BillyM Loc: newburyport ma.

I was wondering if anyone has the Nikon 500mm,pf lens and what head they are using. I had a full sized Gimbel head when I had a large telephoto.The 500 pf is hand holdable however I would still like to use it on a tripod for BIF when i get tired of hand holding. I would also like to use the same head for landscapes/macro etc. Any Ideas Thanks ?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

A good video/fluid pan/tilt head is what I use and is especially good for all but the largest/heaviest lenses ie 400 2.8, 500 f4 and 600 f4. Manfro #502.....

For some strange reason, most of the video heads have a different QR that is NOT Arca/Swiss - but you can buy an A/S receiver clamp and bolt it to the receiver on the video head and you are good to go.
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Dillon

Once I found I had forgotten the head on my tripod...so I put a pillow on the top and rested my 150-600 on the pillow, and it did wonderfully...just sayin

BillyM Loc: newburyport ma.

Thanks for the reply, I thought of the video head, like the pillow idea also.

Photonerd5

I use a ProMediaGear Katana Junior Gimbal combined with either a D850 or D500 and the 500mm PF. Advantages: light weight (about 2 lbs) and less expensive (about $500 and they also throw in about a 6" plate). Disadvantages: When you tighten it down, the lens moves slightly and it isn't the most rigid system when tightened down and combined with my 3/4 ProMediaGear composite legs. This head wouldn't be the best solution for landscapes or macro, but I use an Arca Swiss D4 gear head for this purpose.

There are some heads that may provide a reasonable compromise for all three purposes. I'd look into a Flex Shooter pro ball head. It uses a ball within a ball design that can be set up to restrict movements and thereby function as a Gimbal. I haven't tried this one and again you'll have to pay $500 plus. Another possible compromise is a head made by Acratech, which costs about $100 less and is lighter. My memory may be flawed on this, but I think when this head is used as a gimbel, the camera-lens combination is moved to one side so the tripod-camera-lens combination may become a bit unbalanced. Again however I have no experience with the Acratech. Hopefully others will comment on the latter two alternatives.

Hope this helps.

ronichas Loc: Long Island

I have had the Fotopro E-6H Eagle Series Gimbal Head for a few years. I LOVE this tripod head. It weighs 1.5 lbs, load capacity for 22 lbs, folds flat and can be used for both long lens or landscape. I did have to get an L bracket for my cameras to use it for landscape.

Fotopro E-6H Eagle Series Gimbal Head
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1452509-REG/fotopro_e_6h_gimbal_head_black.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

photoman43

I have the Nikon 500mm f5.6 pf lens and use it on my D500 and D850. I rarely use my Wimberley II gimbal head on my tripod with it. Instead I use a ball head from Kirk Enterprises or Really Right Stuff. I set the tension on the ball head so I can move the lens and track subjects. This is so easy to do with a quality ballhead.

Mt RRS head is a BH-55. My KES one is a BH-1. To save some money the Induro BHD3 might work for you.

george19

I got a gimbal head shortly after I got my Nikkor 200-500...not really hand-holdable for long periods. I’ve since purchased a ball head and prefer it...although I am getting used to controlling the roll axis when I adjust.

As to the answer about a pillow, I carry several pieces of foam pipe insulation for this purpose...can also slip it over the car window.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The only caveat to this is you WILL need an L bracket to go vertical on lenses without a collar......
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Photec

Hi, your question is timely. I have recently (yesterday) upgraded from a Kirk (large ball) head that is 30+ years old to a new RRS BH40LR. I have used the Kirk w/everything from 14mm to a 600mm f4. I usually use a gimble for that monster lens, but it has worked well on my Kirk when needed. Your question caused me to check the 600 on my RRS BH40, (much smaller ball). I found more of a difference than I expected. If you are using light weight lenses, the smaller ball diameter will be fine, but if you have a heavy lens you had better be holding on tight with both hands and feet when you loosen the tension a smaller ball. My conclusion is simple, My 600 f4 will never go back on my new head, but my RRS 40 works great for everything else. I hope this helps.

assman Loc: Grand Rapids, MI

I have both Acratech Ball head and Long Lens head. Ball head is awesome and works very well as a side mount gimbal with my 60-250 f4 and aps-c. Not so well when I throw my 500 f4 lens on it.
The long lens head works very well if you don't change elavation angles too much since the center of gravity moves .

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Yes, size MATTERS ...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Moving a L-O-N-G A/S plate in the clamp will help to retain balance with changing angles - it is not perfect - but it will help.

assman Loc: Grand Rapids, MI

That's what I need to do. What I just did was get a Wimberley side kick to use with the acratech LLH kicked over on the side. Haven't tried it yet since I just got it yesterday.