I'm an amateur bird photographer using a Sony RX10 IV bridge camera. My first tripod came with a ball head that was difficult to keep from slipping if even so slightly. I switched to a Manfrotto 128RC Micro Fluid Head. I'm basically happy with it but wonder if a gimbal head would give me more flexibility to quickly follow a bird as it flies.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Here's an example of my photography.
I do not use a tripod for bird photography, too restrictive. I use 400 ISO, Shutter speed proyority mode which is set to 1/1000 of a second and the camera sets the aperture, I also use AI servo focusing. All with the camera on my hands to follow a bird easily.
Thanks. If I could, I would, but my hands are just not steady enough. The attached Osprey photo was taken with a 600mm (equivalent) lens.
chaim wrote:
Thanks. If I could, I would, but my hands are just not steady enough. The attached Osprey photo was taken with a 600mm (equivalent) lens.
I have a Nest Gimbal and love it.
"...quickly follow a bird as it flies..." possibly one of he most challenging scenarios chaim... this is more of an "Art" than a technical "Craft". The few BIF shooters I know all hand hold...
The primary issue is you'll not be able to keep a BIF in your viewfinder long enough to track it. I shoot league soccer occasionally at 600mm and I'm lucky to "get the shot" using a monopod with players moving in a horizontal plain. Adding another vertical dimension to this mix would be beyond my expertise... And I've shot League Soccer for over a decade.
Do you really want to shoot BIF? If so you may be better served with a light enough kit to allow hand holding. Remember you will only have to track the bird for a few seconds... Unless it is soaring in thermals... then you may be able to follow them a tad better...
My soccer lens has a focus lock button to allow setting it on a pivotal point and with a press of one button it slams the optic immediate to that preset. This lens is popular with BIF shooters also... Something you may want to consider if you have your heart set on BIF...
Hope this helps chaim... or is at least food for thought...
btw, Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal Tripod Head II is an industry standard...
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/gimbal-heads/ci/32837/N/3611103771However this stellar precision item commands a high price...
There are many other knock offs that don't even come close (in my humble estimation)
I have and shoot my 7.2 lb AF-S 200-400mm f/4 IF ED VR on the Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal.
Tried several others first... Please don't make my mistake, go for the industry standard if you must tripod mount.
All the best... and epic capture in your initial post!
That's an excellent shot.
Thanks for your suggestions.
I'm already using a lightweight (2.4#) camera but can't get the handheld shots as sharp as I can with a tripod. Maybe "birds in flight" is not the best way to describe what I'm looking for. I'm more interested in getting them as they take off or just before landing. A tripod really helps here because I can keep it focused on the bird as long as it takes and be ready for it to move.
You are right, as I get older it is a bit more difficult to hold the camera steady. But I am 71 and will continue to do it the same way until I start to get shaky photos.
Gene51
Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)
chaim wrote:
I'm an amateur bird photographer using a Sony RX10 IV bridge camera. My first tripod came with a ball head that was difficult to keep from slipping if even so slightly. I switched to a Manfrotto 128RC Micro Fluid Head. I'm basically happy with it but wonder if a gimbal head would give me more flexibility to quickly follow a bird as it flies.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Here's an example of my photography.
Hand holding is way way way better than lugging a tripod and head around. I had a 600mm F4 for about 10 years and got tired of missing out on shots because of having to maneuver around tripod legs while trying to keep the bird in frame. Many more shots now that I am using a lighter 600mm and no tripod.
SX2002
Loc: Adelaide, South Australia
I only ever hand hold for BIF...they move and change direction so frequently I find a mounted camera way too slow and awkward...
Two questions being discussed here.
Is a gimbal better than a ball head for wildlife? Resounding YES!
Is mounting or handholding better for wildlife, including BIF? Too many variables to answer definitively. Try both. Nobody says you can’t take your can’t take the camera off the gimbal if the mounting isn’t working for you. And not every terrain will permit support systems anyway.
The ideal solution is to bring two bodies (with lenses) if conditions allow, one for mounting, one for shoots requiring more flexibility. I did this at Bosque last year (before COVID) and found the additional benefit of being able to keep shooting when my buffer filled on the mounted camera.
Good shooting!
Just want to say that is a terrific photograph but miss the download.
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