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Gimbal Triopd Mounts--Advice
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Feb 25, 2013 13:52:27   #
clixpix Loc: Surprise, Arizona
 
Hi:

I am considering getting a gimbal head for my tripod and telephoto lenses. I have looked at the Induro GBH-2, Jobu BWG-J3K and the Optecka GH1 Pro. The Opteka is the least expensive and I understand is made in China. I would appreciate and advice on these or other choices you all might have or have used.

I will be using it with my Canon 300mm L f/2.8 and my Canon 70-200L f/2.8.

Thanks in advance for the information.

Reply
Feb 25, 2013 16:42:57   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a Beike BK-45 head made in China and rebranded with their label. The Beike is available all over Ebay for under or at $100. Its not a bad head for the money, I actually use one that I modified slightly to shoot my 800mm F5.6 lens off of and it does the job well.
Also keep in mind that a Gimbal style head is designed to use a lens with a tripod collar so as to balance the assembly. They do not work worth a crap as a general purpose head as they cannot be balanced with the camera body mounted to them directly.

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Feb 25, 2013 17:12:52   #
clixpix Loc: Surprise, Arizona
 
MT Shooter wrote:
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a Beike BK-45 head made in China and rebranded with their label. The Beike is available all over Ebay for under or at $100. Its not a bad head for the money, I actually use one that I modified slightly to shoot my 800mm F5.6 lens off of and it does the job well.
Also keep in mind that a Gimbal style head is designed to use a lens with a tripod collar so as to balance the assembly. They do not work worth a crap as a general purpose head as they cannot be balanced with the camera body mounted to them directly.
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a B... (show quote)


MT
Thanks for the reply. I know about the collar needed on the lens. Both my lenses have a collar and a foot for mounting.

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Feb 26, 2013 05:31:48   #
johnbegood17 Loc: Redhill,Surrey,England
 
I use a 400 f/2.8,
I got a manfrotto 593 cheap,works well

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Feb 26, 2013 05:32:03   #
johnbegood17 Loc: Redhill,Surrey,England
 
I use a 400 f/2.8,
I got a manfrotto 593 cheap,works well

Reply
Feb 26, 2013 06:56:47   #
craggycrossers Loc: Robin Hood Country, UK
 
clixpix wrote:
Hi:

I am considering getting a gimbal head for my tripod and telephoto lenses. I have looked at the Induro GBH-2, Jobu BWG-J3K and the Optecka GH1 Pro. The Opteka is the least expensive and I understand is made in China. I would appreciate and advice on these or other choices you all might have or have used.

I will be using it with my Canon 300mm L f/2.8 and my Canon 70-200L f/2.8.

Thanks in advance for the information.


Take a look at the Lensmaster RH-2 here - http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/index.htm - be sure to look at the video.

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Feb 26, 2013 10:13:55   #
newtimes Loc: Indiana
 
Take a look at this site
I met them at Chicago BOat show in January and the stuff is very well made

HORZONTRUE.COM

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Feb 26, 2013 10:14:46   #
newtimes Loc: Indiana
 
OOPS,
bad spelling check on that address should be

HORIZONTRUE.COM

Reply
Feb 26, 2013 10:58:53   #
flashgordonbrown Loc: Silverdale, WA
 
MT Shooter wrote:
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a Beike BK-45 head made in China and rebranded with their label. The Beike is available all over Ebay for under or at $100. Its not a bad head for the money, I actually use one that I modified slightly to shoot my 800mm F5.6 lens off of and it does the job well.
Also keep in mind that a Gimbal style head is designed to use a lens with a tripod collar so as to balance the assembly. They do not work worth a crap as a general purpose head as they cannot be balanced with the camera body mounted to them directly.
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a B... (show quote)

Actually, I use the Opteka with my camera mounted directly to it for portraiture, and it works just fine-much more precise and secure than the ball head that the other guys that I work with use. I know that this use isn't the way it was designed, but it works well for me.

flashgordonbrown/www.froghollowphotography.com

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Feb 26, 2013 11:03:08   #
Johngalt Loc: Downers Grove, Il
 
Been using Jobu Pro 2 extensively for over a year. A little expensive and heavy but fantastic support and fluid movement. The "L" bracket is machined rather than cast and is adjustable up and down to facilitate a perfect balance point for a variety of lenses. The lock feature makes relocation fast and secure. This is a once in a lifetime buy so the amortized cost was not a deal killer.. And when your hanging thousands in glass and body off of it... this Gimbal is a great investment.

