Why can't I make a decision on which Gimbal?

Kinobe

Kinobe

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Hi all,

I'm finding it tricky to decide on which Gimbal to go for. For the first time when purchasing equipment I can't decide?
I'm looking at purchasing one of the following:

Benro GH2
Jobu Gimbal Deluxe Jr3
Sirrui PH20
Benro GH3

This will be used for a 500F4 on a Gitzo3542xls.

Do any of you guys have any of the above and what do you like about it? Pros/Cons.
In all honesty they do seem to be a rip off for what they actually are imo? But I won't compromise on a budget gimbal due to the cost of the equipment which it needs to support.
I watched video after video on youtube and all have pros/cons.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Kinobe
 
Kinobe said:
Jobu Gimbal Deluxe Jr3
Click to expand...

I have two of their BlackWidow Pro II, awesome quality.

To all my students, a recommend the Jobu Design that
is already on your list… I like to keep my students!
 
Not really helping you any but have you looked at these http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/index.htm
I got an RH-1 this week and used it this morning for the first time and am really impressed with it. It is my first gimbal so i have nothing to compare it to though.
 
phil_b said:
I got an RH-1 this week and used it this morning for the first time and am really impressed with it.
Click to expand...

I got a few issues with that product and your model.
  • a side mount may be useful with a 200mm but
    not a 500 ƒ4… I would not recommend it
  • the pan button is in a weird spot but accessible
    only f the gimbal is on the other side of the lens
  • the L mount is not anti vibration! So maybe ok
    for shorter lens but longer???
  • Durability is the weakness in the tests at this point.
  • there is not adjustment for the CoG… lethal.
 
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Kodiak Qc said:
I got a few issues with that product and your model.
  • a side mount may be useful with a 200mm but
    not a 500 ƒ4… I would not recommend it
  • the pan button is in a weird spot but accessible
    only f the gimbal is on the other side of the lens
  • the L mount is not anti vibration! So maybe ok
    for shorter lens but longer???
  • Durability is the weakness in the tests at this point.
  • there is not adjustment for the CoG… lethal.
Click to expand...

I am using it with a 150-600 zoom. Re CoG, i have a long arca swiss plate fitted to the lens foot and this allows adjustment backwards and forwards to achieve balance.
 
phil_b said:
I am using it with a 150-600 zoom
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… a light weight compared to the 500 ƒ4.
phil_b said:
i have a long arca swiss plate fitted to the lens foot to achieve balance.
Click to expand...
Yes, balance…
but I'm talking to set the centre of the lens
some 2 mm under the tilt point… CoG, the
balance is set after CoG is correct… no
pendle effect

Maybe you don't need all this as it is weight
dependant. Side mount and CoG may not
be on your priority list as you are using your
gimbal with lighter gear.
 
I use the lensmaster RH2 with my 150-600 lens. I really like it. I've never tried any others though.
 
The Sirui costs too much. It also flexes too much so I would compare it's "load rating" more akin to the Jobu Jr (i.e. 12-15lb). It also doesn't really have adjustable friction. IMO, it's a marketing gimick/trend (and I usually like Sirui products).

The GH-3 weighs the most but can be disassembled for packing/travel and can be used as a side mount if weight really matters. Also has the greatest load rating (stability)

The Jobu is too small light for stability... and costs too much IMO. Also has limited height adjustability. But if weight is a huge concern and you're going to always use it unlocked/free swinging, then maybe (you can also swap lens feet for additional height adjustment at additional cost).

The GH-2 is the bargain of the bunch. Height adjustable, sturdy, adjustable frictions, reasonable price. Not the smoothest friction adjustments (at least in the one I had) and some of the bearings are delrin (not necessarily a bad thing).

IMO, the best ones on the market* are the ProMedia Katana or the RRS FG-02... but I wouldn't buy one (cost prohibitive).

Personally, I've quit using gimbal heads entirely and have switched to UniqBall... but they are *not* a direct replacement for a gimbal.


*edit: that I have ever seen/tested... there are almost certainly some I don't know about.
 
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Bobsyeruncle said:
I use the lensmaster RH2 with my 150-600 lens. I really like it. I've never tried any others though.
Click to expand...


Right Robert, the same lighter weight too!
Not everyone have the same needs or the
same budget.

For my long lenses are on the heavy side
of gear, I want what fells neutral when in
operation.
 
