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Gimbal Heads?
Nyfty
Registered Users Posts: 18 Big grins
I've acquired a 200-400mm f4, and would like input on gimbal head options. I don't live in an area where I can see a wide selection of heads. So any first hand knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
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Name brands such as Manfrotto, etc. can run ~ $600.
I use a Jobu Design gimbal, they start at ~ $400 with a plate.
http://www.jobu-design.com/
Off shore knock offs are ~ $150, just go to ebay and search gimbal.
Cheers, Don
Product Photography
My Acreage Bird Photographs
I don't have one but this is probably the model I would start with. You see them fairly frequently on the used market too. (Also look for the older Manfrotto 3421.)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=554099&Q=&is=REG&A=details
Reviews:
http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/manfrotto_393/393_1.html
http://www.richardpeters.co.uk/blog/2009/04/19/manfrotto-393-review/
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=151558
Videos at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Manfrotto%20393&sm=12
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Gimbals aren't the only kid on the block
pp
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No idea what others (that I've read about) use theirs for - although there were bif shots on their sites / in a book written by one of 'em.
In my case, I generally only use a tripod + v. head for non-low level shots - including bifs (as per those on my site).
I'll soon be digging that junk out again to have another go at herons with 'logs in gobs' ... and owls - if lucky enough for them to show up again
pp
Flickr
If you loosen the controls on the fluid head it can help with smoothly tracking moving subjects. Yes, there is more drag than with many gimbal heads, but many fluid heads can be loose enough so that it's not bad as long as the subject doesn't change direction too often.
I used a fluid head for action sports for a few years, until I quit doing doing that type of photography. I have covered gulls and eagles nicely with a fluid head too.
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Funny, I've tried my gimbal head for shooting video. Didn't work very well. :nah :giggle
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I went to Acratech site and looked at the Long Lens model which is probably a handles that just great, only drawback I can see is that if you do not tighten down enough you can have the camera flip forward or back when not a attended. That can be scary at times
The nice thing about a gimbal head, Jobu, RRS, Manfrotto, Wimberly, is that when you have the camera set up and balanced you can let it go and it stays at its balance point. When you have to slap a mosquito, sneeze, or turn around to look at something behind you.
Manfrotto like said before is the lowest cost option and very practical, but not as sexy as others, I was considering that purchase when I found a Wimberly II and Tripod used for a good deal.
The price of the Acratech long lens tripod head is about the same as many quality gimbals both new and used. Though it might be lighter than a gimbal you have a big chunk of glass there already saving weight at the head wont be that noticeable. As mentioned before you have a big Investment in that lens
Fluid video heads which I love for BIFs panning shots and video shooting. So much smoother tracking and more keepers I have found than gimbal heads just from the extra smooth movement and vibration damping. Just loosen them up to get faster movement. Cold weather could be an issue, but here in Calif it is not an issue. If you are trying to track hummingbirds or kinglets in a tree, then go gimbal
All depends on shooting style and subjects
Then again designing a fluid Gimbal head might be a business oppurtunity
http://kadvantage.smugmug.com/