've also used a Wimberley Sidekick on another tripod, with a heavy duty ball head. Works great!
There's a helpful chart comparing the types and brands of gimbal heads here: http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm
Jun 19, 2019 21:32:26 #
RowdyRay
Loc: MN
The Wimberley Sidekick gimbal adapter is 250.00. Unless you can find one used. Paired with a heavy duty ball head, you might as well just spend 4-5 hundred on a name brand gimbal.
Jun 20, 2019 09:27:40 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
Fatford wrote:
Has any of the group had experience with the Bemyar gimbal head? I saw the. On face book and advertising it for $69.99 normally $175.00.
I just purchased the AF Nikon 200-500 lens and was thinking about this to replace my standard head on my tripod.
Thank you for any comments.
Tim
I just purchased the AF Nikon 200-500 lens and was thinking about this to replace my standard head on my tripod.
Thank you for any comments.
Tim
My equipment deserves a Wimberley. In my opinion even a $1400 lens deserves the best. Wimberley will lose very little of it's value for resale. And it is as smooth as a babies b _ _ _. Yes, it is that smooth.
Jun 20, 2019 11:48:02 #
I ditched my gimbal for the Flexshooter Pro balanced spring double ballhead. A huge weight saving over gimbals at only 700g and solid as a rock.
Jun 20, 2019 13:00:38 #
I have used the Neewer version and am fairly pleased with it. Not as good as the higher priced heads, but would not expect it to be. But, for my occasional flight shooting it works OK.
Jun 20, 2019 13:28:09 #
It works great with a 5dIV and a 100-400. It takes 2-3 seconds to get it balanced and it works great.
Jun 20, 2019 16:05:27 #
I ordered one, and think it is not even worth the $69.00 . Tried to get in touch with them through their website and by phone. No response back. Have challenged the charge with my credit card company and still no response back. Would not waste my money.
Jun 20, 2019 16:46:06 #
I bought his one after being discouraged by some of the exorbitant prices I was seeing. A friend also bought one to see if it was any good and when he found it was excellent I bought one. It's beautifully made, all threads, etc are stainless steel and it's extremely smooth. I use it with my D500 and my Sigma 150-600mm lens and have no issues with it at all.
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