Gimbal head.

Phil White

Phil White

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I'm looking at buying a gimbal head for when I get my super telephoto lens.
There appears to be several different ones that look the same with somewhat large price differences and I don't want to be buying any rubbish so what do you recommend and while on the subject what tripod too.

Thank you.
 
I've had a pricey one, well known brand, Wimberley, and a cheap chinese one. They worked the same. I remember posting on a forum for advice and 90% feedback was get the expensive one, like at 5x the price, Most I had on it was a 300mm 2.8. Did the job, just had a few rough edges. I do tho think a good tripod is essential. I had a Gitzo then.
 
Wimberley + Feisol = great combination ... Wimberley Mk1 can sometimes be found used and saves £££'s :)
 
Tend to agree with gramps, you get what you pay for.

What is your budget & how much use are you intending to get out of it? (imho no point spending a fortune for occasional use)
 
I support a Nikon D4 with a 1.7x TC and a Nikon 400mm f2.8 VR on a £45 Beike and it does everything i want or need it to do
 
I have just bought aBenro GH3 and have found this very good with my Gitzo tripod.The lens I use is a Sigma 150-500.Hope this might help
 
I've used quite a few different gimbal heads with my 300 and 500mm lenses. My main go to one is the Benro mentioned by Sue in the thread above. Really pleased with it. I've also bought a few of the Beike ones mentioned by Gary, these I use in the hides for visitors. No where near the quality of movement from the Benro gimbal but at £45, they are excellent value for money and that counts for a lot.
 
Thanks for the replies, my budget is about £250.00 and will be using it a fair amount, most weekends and summer evenings where possible. Will be supporting a Nikon 400 F2.8 or a 600 f4
 
I first got the Beike, for the price it's ok. I found the movement not very smooth. I later got a benro GH2 off here, the movement is much better too the point even the slightest touch can move it. The beike wins on cost whilst the benro wins on quality and build. I've never used a wimberley but I can't see the reason for spending double on one compared to the benro gh2. I still use the beike but only occasionally AF places like beaches where sand and grit could ruin the benro gh2.
 
Thanks again for the replies i much appreciate it.
The Lensmaster RH-2 looks like a good product.
 
I have just emailed Lensmaster about some specifics on their RH-2 that i want to know and will probably be buying one, next up will be tripod choice.
 
I use an Induro. Pretty decent but its no Wimberley. However its certainly good enough for my use. Biggest difference is in the swing of the gimbal. Its not as smooth as the wimberley. I'm using it with a 500mm. I would certainly second that a sturdy tripod helps.

Feisol tripods seem to be well made. Mate has just bought one and I was quite impressed with it.

I have a big gitzo. Bit heavy but very very stable and covers all bases from landscape to big telephotos.

Oh, and its bloody expensive.
 
I used the lensmaster for a while but was never happy with it so I ended up giving it away.
 
Not the cheapest, but I'm a Wimberly fan....had a problem with mine (a second hand mk2) and it was repaired and set up under warranty by Bob Rigby, the importer.......can't ask for better service than that.

Also had a Manfrotto 410.....very good value for money, but it's the kind of thing you only buy once...

George.
 
+1 for the Beike. I'm using it with a 600 f4 and really like the movement.
 
...but I don't think the Wimberly would be the wrong one!!
 
Lensmaster for me Phil,quality is outstanding.
 
So the consensus is look at them all and hopefully you'll get the one that best suits you.......2nd hand stuff also comes up from time to time and should also be fine...especially if it's from the forum, I suspect!!
 
If I could make one observation and I know it's expensive, but I've changed the screw fitting which seems to be standard on these heads for the Really Right Stuff lever clamp, I find it much quicker and easier to use than the screw ones, and I've standardised this on my monopod as well so I have complete and quick compatibility between my systems, lenses etc.....just a thought!!

Here's the link..and I wish I got commission!!

http://www.reallyrightstuff.com/PG-...=1.158215546.1728791115.1453238953&lang=en_US

Best of luck!!
George.
 
Depends on your budget. I'd rather save for a longer period and buy the one I really want rather than always wondering if the one I bought was the right one. Although I take mine with me wherever I go I find I use it less and less these days.

Buying the "right" one also gets you nods, winks and special handshakes that opens doors and lets you in to the "proper" hides, the hides lesser people aren't allowed in to ;)
 
I have a King cobra which is about 15 years old never put a foot wrong, you do get what you pay for .(600 f4 mk1/2).
 
Gary Coyle said:
i love the movement on mine, theres just a tiny amount of resistance which gives you the confidence your lens isnt going to suddenly topple
Click to expand...

Exactly! I was in a hide at the weekend next to a guy with a much more fluid head who wanted to borrow an extender. I politely asked him if the head was secured before putting it on....you know what's coming next...he said it was but then took his 1dx off and wham lens gets a whack....at least with the Beike if you make this mistake you have a chance of catching it :)
 
newbie1 said:
Exactly! I was in a hide at the weekend next to a guy with a much more fluid head who wanted to borrow an extender. I politely asked him if the head was secured before putting it on....you know what's coming next...he said it was but then took his 1dx off and wham lens gets a whack....at least with the Beike if you make this mistake you have a chance of catching it :)
Click to expand...
Sounds like he didn't lock it properly before removing the camera from the lens altering the balance point (now front heavy) hence the lens dropping and taking a hit. The same would happen on a Beike if you are stupid enough to take off the camera without properly locking the gimbals movement.
 
Gary Coyle said:
i love the movement on mine, theres just a tiny amount of resistance which gives you the confidence your lens isnt going to suddenly topple
Click to expand...
Gary if the lens/camera is properly balanced it should be able to be left at any angle without dropping downwards, I always thought that was the main advantage of a gimbal head. The Beike does have more friction but like you say not a massive amount. Ive noticed on mine when using large panning angles for birds in flight friction is good but there is a lumpy bit that shows up. For shorter panning angles like seals on a beach I've found the Beike to be fine and very good for the cost.
 
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