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Feb 26, 2013 11:29:21   #
MT Shooter Loc: Montana
 
flashgordonbrown wrote:
MT Shooter wrote:
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a Beike BK-45 head made in China and rebranded with their label. The Beike is available all over Ebay for under or at $100. Its not a bad head for the money, I actually use one that I modified slightly to shoot my 800mm F5.6 lens off of and it does the job well.
Also keep in mind that a Gimbal style head is designed to use a lens with a tripod collar so as to balance the assembly. They do not work worth a crap as a general purpose head as they cannot be balanced with the camera body mounted to them directly.
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a B... (show quote)

Actually, I use the Opteka with my camera mounted directly to it for portraiture, and it works just fine-much more precise and secure than the ball head that the other guys that I work with use. I know that this use isn't the way it was designed, but it works well for me.

flashgordonbrown/www.froghollowphotography.com
quote=MT Shooter The Opteka is not made by them. ... (show quote)


Just loosen your swing clamp once with a good lens mounted and your hand off the camera and tell me what you say when that lens smashes into the pivot base of the head. Never a good situation. Unless of course your swing mount is so stiff it won't swing, then its of no matter.

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Feb 26, 2013 11:36:24   #
flashgordonbrown Loc: Silverdale, WA
 
MT Shooter wrote:
flashgordonbrown wrote:
MT Shooter wrote:
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a Beike BK-45 head made in China and rebranded with their label. The Beike is available all over Ebay for under or at $100. Its not a bad head for the money, I actually use one that I modified slightly to shoot my 800mm F5.6 lens off of and it does the job well.
Also keep in mind that a Gimbal style head is designed to use a lens with a tripod collar so as to balance the assembly. They do not work worth a crap as a general purpose head as they cannot be balanced with the camera body mounted to them directly.
The Opteka is not made by them. It is actually a B... (show quote)

Actually, I use the Opteka with my camera mounted directly to it for portraiture, and it works just fine-much more precise and secure than the ball head that the other guys that I work with use. I know that this use isn't the way it was designed, but it works well for me.

flashgordonbrown/www.froghollowphotography.com
quote=MT Shooter The Opteka is not made by them. ... (show quote)


Just loosen your swing clamp once with a good lens mounted and your hand off the camera and tell me what you say when that lens smashes into the pivot base of the head. Never a good situation. Unless of course your swing mount is so stiff it won't swing, then its of no matter.
quote=flashgordonbrown quote=MT Shooter The Opte... (show quote)


Actually, it's a matter of adjustment-I keep the tension on the pivot tight enough that it requires a little bit of effort to tilt it. I also raise the mounting platform to the top. Again, I realize that this wasn't the intended use, but in practice it works just fine. Now instead of having only one basic use, it it a 'multi-tasker'!

flashgordonbrown

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Feb 26, 2013 11:51:40   #
Johngalt Loc: Downers Grove, Il
 
Just as a sidebar, Manfrotto makes a lens support (PN #293) that once in a blue moon I use with my TAMRON 70-300 (No collar) on my Jobu. I can't mount the D3x, but the D7000 and D800 (without battery grip) work just fine. I use my 50-500mm and 800mm for racing events and raptors... But the 70-300mm is better suited and more efficient in National Parks and the pit lane where the wild life is more sedate... Also quickly changing from the gimbal to hand held works well with the Manfrotto support attached.
Well the eagles are arriving... Gotta go! Enjoy the day!



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Feb 26, 2013 12:03:59   #
ttlthor Loc: Grapevine, Texas
 
I have the Opteka. Don't use it on a regular basis, but when I do, it works just fine for me. No complaints at all. Of course, having never used one of the high dollar units, I have nothing to compare it to. But that can be a good thing. Can't miss what you've never had.

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Feb 26, 2013 16:25:48   #
James Parrish Loc: Folsom, California
 
I also use a Opteka Model: GH1 that is rated at 30 lbs.
Works as advertised. A little stiffness in the beginning but is loosening up quite nicely. Not as smooth as a Wimberly or others of better quality build, but for the $150.00 I paid for it works just fine. There are some others for even less than $100.00. However, The Load Capacity on those vary from 7Lbs-10 lbs. Really depends what lenses you plan to use.
I shoot with a EF 70-200 2.8L IS USM and a EF 300mm 4.0L IS USM both with a EF 1.4x II and a 7D with Battery Pack. My passion is wild life, Birds in flight and still Animal photography & Landscapes. Be sure you get a good Carbon Fiber Tripod.

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