Gimbal Heads (Page 3): Another option to move away from tripods and gimbals for large lenses is to consider the micro four-thirds format cameras like Olympus. I currently have the EM1...

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Another option to move away from tripods and gimbals for large lenses is to consider the micro four-thirds format cameras like Olympus.

I currently have the EM1 MKII and for birds use the Panasonic/Leica 100-400 lens. I do frequently set up my tripod with a Arca Ballhead for images of birds in stationary positions. But I often find that I quickly take my camera off the ballhead to track birds in flight.

With the 2x crop factor I am able to easily shoot handheld 800 mm equivalent shots.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Architect1776 wrote:

I just watched a couple of videos created by Wimbe... (show quote)

For stationary birds on a nest (especially Bald Eagles) I use the gimbal and tripod.
For birds in flight you have to be crazy in Florida wetlands to consider a Gimbal and tripod. Birds move up and down, front and back, side to side, without warning. The ONLY thing that works in this situation is to HAND HOLD. No other system works consistently with birds in flight including diving Ospreys and Eagles for fish.

Dik

Architect1776 wrote:

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.

Built with an abrasive disc cutoff saw and a hand drill using a drill guide for perpendicularity. Metals Supermarket supplied the legs, mast & boom cut to length, angle brackets cut to width, and the round disc they bolt to.
Seat mounts via sliding quick release, boom assembly mounts with 4 bolts, and legs attach with three Clevis pins.
Less than 15 minutes setup/tear down, fits in the trunk of my car.

Rig was built exclusively for Conowingo, where I park right by my favorite shooting location.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Dik wrote:

Rig was built exclusively for Conowingo, where I park right by my favorite shooting location.

Dik

MrPhotog wrote:

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?

The boom pivot is by my shoulder, but the center of gravity is near the camera mount. Would not work as monopod.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

billnikon wrote:

For stationary birds on a nest (especially Bald Eagles) I use the gimbal and tripod.
For birds in flight you have to be crazy in Florida wetlands to consider a Gimbal and tripod. Birds move up and down, front and back, side to side, without warning. The ONLY thing that works in this situation is to HAND HOLD. No other system works consistently with birds in flight including diving Ospreys and Eagles for fish.

Good to know.
Thx

tcthome Loc: NJ

You would need to adjust your camera height so you look threw the view finder when pointed down (if you need to point at the ground) & squat when shooting up. If your mostly shooting up as in perched birds or bif then adjust your view finder accordingly for your comfort which is usually with your camera a little on the higher side(camera above eye level with the camera sitting level on the tripod).

jonjacobik Loc: Quincy, MA

Architect1776 wrote:

I just watched a couple of videos created by Wimbe... (show quote)

If the subject can be captured at 1/2000th, F5.6 I'll handhold, but if I want to go to F14 in most lights, I'll use the gimble. My flip down screen is useful for the elevated shot and the EVF for a level shot. No Problem just adapt to the light.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

jonjacobik wrote:

If the subject can be captured at 1/2000th, F5.6 I'll handhold, but if I want to go to F14 in most lights, I'll use the gimble. My flip down screen is useful for the elevated shot and the EVF for a level shot. No Problem just adapt to the light.

Not all have flip down screens.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Capn_Dave wrote:

Clark has nailed it. Using a large lens and hand holding it all day really sucks, A gimbal is not necessary when shooting birds at a feeder, unless it is a low light situation. For BIF (Birds In Flight), you will find birds will tend to fly more horizontally rather than changing the vertical axis a lot. Here is where a gimbal sets itself apart.

Funny thing about low light. If the light is so low that you "need" a tripod, it is likely too low to get pics that aren't blurry from subject movement. And diving waterfowl, peregrines, hawks, eagles, owls, osprey and gulls obviously haven't read your post.

At the end (or the beginning) of the day, higher ISO is a better solution for low light than a tripod, especially with active subjects, but even with small birds at feeders.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Gene51 wrote:

Funny thing about low light. If the light is so low that you "need" a tripod, it is likely too low to get pics that aren't blurry from subject movement. And diving waterfowl, peregrines, hawks, eagles, owls, osprey and gulls obviously haven't read your post.

At the end (or the beginning) of the day, higher ISO is a better solution for low light than a tripod, especially with active subjects, but even with small birds at feeders.

Gene,
You have great and insightful responses on this matter that are helpful and informative.
I was seriously considering the gimbal head and watched a couple of videos from Wimberly and from the comments here and the videos I see that for me a gimbal would be a waste of money.
Thank you again.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jonjacobik wrote:

If the subject can be captured at 1/2000th, F5.6 I'll handhold, but if I want to go to F14 in most lights, I'll use the gimble. My flip down screen is useful for the elevated shot and the EVF for a level shot. No Problem just adapt to the light.

Birds in flight and following them with a fold down rear screen could lead to issues for tracking. The OP wants to follow birds in flight with a gimbal head. Almost impossible in practice. Birds fly too erratically to use a tripod with a gimbal head. Oh, I have seen folks use them, but they don't get the shots I do by hand holding.
The following Roseate Spoonbill came in for a landing from not only left to right but from almost overhead to down low in about 4 seconds, no way could you follow that with a tripod with a gimbal head. Again, the only way to shoot birds in flight is by hand holding.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

billnikon wrote:

Birds in flight and following them with a fold down rear screen could lead to issues for tracking. The OP wants to follow birds in flight with a gimbal head. Almost impossible in practice. Birds fly too erratically to use a tripod with a gimbal head. Oh, I have seen folks use them, but they don't get the shots I do by hand holding.

Good information.
Learning a lot.
Prior to this I was under the impression that gimbal heads were God's gift to all photographic situations involving action especially all BIF captures.
The many comments regarding handholding for the action seem to outweigh the gimbal route.
I was really looking to ask the wife to get me one for Christmas this year.
Now I am having strong doubts as to the general usefulness for me and what I do.
My static shots are just fine with a 3 way head and so far birds and other creatures on the move it looks like handholding is still the best.
IS seems to be the primary means of success for such shots.
Again lots of great cons and some pros as well to consider.

RVAshooter Loc: Richmond, VA

I use a gimbal on a tripod to shoot air shows and races, anything where I'm panning horizontally. I usually shoot from a chair, sitting with the tripod tucked in close. For high-angle acrobatics, just unclip and shoot handheld. For birds or animals at a distance, it increases stability while giving some vertical flexibility along with the panning. But in that case I'm standing. I use a large enough tripod so there is no crouching, and the camera comes off the mount for hand held shots up close. I'm usually using a 150-600 lens, full-frame or crop-sensor body depending on the distance required.

MDI Mainer

As far as I'm concerned the main advantage of a gimbal is to have a secure and as flexible and responsive as possible place to park your camera body and long lens while patiently (more or less) waiting for some wildlife action to occur in a relatively defined theater. Otherwise handheld is far preferable.