SafariGuy

I purchased a used Opteka GH1 Gimbal head 3-4 years ago from a fellow photographer. I'm sure its not at the top of the 'Gimbal Head' class but I've been happy with it. However recently the horizontal swivel has gotten 'snug' and no longer moves as freely as I think it should. My question is...is there any kind of lubricant a person can use to make it move more freely or is that a no no?. It still swivels but not like it used to...for example when shooting BIF it especially becomes a factor, Any suggestions/tips? Trash it and get a new one?

twowindsbear

ONE drop of 3 in 1 oil - what have ya got to loose?

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Disassemble, clean and relube with teflon grease...

The Opteka is one of the cheapest gimbals out there - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Opteka-GH1-Pro-Heavy-Duty-Gimbal-Head-with-Quick-Release-Supports-up-to-30lbs/113262653487?epid=11011029917&hash=item1a5efaf02f:g:8kEAAOSwUlRbpSXn:rk:3:pf:0

..

SafariGuy

Mmm I’ll try and figure out out how disassemble it...there aren’t any visible screws. Thanks for the suggestion

SafariGuy

I’ll give it a shot

Bill_de Loc: US

This might help:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3793038

--

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Your gimbal is made by Beike and sold under about 9 different brand names. It has no bearings and depends on plastic washers. The panning lock is a threaded bolt that actually gouges into the center pivot to lock. Remove the base top cap and unscrew the center bolt. The head will come tight off the base. Clean out all the accumulated debris and lubricate with a silicone based lube only. I recommend "Sil-Glyde" from NAPA Auto Parts, it will never flow.
I did a full tear down, repair, and lube article here about 6 years ago on this head. If properly serviced it is surprisingly serviceable, but totally inadequate for any lens over about 5 pounds. Good luck.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

If it's the panning movement that's a problem, I had that occur with an inexpensive ballhead. The panning movement was very stiff right from new. I took it off the tripod and found three screws on the bottom of the head that allowed me to disassemble it (carefully, so as to not lose the little ball bearings). I found something that looked like heavy axle grease in there as a lubricant. Cleaned that out and replaced it with a very heavy oil (bicycle chain lubricating oil, actually), reassembled and it's worked great ever since... super smooth panning action.

That might be what's needed and possible to do with your gimbal head. It also might just be dirt has gotten inside and made it stiff. Or it could be wear and tear or damage. But it's worth checking if it can be disassembled to check, clean & re-lubricate if possible.

EDIT: Whoops! Just saw MTshooter's response.... he should know since he sells better quality gimbal heads. If there are plastic/nylon parts in there, a silicon based "synthetic" lube is correct (instead of the oil I mentioned above). An auto parts store will have something you can use. So do bicycle shops. It also can be bought online if necessary. Micro-tools.com has a variety of lubes like that.

gordone Loc: Red Deer AB Canada

I made the mistake of buying one of these as my first gimbal head. I gave it away after the first time I tried it, and bought a real gimbal head. It has very sloppy tolerances and wobbles around even after you tighten it. It might be ok for something like a small mirrorless or point and shoot camera but that's about it. They should re-label it as a wobble head instead of a gimbal head. Cheap heads and tripods are the most expensive because you buy one, throw it away and buy the one you should have bought to start with.

zzzynick Loc: Colorado

I had one, same problem. It makes a great door stop now.
I bought a Monfrotto 393 from ebay for a hundred dollars.

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

Toss it.

If you don't want to spend a fortune and want something serviceable with a heavy lens - as someone suggested - the Manfrotto 393 is an excellent choice- new they are under $200, and used, a lot less. They are simple ruggedly designed and built devices. I've had mine for 11 yrs - and it's taken a dunk in a tidal pool, a waterfall, and used on the beach, in a bog, snowstorm, etc - still works perfectly.

TomV Loc: Annapolis, Maryland

The Manfrotto 393 is a good value. I had one but found it large to carry around. I went with a LensMaster from the UK and it is smaller and is easy to use and maintain.

I like the mounting plate on the Manfrotto better and put one on the LensMaster in place of the Swiss Arca.

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/rh2.htm

zzzynick Loc: Colorado

Tom V is correct they are heavy, I have my 393 attached to a Bogen Monfrotto 3046 which weighs a ton by its self.
I really like the 3046, I am 6'1" and so many tripods are just to short for me. I think it goes uo to 8'. I like the crank handle it locks it in. I think it could stand steady in hurricane winds.
I am 65 years old and semi hadicapped, my backpacking days are long gone. These days, my idea of roughing it, is a Hotel without room service.
I have a old V-8, all wheel drive Mercury Mountaineer, named after Sir Edmund Hillary, that I can take anywhere. Eddie just goes.
I set up the tripod to my height, attach the camera and lay down in the back on some padding. When I see something I want to shoot, open the hatch extend the legs and a couple of minutes I ready to shoot.
I wanted sturdy. I want to feel that my Canon 1Ds Mark III and my 100-400 mm are not going to come crashing down. I think this combanation is good for around 40 pounds.