amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

For close to 20 years I've used gimbals with several large lenses including 300mm and 500mm primes that do not change size, as well as with a 100-400mm that does. While internal focusing (IF) lenses and internal zooming (IZ) zoom lenses balance best on a gimbal because the equilibrium doesn't change, it certainly is possible to use a gimbal with a lens that changes size and equilibrium. I do it all the time.

A key factor is all the lenses I use on gimbals have tripod mounting collars. Even some use smaller, lighter lenses with collars I don't use on a gimbal because equilibrium is more dramatically upset AND because those lenses just don't benefit much from the gimbal. They just feel "uncomfortable" to use on it. In my case, lenses I never use on a gimbal for these reasons include 70-200mm f/2.8 and 300mm f/4... each of which the lens alone weigh more than the original poster's entire Sony RX10 camera with it's non-interchangeable lens. With all the add-ons being discussed (a gimbal, a long lens support and probably an L-bracket unless only horizontal/landscape shots are ever taken)... their camera will probably double in weight AND be slower to use.

Add to this that the original poster asks specifically about using a gimbal to shoot birds in flight.... which is usually not advisable. Although a gimbal is faster to use than some other types of tripod heads, it's slower than shooting hand held and the gimbal will make it more difficult to track smaller, faster, erratically moving subjects.

So I stand by my original response.... The OP's camera and the subject matter the OP wants to shoot with it simply won't work well with a gimbal. They need to look at other options. I don't know what those might be, but suggested... Perhaps a monopod with a monopod head (which differ from tripod heads in that a monopod head only has one axis of adjustment... tilt). "Shooting sticks" or a "belly pod" are possible variations on that idea.

Some more ideas:

Wimberley also is now offering a "MonoGimbal"... a gimbal head specifically for use on a monopod. That might be faster to use and may work for BIF photography. I have not tried the MonoGimbal and can't say. I think Steve Perry has a video about it on Youtube. Might want to watch that and see what he thinks about it. While it may work for BIF photography with a DSLR and a lens with a tripod collar, I don't think this is a solution for a Sony RX10. So I doubt it will help the OP. Not to mention that the MonoGimbal ain't cheap at $179 plus the cost of a sturdy monopod to use it upon and the necessary Arca-compatible plates for lenses to be used upon it.

https://tripodhead.com/products/monopodhead-main.cfm



That's an interesting idea, too! I forgot about those, even though I used one briefly many, many years ago for sports photography with film cameras. I don't remember if it was made for photography or if I adapted something else. The main problem was it's bulk. A modern one made of plastic with a minimalist or "skeletal" design might be a lot smaller and lighter. You typically need a wired "remote switch" on one of those, to be able to fire the shutter. (I used a standard cable release... but those don't work with modern cameras.)

Bushhawk is no longer made and the BIF Bullseye appears to not have gotten "kick started". Maybe some of these others are available, or a Magpul AR-15 stock could be adapted: https://www.google.com/search?q=camera+shoulder+stock&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk00DloOvQqU8_kAowWlplh0LcTxhnw:1618418989042&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQ2MHHmP7vAhWkFzQIHX2jACYQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1920&bih=1106

I recall I also briefly tried out a "shoulder stock" that attached to a monopod. That was quite compact and lightweight. I don't think it was all that helpful for me and don't know if it would help the OP with their camera. Manfrotto currently makes their #361, I think. You'll need a monopod to use it upon, too.

Finally, another thing that OP might want to try one of the "pistol grip" type tripod heads. Those are pretty fast handling and might work for some BIF. Maybe on a tripod or a monopod? The main drawback is they aren't able to support very much weight, but that shouldn't be an issue with a 2.5 lb. Sony RX10. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Tripod-Heads/ci/140/N/4075788769?filters=fct_head-type_1544%3Apistol-grip-heads

MDI Mainer

"Will not work" and "will not work well" are not equivalent. The first is a statement of fact, overbroad and literally not true. The second is a statement of your opinion and experience, which is entitled to acceptance and respect. As the saying goes "words matter."

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Some people have handicaps or physical challenges or just personal preferences which may be served by using a gimbal type support even on smaller rigs without an OEM tripod collar ......there ARE possibilities.
.

chaim

I'm shooting using manual setting with floating ISO, so I can certainly increase the shutter speed. I mostly shoot at 1/1250. I captured this barn swallow yesterday without a tripod.

(Download)

chaim

So you know the camera's limitations. I have the Topaz suite but have mostly used Sharpen. I'll try bumping up my ISO to 800 and using deNoise. Thanks.

chaim

Great advice since it does seem like the gimbal head is not the most appropriate for my purposes or equipment. I'm only 76 so as they say, "it's never too late..." I'll get a couple of 5 or 10 pound weights.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Yes, that’s barely fast enough for BIF. As you can see it by still wasn’t fast enough for the wing tips, (which I generally don’t mind a little blur on). That’s generally fast enough for bigger, slower birds, but you could go twice that for smaller birds. I think Steve Perry recommends at least 1/1600 and usually tries for 1/3200.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Bushhawk! Thanks! I could not remember the name. I had one in the mid 90's. It had a trigger built in to the front handle. You need to add a release cord. At the time I was just a bird watcher and used primarily as a mount for a scope.