Gimbal Heads
May 22, 2017 06:07:24 #
Try Lensmaster from the UK where the cost is not as high as others. I bought the travel version which is lighter than other versions and I have found it excellent for canoe and mtb races where I want distance and flexibility. Works well with my carbon tripod but now I want one with no central column so I can get low down.
May 22, 2017 06:10:04 #
Avoid the cheapest chinese imports of the Gimbal heads. I bought one and was quite disappointed in the quality. I re-machined the cheapo, and now it works great, but not many people have the metal working machines to do that. A friend bought one in the $200 range and his works fine with no issues.
May 22, 2017 06:36:35 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
will47 wrote:
I have been considering one of these. Does anyone who has experience with them have any comments about them? Thanks.
The only time I use mine is when the birds in our rookery are on their nests. I do not use it for birds in flight because it, like tripods and monopods, do not give me the freedom of movement necessary to capture birds in flight within the rookery. Mine allows free, balanced movement in all directions and prefer it to a ball head. I use a Wimberley, why you ask? because when I have a $6500 camera with a $6000 lens attached I want the best. Read the reviews, it is the best. Isn't your equipment worth that. Even a big Sigma or Tamron is a major investment, it's good to protect investments. Besides, this one will last me through many, many, many camera's. Read the reviews, they say it all.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/404536-REG/Wimberley_WH_200_Gimbal_Type_Tripod_Head.html?sts=pi-ps
May 22, 2017 06:51:42 #
Buildrt wrote:
Purchased one of these from MT Shooter a couple years ago and would not give it up for anything, nice unit.
Me, too!
May 22, 2017 08:24:33 #
will47 wrote:
I have been considering one of these. Does anyone who has experience with them have any comments about them? Thanks.
Make sure it's rated for the weight of your camera and lens.
May 22, 2017 08:24:56 #
Ronsh
Loc: Floresville,Tx.
imagemeister wrote:
Hard to change perspective forground/backround quickly/easily due to relative im-mobility with tripod. Relatively expensive for a good one. Most appropriate for lenses over 6 lbs. There are some pretty good options - like my bodypod.
http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm
http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm
What's a bodypod?
May 22, 2017 08:36:42 #
Gene51 wrote:
My 393 is Arca Swiss compatible . . .
I had this mod done to mine also and it worked pretty well. Upgraded to a Wimberley WH-200, though, and now the 393 is on the sidelines.
May 22, 2017 09:01:44 #
The Manfrotto was a good purchase for the money,less than two hundred dollars.However it will not lock in the horizontal position.So I then purchased a nest which worked great until it got cold outside.It became very difficult to rotate and was useless in cold weather.It also leaked a very sticky gel out while being stored in my closet,that ruined a pair of my gloves and was difficult to clean up.So I then purchased a Whimberly 200 and wish that I had purchased it in the first place.It is with out a doubt the best one that I have seen and worth the money if you can afford it.
May 22, 2017 09:12:34 #
you don't have to spend big buck anymore
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=gimbal+head+tripod&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=153698682631&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13809436401248256815&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012342&hvtargid=kwd-14042556794&ref=pd_sl_2znyat5imu_b
https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=gimbal+head+tripod&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=153698682631&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13809436401248256815&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012342&hvtargid=kwd-14042556794&ref=pd_sl_2znyat5imu_b
May 22, 2017 09:15:51 #
Ronsh wrote:
What's a bodypod?
I shall take the liberty of posting a link. It works quite well! http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-183287-1.html
He has added a simple and lightweight upper back "vest" that enhances support very comfortably.
May 22, 2017 09:21:47 #
Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal is now my standard for use in the studio and on location....
Yes I use heavy long glass in the studio for product & editorial portraiture...
Made the classic mistake of being penny wise and pound foolish and opted for a cost effective Induro gimbal head...
On-line reviews stated is was amazing... In reality it sucks... Not even close to the Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal.
I actually thought my first unit was defective, and sent it back for repair since it was under Induro's "great" warranty.
They simply shipped me a new replacement that was just as lame...
Please don't make the mistake of "cheaping out" on a Gimbal Support System... Once burned twice shy...
And yes my Wimberley is in constant use both in studio & on location...
Totally have received a fantastic return on investment here...
The build quality of the Wimberley is simply suberb and the precision it allows for framing and tracking is without equal...
And it's made in the good old US of A :)
Hope this helps...
Yes I use heavy long glass in the studio for product & editorial portraiture...
Made the classic mistake of being penny wise and pound foolish and opted for a cost effective Induro gimbal head...
On-line reviews stated is was amazing... In reality it sucks... Not even close to the Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal.
I actually thought my first unit was defective, and sent it back for repair since it was under Induro's "great" warranty.
They simply shipped me a new replacement that was just as lame...
Please don't make the mistake of "cheaping out" on a Gimbal Support System... Once burned twice shy...
And yes my Wimberley is in constant use both in studio & on location...
Totally have received a fantastic return on investment here...
The build quality of the Wimberley is simply suberb and the precision it allows for framing and tracking is without equal...
And it's made in the good old US of A :)
Hope this helps...
May 22, 2017 09:22:46 #
Another option is the 4th Generation Mongoose 3.6. Not cheap, but I find it a pleasure to use with excellent results. Hand holding wildlife and action photography is the way to go if at all possible, but for long heavy lenses you had better be really strong and good at pushing back lactic acid buildup. In order to get the shot, lots of times it requires you holding the lens on the subject for extended times. If you are hand holding, sooner or later you are going to have to rest and lower the camera. That may be the time the action you were anticipating happens and you miss the shot. There are times for hand holding, there are times for having your rig on a tripod with a good gimbal. Just part of your arsenal.
May 22, 2017 09:43:52 #
joer wrote:
Gimbals are intended for long lenses. They allow you to balance the camera and lens. When adjusted properly the camera can move effortlessly in all directions and balance in place when you let go.
They are heavy, bulky and expensive but indispensable for shooting with long heavy tele lenses on a tripod.
They are heavy, bulky and expensive but indispensable for shooting with long heavy tele lenses on a tripod.
May 22, 2017 10:01:19 #
Randy Smith wrote:
The Manfrotto was a good purchase for the money,le... (show quote)
Totally agree on the Wimberley.
May 22, 2017 10:05:17 #
Thomas902 wrote:
Wimberley WH-200 Gimbal is now my standard for use... (show quote)
Yes, like many I tried cheaper alternatives before going to the Wimberley. The WH-200 is great, either on a heavy tripod or even on a monopod. Very pricey though, especially after adding flash brackets and adapters. But you get what you pay for ;-)
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.