Gimbal Heads
Jul 16, 2021 19:01:05 #
I just watched a couple of videos created by Wimberly regarding their products.
Question.
As one points the camera up and down the camera moves quite a bit.
How does one cope with crouching and standing on tip toes with a gimbal head?
Just observing it seems like a PITA.
I have not purchased one and not used one.
But just observing the video that was the first thing I thought of was crouching and standing as a moving subject that moves vertically vs just horizontally.
How do those who do BIF or other vertically moving subjects cope or is it considered aerobics while shooting?
In other words how do you do it comfortably if that is possible?
Thank you in advance.
Question.
As one points the camera up and down the camera moves quite a bit.
How does one cope with crouching and standing on tip toes with a gimbal head?
Just observing it seems like a PITA.
I have not purchased one and not used one.
But just observing the video that was the first thing I thought of was crouching and standing as a moving subject that moves vertically vs just horizontally.
How do those who do BIF or other vertically moving subjects cope or is it considered aerobics while shooting?
In other words how do you do it comfortably if that is possible?
Thank you in advance.
Jul 16, 2021 19:21:05 #
Good question. I’m interested in reading what those with experience have to say.
—Bob
—Bob
Architect1776 wrote:
I just watched a couple of videos created by Wimbe... (show quote)
Jul 16, 2021 19:46:37 #
Jul 16, 2021 21:05:14 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I just watched a couple of videos created by Wimbe... (show quote)
This is one of the reasons why, if people have the opportunity, they move AWAY from using a tripod and hand hold if at all possible !
.
Jul 16, 2021 21:35:22 #
I’ll jump in with the limited knowledge I have after trying it a few times. First of all you will miss shots that you would have gotten handheld.
Period.
Balance your lens on the gimbal. Move your camera along the gimbal, while it is loosened in all directions until it balances on its own. Find the center of gravity so to speak. This way you have a starting position that is ready to move without making any adjusts to the mount. Adjust the tripod height to your handheld position.
Keep in mind bif, Indy cars, football baseball etc all move horizontally for the most part. An aircraft coming in to land may cause you to move your camera body 3 to 5 inches vertically unless you’re right on top of it. Anyway, think about the instances where you would have to be jumping up and down to get a shot.
Finally, go out and try it. I hesitated to try it for a long time and was surprised how easy it was to follow action.
Period.
Balance your lens on the gimbal. Move your camera along the gimbal, while it is loosened in all directions until it balances on its own. Find the center of gravity so to speak. This way you have a starting position that is ready to move without making any adjusts to the mount. Adjust the tripod height to your handheld position.
Keep in mind bif, Indy cars, football baseball etc all move horizontally for the most part. An aircraft coming in to land may cause you to move your camera body 3 to 5 inches vertically unless you’re right on top of it. Anyway, think about the instances where you would have to be jumping up and down to get a shot.
Finally, go out and try it. I hesitated to try it for a long time and was surprised how easy it was to follow action.
Jul 16, 2021 23:44:13 #
RowdyRay
Loc: MN
First, let me say that 90% of my shots are hand held. There is a time and place for a tripod and gimbal.
For example, I've been to several rookeries. Very active at mating time. I set the camera and tripod up to catch the majority of the action. Yes, I'll miss some shots. Too high, too low. But, my arms would be dead if I tried to hold the camera up for hours. What kind of shots am I going to get then?
Accept that you'll miss some shots. But, you may get your best shot because it's steady. Easier to use than you think. Won't know until you try.
For example, I've been to several rookeries. Very active at mating time. I set the camera and tripod up to catch the majority of the action. Yes, I'll miss some shots. Too high, too low. But, my arms would be dead if I tried to hold the camera up for hours. What kind of shots am I going to get then?
Accept that you'll miss some shots. But, you may get your best shot because it's steady. Easier to use than you think. Won't know until you try.
Jul 17, 2021 01:30:34 #
ggttc wrote:
I’ll jump in with the limited knowledge I have aft... (show quote)
Thank you.
The videos were very clear on setting up the gimbal and that is precisely what triggered the vertical motion question.
Your answer is helpful as to subjects not moving pretty much horizontally a gimbal is virtually worthless if I understand correctly.
Jul 17, 2021 01:38:19 #
RowdyRay wrote:
First, let me say that 90% of my shots are hand he... (show quote)
Your 90% response is enlightening as well as the good value of a gimbal for the limited subject matter.
Especially if in a blind waiting for the perfect shot and eliminating fatigue.
I am seeing that likely my intuition is correct.
Catching birds at a fixed feeder the gimbal would be valuable but not so much with BIF or other moving subjects with a large vertical component.
Thank you for responding clearly with a good example.
Jul 17, 2021 04:51:40 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I just watched a couple of videos created by Wimbe... (show quote)
It IS a real PITA. After 10 yrs of "doin' the dance" around tripod legs, tiptoeing, crouching and missing a ton of shots with a 600mmF4, I opted for a lighter setup (150-600 Sigma Sport), that I could hand hold. Problem solved.
I suspect that if I needed to use a longer lens or a cropped sensor camera with my current lens I'd go back to using a tripod and gimbal. My experience is that newer cameras lenses and software products are able to produce excellent images at high ISO, so hand holding is reliable - as reliable as using longer shutter speeds and wider apertures with a big fast and heavy lens on a tripod.
Jul 17, 2021 05:21:32 #
Jul 17, 2021 05:33:36 #
Gimbal mounted on boom on mast mounted with seat on a large lazy susan ball bearing on tripod. Boom is mounted with a precision ground shoulder bolt and needle roller thrust bearings for smoothest movement. Panning is done with your feet, large vertical movements via boom, and fine tracking is done using the gimbal head.
600 + 2x + 2˚ FOV, dot sight lets me find and stay on the bird.
600 + 2x + 2˚ FOV, dot sight lets me find and stay on the bird.
Jul 17, 2021 06:20:07 #
Dik wrote:
Gimbal mounted on boom on mast mounted with seat on a large lazy susan ball bearing on tripod. Boom is mounted with a precision ground shoulder bolt and needle roller thrust bearings for smoothest movement. Panning is done with your feet, large vertical movements via boom, and fine tracking is done using the gimbal head.
600 + 2x + 2˚ FOV, dot sight lets me find and stay on the bird.
600 + 2x + 2˚ FOV, dot sight lets me find and stay on the bird.
Interesting.
Most do not have a shop to make all that or a truck to drag all that around or Sherpas to carry it to a remote location.
Kind of confirms the PITA theory after watching the video.
Jul 17, 2021 06:50:13 #
For walking or quick convenience, I use a mono with the Wimberley MH-100 gimbal. Light, easy to adjust the height and carry over my shoulder.
Jul 17, 2021 07:06:58 #
Dik wrote:
Gimbal mounted on boom on mast mounted with seat . . .
I love the rig !
It seems the entire setup balances on the pivot point by your right shoulder. Would it be possible to get the same balance point on the top of a monopod?
Jul 17, 2021 07:12:03 #
Now that’s dedication and commitment! Thank you. What a device. You deserve to get the shots.
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