For what you want, get a decent ball-head..The gimbal is primarily for long lenses and zooms that have a male arca type plate attached to the lens.. If you do get a ball-head, make sure it's Arca compatible and doesn't shift when you lock it down on your subject. expect to pay a min of around $200 USD.
One feature of the Tamron G2 has not been discussed..A 6 year warranty, and GREAT customer support..This is what I decided on to match up with my Nikon D500..Very much pleased with my decision since purchase of both in late November of 2016! I couldn't be happier with the results I'm seeing!Very sharp wide open at f6.3..Even hand -held with the awesome VC set on #3!!..Mostly used on a Gimbal-headed tripod or a monopod with a swivel head!
The "Math" for converting a full framer to a crop sensor is a multiplier of 1.5 in the case of Nikon..So a 150-600mm on a crop sensor will give you the "reach" of a 225mm to 900mm lens (effective).
I have the Tamron 150-600mm g2 mated to my Nikon D500, and I couldn't be happier, I've owned this combo since late November with stellar results.. I could have had the Nikon 200-500 for the same money, but there were issues at that time of users not getting a sharp copy of that lens..My Tamron is tack sharp wide open at f6.3, gives me more range than the N
ikon, and is lighter with more features, andan incredible VC control for up to 4 stops of control..The 6 year warranty was also a decisive factor in my choice.
The Major difference between the 7100 and the 7200 is the buffer..Which means you can take MANY more images at a high speed frame rate with the D7200 especially in Raw mode before the buffer fills, and slows down your shooting!..Important to me because I shoot only in Raw Mode.. I almost went for the D7200, but I needed the all-around speed of the D500, which is what I now own.. If I were you, I would get the D7200, and forget about the "new" D7500..It's not really a move "up" IHMO.. I think You'll LOVE the D7200!!
Hardware store foam pipe insulation, spiral wrapped with "hockey tape"..Looks and works fantastic, and doesn't fray or come un-done Cost me about $10 USD, with enough left over to re-do it in a couple of years, or do an additional tripod!! Go to a search on you-tube..Many have done just what I described..
Hardware store foam pipe insulation, spiral wrapped with "hockey tape"..Looks and works fantastic, and doesn't fray or come un-done Cost me about $10 USD, with enough left over to re-do it in a couple of years, or do an additional tripod!! Go to a search on you-tube..Many have done just what I described..
Th Yongnuo 568 EX for Nikon does NOT have a RADIO Receiver built in..It's only short distance INFRARED. You Must have a separate RADIO wave receiver for the flash to slide into for it to fire with the kit I referred to in my post..The 2 receivers in the kit are 2.4GHZ radio receivers that will fire up to 300 feet, and does NOT need line of sight to work..And you will need the 2.4ghz Flash trigger to fire it, also included in that $111 kit..''ALL FYI
Pahtspix
Sorry, BUT..You are definitely going to need a tripod for the long exposures that will be necessary for what you are trying to do
I purchased a NEW Tamron 70-300 VC when I acquired my Nikon D7000.. The VC is incredible, and I've taken some great butterfly and hummingbird images with it..Also has a 6 year warranty, I got it on a rebate sale for $350 at the time..I've since purchased a Tamron 150-600mm G2, and I'm using it on my Nikon D500..The 200-500 Nikon was too heavy for me to hand-hold, and I wanted to be able to have the 150-600 span, especially when I need a closer shot..About the same price as the Nikon..But a better and more featured lens IMHO..And that 6 year warranty as well!!
Go for a "tilt-head" with an ARCA clamp.
I've had my D500 since early December, and no issues whatsoever after 10K clicks!
I've had my D500 since early December, and no issues whatsoever after 10K cl
icks!
The pistol grip on the Vanguard 263 will only give you an 8 degree rise going vertical..If you are into birds in the sky as well as elswhere, get a Gimbal head. I know Vanguard shows you how to do a convoluted switch of the head position, but it's very awkward and slow to do. You will not be happy with a ballhead with this lens either..At the very least. I would get a monopod with an arca plate, or a full gimbal head for your tripod..