Need your input on gimbal vs. arca head on tripod (Page 2): Its "optional" on a lot of things. None come with the collar as I previously stated.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

imagemeister wrote:

But it is optional on the Canon 100 L IS .....

Its "optional" on a lot of things. None come with the collar as I previously stated.

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

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.

The Arca Z1 is an oustanding ball head. Those who complain about having difficulty using a ball head must be using less than that. I have used Markins, RRS, Kirk and Arca - I own a Z1 - and have never experienced any movement after tightening the knob, and when using a balanced load, each of these have such a large sweet spot that you can adjust the friction on the ball to allow you to move it with a gentle push, but stay put when you stop pushing it.

I use a gimbal for large heavy "footed" lenses. My ball head for lots of other general purpose stuff, a macro rail for serious macro, especially when I am doing focus stacking, and a multi-row pano head for landscape and architectural/interior work.

The biggest problem with using a gimbal for macro is when you are not using a footed lens - the orientation of the lens plate is 90° rotated from the camera plate.

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

I followed Steve Perry & bought a Really Right Stuff Lever release clamp and a couple of their Dovetail plates. The solution is a bit pricey but I can change heads on my big Benro Carbon Fiber tripod in about 10 seconds or less.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

MT Shooter wrote:

Its "optional" on a lot of things. None come with the collar as I previously stated.

It is not optional on ANY other 100-105mm macro ( BOTH 100 mm macro Canons it is) .....just sayin' ...

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

TBerwick wrote:

I followed Steve Perry & bought a Really Right Stuff Lever release clamp and a couple of their Dovetail plates. The solution is a bit pricey but I can change heads on my big Benro Carbon Fiber tripod in about 10 seconds or less.

I use the Manfro cheaper solution for a QR system for tripod heads - https://www.ebay.com/itm/Manfrotto-625-RC0-Rapid-Connect-Adapter-with-030-14-Plate/332575935817?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l9372

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pendennis

I have a couple of gimbal heads, and they're outstanding for my longer lenses and the ability to move easily; however, they're not as rock solid as ball or 3-axis heads.

I'm a bit of a contrarian when it comes to ball heads. I've owned several different types, including an Arca Swiss, and they all have the same failure point; the inability to allow single axis movements. I really prefer heads like the old Bogen 3047 and 3039 heads, and a few of the older heads from Gitzo. I'm not a complete Luddite though, I've purchased a couple of machined hex-plate heads which will handle Arca Swiss plates.

I still have my Bogen 3038, but it sits on a little-used 3033 tripod.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

MT Shooter wrote:

Again, it all depends upon your LENS.
I do much of my macro work using the same gimbal head that I use for wildlife with my 600mm F4 lens. But that is because my 180mm F2.8 Macro lens also has a tripod collar on it making a perfect match for the two. 105mm and shorter focal length macro lenses do not come with a tripod collar for mounting on a gimbal so they are not really compatible.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

I think it comes down to the personal preference and what equipment you have. I prefer my RRS gimbal over their ball head 99 percent of the time. I can use it with long lenses or short lenses such as the 24-70. There is no right or wrong answer, just what works for you based on what you have and like to use. I believe Steve Perry is even recommending using a gimbal on a monopod. I have not tried that yet though.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

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.

I used to only use my gimbal head with a long lens. When I am shooting landscape I only use a ball head.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

Jobu has an adapter to use on a gimbal head so you can attach the camera body.. only need one tripod

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

I keep 2 tripods ready all the time: One Large (35 ld. rated) with the Gimbal attached directly and No Ball Head , and One Med.(17-20 ld. rated ) with an Arca Swiss Ball Head for everything else.

I often set up 2 to 3 cameras..... the 3rd for video taping the shoot and sometimes to capture the subject in real time for documentary use. This of course requires a third tripod on occasion.

So you can never have enough batteries, memory cards & tripods for all the stuff we drag around

P.S. A hand truck with bungy cords seems to be useful also. I must be crazy but I tell you this in confidence....ho ho.

NCMtnMan Loc: N. Fork New River, Ashe Co., NC

Depends on the lens being used and the subject matter. The large heavy lens on the gimbal is a no brainer. If my subject is moving a lot and I need to be able to follow it until I can catch the right shot, then nothing works as well as the gimbal for me regardless of the lens being used. Most of my macro work does not use the gimbal.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

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.

I normally don't like to use a tripod but there are astro, longer time value shutter and long time stationary photos when I have no choice but to use one.

So far a gimbal is used for my heavy lens only. It is nice to nearly ballance everything and not worry about "weight" getting in the way.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I have a gimbal, with the arc swiss clamp, and a removable foot on the lens, so I can switch for what ever is needed. I found that the arca is a very much more secure item in use for whatever purpose.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

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.

I use multiple tripods and dedicate one to gimbal, one to ball head and one to panhead.