Lighter gimbal head for smaller camera setup
Dec 14, 2019 10:49:06 #
Ed Chu
Loc: Las Vegas NV
have switched from Nikon to Sony ( aR7 iii, and, an a6400 with Sony 100-400, a combo that's only about 4 pounds ); don't need the bigger heavy gimbal head I have now; trying to find a smaller, lighter, gimbal head that will hold at least (for the sake of argument ) 8-10 pounds. Also, perhaps a smaller lighter tripod to hold this head. really trying to cut down size and weight when traveling.
I found this one on Amazon, which holds up to 30 lbs.:
Professional Heavy Duty Metal 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4'' Quick Release Plate and Bubble Level for Digital SLR Cameras up to 30lbs/13.6 kg
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQKGS7M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
anyone have a better suggestion ?
I found this one on Amazon, which holds up to 30 lbs.:
Professional Heavy Duty Metal 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head with Arca-Swiss Standard 1/4'' Quick Release Plate and Bubble Level for Digital SLR Cameras up to 30lbs/13.6 kg
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQKGS7M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
anyone have a better suggestion ?
Dec 14, 2019 18:31:09 #
I have a Jobu Jr.3 gimbal head. It weighs only 1.5lbs. but can support up to 12lbs. It has needle bearings and a thrust bearing in the tilt axis and they designed a patented bushing for the panning axis that gives just the right amount of dampening. The tilt axis has finely adjustable dampening. I use it with my Nikon D500 with Nikon 80-400mm lens. It easily has enough capacity for that. There's also a Jobu Jr.3 deluxe gimbal that has the Arca-Swiss clamp machined into the swing arm. The Jobu Jr.3 is about 1lb lighter than the INSEESI IN-22 gimbal head.
Dec 15, 2019 05:35:05 #
Dec 15, 2019 06:05:17 #
Ed Chu wrote:
have switched from Nikon to Sony ( aR7 iii, and, a... (show quote)
It looks a little flimsy to my eye. And depending what site you look at - it either weighs 2.8 llbs or 4.4 lbs. There are complaints about the tilt feature - if you loosen it for tilting, it becomes wobbly, if you tighten enough to stop the wobble, then it's hard to tilt.
I think you found the absolute cheapest gimbal head I've ever seen. You have really nice camera gear - why risk it on cheap junk?
Take COs advice - the Jobu Jr. 3 is more robust and probably modestly rated at only 12 lb. load. I seriously doubt that the Inseesi handles 30 lbs or even 22 lbs.
Dec 15, 2019 06:25:32 #
Really Right Stuff as a lighter duty pano gimbal I believe. Just received their new catalog and magazine in the mail yesterday...
Dec 15, 2019 07:08:35 #
Dec 15, 2019 07:58:35 #
Ed Chu wrote:
have switched from Nikon to Sony ( aR7 iii, and, a... (show quote)
This is a direct from China buy. See Ali Express. So yo pay your money and take your chances. Why not call B&H or Pictureline and talk to a real person who will be there after the sale. You can also give your business to a local camera store if you have a reputable on available.
Dec 15, 2019 09:12:01 #
Ed Chu
Loc: Las Vegas NV
I'm not cheap, $50 vs $303 for the Jobu? No-brainer to try less expensive versions; can always return on Amazon if unsatisfactory
Dec 15, 2019 09:23:55 #
Ed Chu wrote:
I'm not cheap, $50 vs $303 for the Jobu? No-brainer to try less expensive versions; can always return on Amazon if unsatisfactory
All good luck!
Dec 15, 2019 10:46:15 #
Dec 15, 2019 12:37:19 #
JFCoupe
Loc: Kent, Washington
Wimberly Sidekick could be an option for you to look at. I know a friend uses one with his Fujica XT2 and I think a Canon 100-400 L lens plus adaptor.
Dec 15, 2019 12:54:15 #
JFCoupe wrote:
Wimberly Sidekick could be an option for you to look at. I know a friend uses one with his Fujica XT2 and I think a Canon 100-400 L lens plus adaptor.
I would use the Sidemount - the WH-200-S, not the Sidekick, which requires a fairly hefty ball head since the load on the stem will be mostly at 90° to it's intended design. The Sidemount attaches directly to the tripod with no need for a ball head.
Dec 15, 2019 12:58:11 #
Ed Chu wrote:
I'm not cheap, $50 vs $303 for the Jobu? No-brainer to try less expensive versions; can always return on Amazon if unsatisfactory
The problem with unsatisfactory is that it could result in unforeseeable damage - like when the camera and lens crashes to the ground. I am sure you will get whatever you paid for the cheap gimbal back from Amazon - not so sure you'd get anything back on the other gear. I would update my insurance policy if I were you.
All kidding aside - that thing is junk - it's hard to made a real gimbal head and sell it for under $250, and even then that is at the low end. There is such a thing as paying too little for something - and believe me, if this were a great product, the other manufacturers would be out of business.
Dec 15, 2019 15:56:58 #
assman
Loc: Grand Rapids, MI
Acratech long lens head. https://www.acratech.net/tripod-heads/long-lens-heads/long-lens-head/
Dec 15, 2019 16:20:08 #
Ed Chu wrote:
have switched from Nikon to Sony ( aR7 iii, and, a... (show quote)
With the smaller/lighter lens/camera you have, forget about gimbals ! Instead use a light weight/cheaper well named video fluid head. I am using a Manfro 502 on my tripod - but I have bigger lens than you. I have the smaller Surui VH-10 on my monopod . My friend had the same concerns as you and he had a full size gimbal. He saw my Sirui/monopod set up and we put a Sirui on his tripod - his biggest lens set-up is 7DII and 100-400 II. The Sirui is about $150 on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sirui-VH-10-Aluminum-Professional-Fluid-Video-Head/172494140982?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372
You will have to mount an A/S QR female receiver on the (standard?) video head receiver to comply with an A/S QR system.
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