craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

There ya' go ! I knew I'd seen US members buying, and happy with, the Lensmaster. I'm sure there are more.

I sold mine to a UK birder who's now in Spain and uses it on a Sony A7iii and their 200-600 FE lens.

Simply saying that you don't have to pay the highest prices if you know, or can be guided, where else to look for equal, sometimes greater, value. The world is much smaller thanks to the internet.

craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK

Have to admit you stumped me ! But being up for a challenge ...... came up with this .....

http://opticstripodchair.co.uk/

This what you have in mind? You got one?

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Most gimbal heads are "full size", completely replace the existing head on the tripod and fit to it via a standard 3/8" stud on the tripod. (Check under the head of your Manfrotto... but chances are 95% that's what it uses, too. FYI, most Manfrotto have some set screws underneath the head that need to be loosened before the head can be removed).

What head do you have on the tripod now? The reason I ask is because a "full size" gimbal completely replaces the existing head and makes the tripod "large telephoto lens only". If the only one of those you have is the Sigma 150-600mm, then that will be the only lens you'll be able to mount on the gimbal. You'll have to swap out the head in order to use the tripod by directly mounting the camera, with other, shorter lenses. A full size gimbal head is even rather uncomfortable to use with comparatively small/light lenses like 70-200mm f/2.8s.

The reason I bring all this up, is because there are alternatives.

One I have used for over 15 years is a ballhead/Wimberley Sidkick combo. In this case, the ballhead stays on the tripod, so it can be used with any camera and lens combo. When I want a gimbal action with a larger lens, I simply tip the Arca-compatible QR platform of the ballhead to the side and fit the Sidekick to it. The ballhead gives the panning action, while the gimbal provides tilt movements. Works great! I've used it with 300mm f/2.8, 100-400mm zoom, 500mm f/4 lenses primarily. The lens needs to have an Arca-compatible plate installed on its tripod foot (but this is true with any gimbal, not just the Sidekick). I can quickly and easily swap the tripod to use with big lenses or small, with no need for tools. The ballhead/Sidekick combo is about the same weight of many "full size" gimbals too (which would end up weighing a lot more if you also carry a standard head and tools to swap out with it in the field). The Sidekick and the Kirk BH-1 ballhead I use it with easily handle a very large 500mm f/4 (about 8 lb.), DSLR with grip (2 lb.) and other accessories such as flash brackets and flash (~2 lb.).

There are alternatives to the Sidekick.... other similar gimbal adapters that aren't as expensive. The Induro GHBA costs about $50 less and is nearly identical. Movo and Sevenoak are two more brands, cheaper Chinese "clones" of the Sidekick or GHBA. The even less expensive Jobu BWG "Micro" is too small and lightweight for a lens like your 150-600mm.

However, to use any of those adapters, you must first have a fairly heavy duty ballhead with an Arca-style QR platform installed on your tripod. (Note: Manfrotto does make at least one Arca-compatible head now... But many of theirs use proprietary QR designs that won't work... While I've modified a Manfrotto ballhead by installing an Arca-style platform on it, that will add cost and may not be easily done the way some Manfrotto heads are designed.)

Take a look at the following link, which lists and illustrates the four primary types of gimbals: U-post, Single Post/Bottom mount, Single post/side mount and Gimbal adapter...

http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm

That list is by no means complete. But it includes many of the major brands and provides good means of comparing among them.

For a more comprehensive list of what's available, see:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/products/Tripod-Heads/ci/140/N/4075788769?sort=PRICE_LOW_TO_HIGH&filters=fct_head-type_1544%3Agimbal-heads

In addition to the Sidekick adapter and ballhead that I use on one tripod, I have another set up for "big telephoto lens only" with a "full size" gimbal (J/single post type with bottom mounting platform). I use the Arca QR system on all my lenses and cameras.

Canisdirus

That's it...
No, I don't have one. It seems like a reasonable way to shoot if you have some property. I wouldn't want to lug it down a trail, but if I were to be in one place all day ... interesting concept.

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Then what is the 1/500? 1/500 of what?

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Thank you! That's the kind of response I was looking for. I've bought Neewer stuff before (grips, batteries and chargers) and it's all good value and well made.

EastWest

I bought a Neewer from Amazon for $80 and like it. It's smooth to operate, heavy - but not too heavy, and it supports my D850 and 200-500 firm and stable. A price tag has nothing to do with performance, but there is a curve.
https://smile.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Panoramic-Arca-Swiss-Standard/dp/B01I57SS5S/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1LKV30QIQKBPB&dchild=1&keywords=neewer+gimbal&qid=1590529964&sprefix=neewer+gim%2Caps%2C227&sr=8-2

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

Of a second - as in one five hundredth of a second. Refers to shutter speed. The larger the denominator (bottom number), the faster the shutter speed.

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

That's what I thought. My question was in relation to this comment:

"Gene51 did not say *slower shutter speed." He said "shorter," meaning faster."

So we have slower/faster and shorter in the same sentence. One is shutter speed and the other is focal length. The original comment was that he's stopped using the gimbal since buying a 159 - 600 since he was shooting "shorter at 1/500". That's the part I was seeking clarification for...

photo jimmy

Got my first and only gimbal last year...... Lensmaster RH-1........ Awesome, couldn't be happier.... using canon 7D mk 2 with 400 f5.6L........ has made a much better setup then a monopod...... Wish I'd of saved money and not have bought the 100-400L Mk2.........

Ltgk20 Loc: Salisbury, NC

I don't use a gimbal much and didn't want to spend a lot of money so I also bought a Neewer gimbel, but I bought this one:
https://smile.amazon.com/Neewer-Professional-Panoramic-Horizontal-Arca-Swiss/dp/B082V553QH/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=neewer+gimbal&qid=1590538015&sr=8-13

It's all machined aluminum and it works well enough. I suspect there are bushings in the rotating joints which, if they ever start to fail, I'll machine out and replace with bearings. On the whole, for $90 and occasional use, it holds my a9 and 200-600 quite well. These days, with lenses getting lighter all the time, I don't know that things need to be quite as strong as they used to (for example, the Sony 600mm f4 is 6.7 lbs; the old Minolta 600 f4 is 12 lbs).

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

Coincidentally I was just looking at that exact model on eBay now. It looks very impressive for the price!

SX2002 Loc: Adelaide, South Australia

Bought this a couple of years ago...it's great and extremely well made...handles my D500 and Sigma 150-600mm really well..

(Download)


(Download)

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

I just read that post over again, and I see what you mean. I got a bit confused and had to read it over a couple of times to make sure, but I’m pretty sure he meant a shorter (faster) shutter speed and wasn’t referring to focal length. Here’s hoping he’ll check back in and clarify. I may be totally wrong, and always welcome a learning experience.

hobbit123 Loc: Brisbane, Australia

OK so what he's saying is that with the 150-600 he now shoots at 1/500th so doesn't need to use a tripod at all. I can relate to that as I have the same lens and always shoot hand held, often at 1/640th. You can get some sharp shots at this speed.