amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

There are two major types of gimbal heads:

1. Full size gimbal head.

Do you want to dedicate a tripod to long-lens-use only? If so, probably the best value is the Nest that MT_Shooter sells (Google "Camera Cottage" ). That's a high quality, full size gimbal that will handle the largest lens you can throw at it (is probably overkill for a moderate sized 100-400) and cost around $300 US the last time I looked.

There are cheap $100 Chinese-knock-offs in this type, some other moderately priced ones (Jobu, Induro, both around $350 US), as well as very high-end that sell for $500 US and up (RRS, Kirk, Wimberley, etc.)

These full size type gimbals completely replace any standard head on your tripod and generally don't accommodate other regular uses of the tripod (such as directly mounting a camera with a shorter lens that doesn't have a tripod collar). To be able to use the tripod for other purposes, you'd usually need to swap the heads back and forth and that may require tools to do. (There are some adapters, such as the Wimbeley M-8, to allow partial use of the camera directly on the full size gimbal.)

In most cases, full size gimbals attach to the lens with the foot positioned underneath, sort of "cradling" it and giving the best support for the biggest lenses.

2. Gimbal adapter.

Or do you have a heavy duty ballhead on your tripod and want to be able to switch back and forth quickly so that a single tripod can serve multiple purposes?

If so, there are "gimbal adapters" such as the Wimberley Sidekick, Induro GHBA and Jobu BWG Micro, that are used in conjunction with a ballhead already on the tripod and are generally rated safe for use with lenses up to 500/4 (about 7 or 8 lbs), not really recommended for 400/2.8 and 600/4 (although I know folks who use them with those). The Sidekick sells for around $250, while the other two each sell for about $140 US.

To use one of these adapters, the ballhead on your tripod needs to be a heavy duty one... I'd say a 30 lb. rating min.... But I use full size, 50 lb. rated heads personally. The ballhead also must have an Arca-Swiss type quick release platform for the adapter to lock into. And it must have an independent panning axis. (Note: the gimbal adapter only serves for the tilt axis, while the ballhead provides panning... and some ballheads use a single lock mechanism for all movements, which makes them unusable with a gimbal adapter.)

Gimbal adapters are "side mount", meaning that to attach them the lens' tripod mounting foot is rotated to one side or the other. There are a few side-mount full size gimbals, too... but they are less common.

One thing I've found useful with a side-mount gimbal adapter (Wimberley Sidekick) is that it also can be handy for vertical camera mounting, when using shorter lenses.... So I don't need an expensive, bulky "L-bracket" on any of my cameras. A smaller and simpler Arca-Swiss compatible camera plate will do.

To use either type of gimbal, the lens must have a tripod collar and you will need to install a longer, Arca-Swiss style quick release lens plate on it. This provides means of sliding the lens/camera assembly forward and backward a little to achieve best balance. A-S lens plates are available from a number of different sources and cost around $25 to $50 each. The better ones have some sort of anti-rotation feature.

If you go with the gimbal adapter and are using an A-S platform ballhead to accommodate it, you'll also need a camera plate in order to be able to mount the camera directly to the ballhead (i.e., with shorter lenses and without the gimbal adapter). There are "generics", but I recommend better, specially fitted ones that more solidly prevent accidental rotation and protect against loosening. Those "fitted" plates typically cost about $55 US apiece.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

You should get booked on SNL! You're a funny guy.

RRS Loc: Not sure

If you look at the RRS line you will see an adapter that allows you to use one tripod with a quick release plate and you can switch from a Ball head to a Gimbal head in under 10 seconds.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Good point. That's a neat setup.

Another possibility that I'm using is the Gitzo G1321 Leveling Platform, which works with Gitzo Series 3 Systematic and other compatible tripods. (The older G1321 has been superseded the GS3121LVL platform currently being offered). This platform has a simple locking lever that allows heads to be swapped quickly and easily without tools, too.

It's usually better to have a gimbal setup pretty close to level for best panning action anyway, so a leveling platform is a helpful accessory. The platform takes the place of any center column (most Series 3 Systematic are plenty tall without one), but makes it possible to quickly set up or re-establish level after moving the tripod, with the twist of a single handle and without having to fiddle around very much with tripod leg length adjustments.

There are other levelers that can be used with tripods that have center columns (I think Manfrotto offers one), but I don't know if those allow similar quick head swaps or area as fast and simple to use as the Gitzo Systematic setup.

INshooter Loc: Indiana

I don't think you'll go wrong with the Nest. Everyone here has good things to say about MTshooter's advice and honesty (he owns Camera Cottage)

INshooter Loc: Indiana

Here's the one I bought recently. It also allows you to keep the ball head in place. Just be sure to have a very good ball head.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/205329-REG/Wimberley_SK_100_Arca_Sidekick_Ball_to.html

Vladimir200 Loc: Beaumont, Ca.

Everyone here that has the Nest from Carter is saying how great it is. Well, here is what I have to say: THEY ARE CORRECT ! (Surprised you, right?). I LOVE my Nest and use it with the Tammy 150-600mm. The product is terrific and so is Carter. My Nikon D750 and Tammy and I all love the Nest Gimbal and I am sooo happy that I only had to pay a reasonable price for a great product (Nest). I will NOT buy junk.........never works out.

jcboy3

I had the ProMaster; like all cheap gimbal heads it does not use bearings so it sticks. It will work, but not well.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Contact Carter at the Camera Cottage in Billings, MT.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I would estimate less than 3 lbs

MakuaMan Loc: Waianae, Hi.

I don't mean to hijack the thread but thought some of you might have good input on my future tripod/ballhead/gimbal combination.

I'm planning on the Gitzo GT2531EX with the Benro G2 and Induro GHBA for use with my 80-400 with the center post horizontal in a sitting position which should put the lens platform underneath instead of to the side. This would obviously change the pan to the vertical adjustment and the Induro to the horizontal adjustment. It seems this would be more like a traditional gimbal head in that configuration.

Any thoughts?.

Aloha M.M.

Jerry M

I fully agree with the NEST recommendation. I bought one from Montana Shooter with quick service and a good price. It is one of the best values on the market. JM

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I have the NEST gimbal as well and highly recommend it.
Rick

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

I have had the Nest Gimbal head for a year now. I use it with both my Canon 70-200, f2.8 and Canon 300. F2.8.

In addition to being lighter due to the carbon material, the vertical motion is dampened so you never have two worry about a big lens flopping down against your tripod if you forget to tighten up a knob.

Not sure of current price but it was on special, I think, for around $298 when I ordered mine.

It also comes with a nice storage case, although mine is permanently on a tripod.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

My Tamron 150-600 fits nicely in the case, but not very often, it is on the Nest which is on the tripod more or less permanently.