Kodiak Qc said:
a side mount may be useful with a 200mm but
not a 500 ƒ4… I would not recommend it
Click to expand...
A side mount automatically centers the CG vertically, IMO this is as useful as a Gimbal that only supports the lens at a set height (fixed cradle). The main issue is how far off-center it places the CG over the legs... but with a 500/4 there are replacement feet of various heights available (the Nikon comes with two).
I have no issue with the security of a side mount per-se, but they can be quite annoying to mount a heavy lens/camera onto.
 
sk66 said:
if weight is a huge concern and you're going to always use it unlocked/free swinging…
Click to expand...


Both knobs on all Jobu Design gimbals offer very
precise damping of pan and tilt movements.
 
The RH 1 is great with smaller lenses up to a 300 F2.8 - I state this, simply, because that is what I use it for! For larger lenses we need to look at more serious support.

For my, current, Big Gun I use the Winberley 2. Yes it is expensive - but it works! More importantly - it works better than any of the alternatives that I have tried..

The OP has already bought a superb lens and an excellent tripod - it would be silly to compromise on the head. Just "Bite the Bullet" and get a Wimberley. Yes they are silly money but they just work better!
 
Kodiak Qc said:
Both knobs on all Jobu Design gimbals offer very
precise damping of pan and tilt movements.
Click to expand...
Yes, but that doesn't really matter much if it doesn't have the stiffness/load capacity required... It's kind of like undersized tripod legs, they'll wiggle/twist but that doesn't really matter much if it is only being used for weight support and not true "stability." I would probably consider it suitable for moving subjects *only* with a 500/4 combination.
 
If you're not compromising on budget, i highly recommend the Wimberly.
 
sk66 said:
The Sirui costs too much. It also flexes too much so I would compare it's "load rating" more akin to the Jobu Jr (i.e. 12-15lb). It also doesn't really have adjustable friction. IMO, it's a marketing gimick/trend (and I usually like Sirui products).

The GH-3 weighs the most but can be disassembled for packing/travel and can be used as a side mount if weight really matters. Also has the greatest load rating (stability)

The Jobu is too small light for stability... and costs too much IMO. Also has limited height adjustability. But if weight is a huge concern and you're going to always use it unlocked/free swinging, then maybe (you can also swap lens feet for additional height adjustment at additional cost).

The GH-2 is the bargain of the bunch. Height adjustable, sturdy, adjustable frictions, reasonable price. Not the smoothest friction adjustments (at least in the one I had) and some of the bearings are delrin (not necessarily a bad thing).

IMO, the best ones on the market* are the ProMedia Katana or the RRS FG-02... but I wouldn't buy one (cost prohibitive).

Personally, I've quit using gimbal heads entirely and have switched to UniqBall... but they are *not* a direct replacement for a gimbal.


*edit: that I have ever seen/tested... there are almost certainly some I don't know about.
Click to expand...

Thanks SK66. I've been leaning towards the GH2/GH3.
I've ruled out wimberley due to the cost? I just can't justify it. All of my work so far with the 500F4 has been handheld but I'm off on a trip to Skomer and not sure my arms will take the brunt of my setup whilst on the island. Already picked up the 3542xls so I'm halfway there. Thanks again for that recommendation it's one steady tripod and pretty lightweight.
 
sk66 said:
I don't rate them much higher than the GH-2... at that price point I would buy a ProMediaGear Katana Jr.
Click to expand...

Difficult to comment as i was not impressed by the GH2 and have no experience of the Katana!

All I can say is that they are both more expensive than my Wimberley 2 (used but - mint) was.

For what it's worth - I use the longest lens currently available from Canon/Nikon for the vast majority of my photography (Canon 800 F5.6 L IS), have no use for IS and have not encountered a head that competes at anywhere near the price.

Having said that there was an Italian made head that I had a look at at the Photography Show in the NEC this year that looked VERY interesting! Very pretty, very rigid, quite a bit lighter than my Wimberley 2 and nice and smooth to operate. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name because I had to be resuscitated when they told me the price! Not quite literally but £900 for a tripod head - I was in shock!

Yes the Wimberley 2 is very expensive - but it works!
 
Now they are nice and look like they won't fall apart like my Carbon benro did, but man, I thought my wimberley 2 was expensive! You (OP) may want to budget for a foot too.
 
