Way2slk wrote:
The question is...... should I leave the gimbal head on the tripod or only change out when i am going to use my 500mm? I can see pros and cons, but want feedback. I can see the versatility of the gimbal for landscapes and wildlife, but I can see the limitations for macro.
I am a novice and asking for some outstanding advice from the group. I value all of your opinions, as I have learned so much from the site.
This is EXACTLY why I bought a gimbal adapter, instead of a full size gimbal head.
In my case, I got a Wimberley Sidekick (
https://www.tripodhead.com/products/sidekick-main.cfm), but similar adapters are avail. from Induro, Jobu and possibly some others.
An adapter leaves the ballhead in place, installs in seconds to adapt it for gimbal use, and removes just as quickly to convert back for non-gimbal use. I often just leave the adapter installed on the head and simply rotate it downward alongside the tripod legs for more compact storage. The adapter will work with any reasonably heavy duty ballhead that has separate control for the panning axis has an Arca-Swiss compatible quick release platform. The adapter provides the vertical/tilt movement, while the ballhead continues to provide the horizontal/panning movement. I use the Sidekick with a Kirk BH-1 ballhead (
https://www.kirkphoto.com/tripod-monopod-heads/ball-heads/bh-1-ball-head.html), but many others will work as well.
This is instead of a "full size" gimbal head which replaces the ballhead completely, making the lens pretty much "big/long/heavy telephoto lens only" while it's installed and requires removal of the gimbal & re-installation of the ballhead to switch the tripod back for non-gimbal use with shorter lenses on the camera.
Wimberley rates the Sidekick to handle up to 500mm f/4 lenses on fairly heavy DSLRs and it's done fine with mine for over 15 years. I've seen people use them with even heavier 400mm f/2.8 and 600mm f/4 lenses, without any problems.
BTW, because gimbal adapters are "side mount", I also can fit a camera with a short lens in vertical/portrait orientation without need for a bulky/expensive L-bracket.
Also, another handy accessory with any gimbal is a leveling platform that fits between the head and the tripod. I use a Gitzo Series 3 Systematic tripod with their Leveling Platform that makes for much faster setups and easier adjustments any time I move the tripod. It adds about 1 lb. weight to the tripod, but I feel it's worth it.