Getting the balance right

[gilbouk]

I have a Lensmaster RH-2 Gimbal and a Camlink CL-TPPRO28-SL Tripod, and find the combo weighs an awful lot. Following advice on the forum, I have found that my photos turn out much much better when using a tripod and gimbal combo - the only problem is that carrying it along with my camera and lens is a back breaker!! Having a look at gimbals - it appears they all weigh around the 1.5kg mark - so the improvement appears to be in perhaps looking for a carbon tripod but even still it's not going to make a huge weight difference overall. I guess I need to learn to stay in the same place for most of the day and stop doing 6 mile walks. How far do folk on the forum normally walk with their gear when out on a birding trip? Do you put everything away before you move, or do you carry everything setup, ie camera on the gimbal, tripod legs extended ready to plop it down if you see something you want to capture?

Finally - when adjusting zoom - I find that this upsets the balance on the gimbal. It can be a little annoying as the camera will want to do things you don't want it to. Is there a solution other than having to re-balance?

 

[chris malcolm]

With respect to zooming unbalancing a gimbal, one possible amelioration is the use of lenses with internal zoom, i.e. the lens doesn't change its length when zooming, it just moves internal elements around. I don't know if that option exists in the 200-500mm range for your camera.

I acquired an 80-200mm f2.8 zoom which happened to have internal zoom, which I hadn't known about. Not only does it not unbalance a gimbal, but it also doesn't unbalance a ball head. My lightweight option for big lenses on long walks is a monopod and ball head, along with a long sliding quick release plate which allows me to adjust balance quickly for different lenses or elevations.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

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That why I only use IF long lenses… primes or zooms.
And nope, the solution is a compromise: set the balance
when your zoom is extended.