Tripod Gimbal Head: Can anyone recommend one of these that will be robust enough to handle a D850 plus Sigma 150-600mm, fit a Manfrotto tripod and not break the bank?

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Can anyone recommend one of these that will be robust enough to handle a D850 plus Sigma 150-600mm, fit a Manfrotto tripod and not break the bank?

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

hobbit123 wrote:

Can anyone recommend one of these that will be robust enough to handle a D850 plus Sigma 150-600mm, fit a Manfrotto tripod and not break the bank?

This guy makes his own, has been doing it successfully for years in his own garage (I've been there, met him, even purchased from him) and he's quite content to "post abroad".

And there have even been UHH US customers who have bought and been happy with something "made in England" ......chuckle, chuckle !!

No need to lash out lots of cash buying from "the big boys" that many US UHH folk will recommend.

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

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

craggycrossers wrote:

This guy makes his own, has been doing it successfully for years in his own garage (I've been there, met him, even purchased from him) and he's quite content to "post abroad".

And there have even been UHH US customers who have bought and been happy with something "made in England" ......chuckle, chuckle !!

No need to lash out lots of cash buying from "the big boys" that many US UHH folk will recommend.

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

Many thanks. The video of the RH2 makes the product look very good and the price is reasonable.

CO

I like my Jobu Jr.3 gimbal. It weighs only 1.5 pounds but can support up to 12 pounds. I use it with my Nikon D500 and 80-400mm lens. Your D850 with 150-600mm lens weighs about 6 pounds if it's the contemporary version of the lens. It would be about 8.3 pounds if it's the sport version of the lens. That would be well within the capacity of the gimbal. The Jobu gimbal has precision needle bearings and the thrust bearing in the tilt axis. It has finely adjustable friction on the tilt axis. They designed a bushing for the panning axis that supplies a light amount of friction. I use it on a Manfrotto tripod. There's also a Jobu Jr. 3 deluxe. It has the Arca-Swiss clamp machined into the swing arm.

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hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

CO wrote:

I like my Jobu Jr.3 gimbal. It weighs only 1.5 pounds but can support up to 12 pounds. I use it with my Nikon D500 and 80-400mm lens. Your D850 with 150-600mm lens weigh about 6 pounds so it would be well within the capacity. The Jobu gimbal has precision needle bearings and the thrust bearing in the tilt axis. It has finely adjustable friction on the tilt axis. They designed a bushing for the panning axis that supplies a light amount of friction. I use it on a Manfrotto tripod.

Thank you for your suggestion. The only issue I have with it is that landed her in Australia it is > AUD$500. It may be worth that but it's more than I want to spend for a tripod head at this stage.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

I use the WH-200 Wimberley Gimbal Version II (I think I paid $595 in USA) with my D5, D500, D850 with up to Nikon 600mm and would never think of using something less. After spending a small fortune on cameras & lenses it makes no sense to me looking to save a few bucks on an inferior tripod and or head". Anything worth while starts with a good foundation... anything.

Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

CO: Nice rig but tell me more about the base plate that's supporting the lens and has the Arca mount. That looks like a nice addition to my Gimbal where some of my lenses don't have the lens mount and it would help support them. Did you buy it or have it machined to your specs? I would be game for one.

CO

Kaib795 wrote:

CO: Nice rig but tell me more about the base plate that's supporting the lens and has the Arca mount. That looks like a nice addition to my Gimbal where some of my lenses don't have the lens mount and it would help support them. Did you buy it or have it machined to your specs? I would be game for one.

You can buy a similar one from Andoer. I think there's another make on the market as well. I'll post a photo below. I made the one in the photo I posted. I'm a machinist and have access to a machine shop. I got the dimensions for the Arca-Swiss plate on the Really Right Stuff website. They publish the print for their Arca-Swiss dovetail design on their website. I used a 45 degree dovetail cutter on a milling machine. It's still raw aluminum in the photo. I sent the pieces out to a metal finishing facility for black hard anodizing later. I used 3/4" thick polyurethane for the lens support. I had to order the hardest polyurethane with a hardness of durometer 95. Softer polyurethane would rip and tear when machining with milling cutter.

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Kaib795 Loc: Maryland, USA

My brother has a machine shop as a side job but after going through a recent surgery, I'll pass on making one with him for now and will get the Andoer model. The only improvement might be a scale on the side of it but I can mark it with a silver pen for my balance positions. Thanks for your post.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

hobbit123 wrote:

Can anyone recommend one of these that will be robust enough to handle a D850 plus Sigma 150-600mm, fit a Manfrotto tripod and not break the bank?

I used a Manfrotto 393 for over 10 years withe a 600mm F4.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554099-REG/Manfrotto_393_393_Heavy_Duty_Gimbal.html

It is rock solid and very rigid.

However, ever since getting a Sigma Sport 150-600 I hardly ever use it any more. I find myself shooting at 1/500 or shorter on most of my images.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

Here you go. I have this one and it will certainly do what you want.
https://www.tripodhead.com/products/wimberley-main.cfm

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

hobbit123 wrote:

Can anyone recommend one of these that will be robust enough to handle a D850 plus Sigma 150-600mm, fit a Manfrotto tripod and not break the bank?

So what you'er saying is you want to mount $4500.00 + equipment on a $1.99 gimbal head.
Your best bet is to save your money and buy a good head than buying so-so cheaper heads and eventually spending more money later for a Well made sturdy head.
I studied gimbals early on at the time Wimberly W200 was the best on the market @ approx. $700 US
Which today I consider it over priced But worth the money to me.
A couple of years ago I bought a Nest carbon fiber head for my girl friend $350.00 US after using it I think it is every bit as good as my Wimberly. Sadly the only U.S. Distributer has closed up shop. I see they are available on Amazon.

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Manglesphoto wrote:

So what you'er saying is you want to mount $4500.0... (show quote)

I don't want the "best on the market". That's for the people with more money than sense. I just want something that will do the job at a reasonable price.

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Gene51 wrote:

I used a Manfrotto 393 for over 10 years withe a 600mm F4.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/554099-REG/Manfrotto_393_393_Heavy_Duty_Gimbal.html

It is rock solid and very rigid.

However, ever since getting a Sigma Sport 150-600 I hardly ever use it any more. I find myself shooting at 1/500 or shorter on most of my images.

If you no longer use it do you want to sell it?

I don't understand this "However, ever since getting a Sigma Sport 150-600 I hardly ever use it any more. I find myself shooting at 1/500 or shorter on most of my images". Wouldn't shooting at a slower shutter speed be even more reason to have support with such a long lens?

Saycheeze Loc: Ct

I’ll second the lens master from the guy in England. I’ve had one for several years. It holds a D5 and 200-500 With no problems. I photograph dancers and wildlife with it. Serves its purpose at a reasonable price. Only took 1 week to get it from England.