jefflane

I would strongly recommend the Acratech GP Ball-Head rather than the long lens head. It's much more versatile and easier to manage. I used the long lens pano head with 7 lb lens but since lightening up, have gone back to the ball head. Less than a pound.

https://www.acratech.net/gp-ball-head-by-acratech-with-gimbal-and-pan-feature/

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The Wimberley Sidekick can support much more than that... almost as much as the heaviest duty, full size gimbals.

While a gimbal adapter is a good idea for tripod versatility, most of them are not going to save much or any weight. In most cases a gimbal adapter AND a ballhead to use it upon will weigh approx. the same as a full size gimbal head. (The difference is that the adapter/ballhead can quickly be swapped back and forth for use with various lenses... while the full size gimbal replaces any other head on the tripod rendering it pretty much "long lens only".)

An exception is the Jobu BWG-M1 "Micro". That's a particularly compact and light gimbal adapter.... under 1 lb. Paired up with a mid-size ballhead, it should be fine with lenses up to around 100-400mm (3.5 to 4 lb.) and a typical DSLR. The "low profile" design of the BWG Micro may require a spacer to work with some lenses... or with other lenses a replacement tripod mounting ring or foot on the lens itself. There are low profile replacement feet for the Sony 100-400mm (I use a Hejnar Photo foot on my Canon 100-400mm... http://www.hejnarphotostore.com/product-p/sfr-002.htm... RRS and Kirk also make them.

An example of a mid-size ballhead to use with it is the Oben BE-117, which supports up to 17 lb., while weighing less than 1 lb. There are many other similar ballheads (and if you are shopping for a tripod, too, some come with a matched ballhead).

Jobu BWG Micro: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/754602-REG/Jobu_Design_BWG_M1_BWG_Micro_Gimbal_Ballhead_Adapter.html

Oben BE-117: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/887592-REG/oben_be_117_ball_head.html/specs (Note: To use with a gimbal adapter, any ballhead MUST have an Arca-compatible QR platform AND an independent panning movement.)

Be careful putting these (or anything else) on too light or too compact a tripod. Too small diameter legs, too many leg sections, a center column you need to raise a lot every time you use a tripod are all things that can severely effect tripod stability. That said, there may be some ideas here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/buying-guide/travel-tripods Many "travel" tripods come with a matched ballhead. Among the ones on this list, the Benro Travel Angel Series 2 caught my eye. To me it seems a reasonable compromise of weight (4 lb.), price ($399 w/ballhead), etc. (I just wish it were a little bit taller and could be set up without a center column, like the larger/heavier Gitzo I use.)

Finally, here's a fairly good list of gimbals of all types, with specifications, that you might find useful: http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm



Hey, if you want to trust your $5000 worth of camera and lens to the world's cheapest gimbal head, who am I to argue!

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

The amount of information and advice obtained through UHH members is astounding. Whoever created this forum deserves many kudos !

Happy Holidays to all who have contributed so much !

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

That is a pretty inexpensive gimbal, personally I would look for a carbon fiber head but I don't see the need to spend $600 to $700. Nest has been pretty well received, this store is owned by a member here, you might check it out.

https://www.cameracottage.com/equipment