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Just sold a lensmaster ,that i used with my 1d series cameras and a 500mm f4 and while i found it OK while shooting static i was never 100% confident when i had the legs fully out on ny Gitzo GT35 ,i have also tried numerous other Gimbals but to be honest once i tried a wimberley Mk1 i have not looked back perfect for me ,i have also tried the WH2 yes its lighter than the mk1 but the mk1 feels better for me ....i can see me having the wimberley a long time
 
johnf3f said:
Difficult to comment as i was not impressed by the GH2 and have no experience of the Katana!
Click to expand...
I do think the Wimberley Mk2 is *a bit* better than the GH-2, and it wouldn't surprise me if they have a bit better QC. But the design/construction is about identical (plastic bearings-bushings/open roller bearings/sliding block tension-lock, etc) and with a complete disassembly/service I was able to get the GH2 to perform nearly identically (it was close before). The only thing I didn't like and couldn't correct was the panning drag friction... it was pretty much just on/off and very hard to set anywhere in-between. BTW, I was using an 800/5.6 with it at the time. At about 1/2 the price, I have a hard time recommending the Mk2 instead.

However, the ProMediaGear gimbals use sealed stainless steel bearings everywhere... this is (IMO) a big deal and a big improvement over the open roller bearings/plastic of the others if you use the head in any kind of adverse environment. Plus, they just work smoother and adjustments are more refined. The Katana Jr costs about $100 less than the Mk2 and will very comfortably hold a 400/2.8 or 600/4 with a pro body attached... I can't say about the biggest 800mm lenses as I haven't ever tried them on a Katana (sold mine), but I don't have any reason to suspect it would be inadequate.

FWIW, I have not disassembled a katana whereas I have disassembled the GH-2, Mk2, and a side mount gimbal I had (forget which it was). Also worth noting is that the Jobu gimbals are now full roller bearing (tilt and pan, not sure if they are sealed or not) but I haven't used/tested one since the changes.


IMHO, everything is a compromise of some sort... I would buy a used Mk2 over a new GH2, but I would buy a new GH2 or Jr over a new Mk2 (depending on the priority).
 
den said:
Just sold a lensmaster ,that i used with my 1d series cameras and a 500mm f4 and while i found it OK while shooting static i was never 100% confident when i had the legs fully out on ny Gitzo GT35 ,i have also tried numerous other Gimbals but to be honest once i tried a wimberley Mk1 i have not looked back perfect for me ,i have also tried the WH2 yes its lighter than the mk1 but the mk1 feels better for me ....i can see me having the wimberley a long time
Click to expand...
IMO, the Mk2 has two minor advantages... lighter weight and the ability to set the minimum panning drag separate from the overall panning drag. Oh yeah, and they added a small hole in the side of the base to help getting it uninstalled from a tripod.

A used Mk1 could be the bargain of the bunch as they go for about $250 (US).
 
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one of the huge plusses of the old Wimberley heads( mki ) was that it was easy to set a very light tension on either or both controls. This was beneficial when you were working at relatively slow shutter speeds and wanted a bit of tension to increase sharpness while still being able to follow slow-moving subjects. Being able to set just a bit of drag was also quite helpful on windy days. It helped to control the rig in the wind and kept you from getting smacked in the face if you were not holding onto your rig and not paying attention... , .... yes more weight to the mki ,i have tried both and i am being honest i do prefer the mk1 once i have got to my destination
 
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TLR-330 said:
These by any chance http://www.zenelli.it/en/shop.html At least they are made from carbon and won't rust as much as my La Pavoni professional or whatever model it is :dummy:
Click to expand...

Yes that's the one! VERY pretty and seemed to function awfully well! I was a bit taken aback by the price - but shaving a few grams without compromising stability is expensive!
 
sk66 said:
I do think the Wimberley Mk2 is *a bit* better than the GH-2, and it wouldn't surprise me if they have a bit better QC. But the design/construction is about identical (plastic bearings-bushings/open roller bearings/sliding block tension-lock, etc) and with a complete disassembly/service I was able to get the GH2 to perform nearly identically (it was close before). The only thing I didn't like and couldn't correct was the panning drag friction... it was pretty much just on/off and very hard to set anywhere in-between. BTW, I was using an 800/5.6 with it at the time. At about 1/2 the price, I have a hard time recommending the Mk2 instead.

However, the ProMediaGear gimbals use sealed stainless steel bearings everywhere... this is (IMO) a big deal and a big improvement over the open roller bearings/plastic of the others if you use the head in any kind of adverse environment. Plus, they just work smoother and adjustments are more refined. The Katana Jr costs about $100 less than the Mk2 and will very comfortably hold a 400/2.8 or 600/4 with a pro body attached... I can't say about the biggest 800mm lenses as I haven't ever tried them on a Katana (sold mine), but I don't have any reason to suspect it would be inadequate.

FWIW, I have not disassembled a katana whereas I have disassembled the GH-2, Mk2, and a side mount gimbal I had (forget which it was). Also worth noting is that the Jobu gimbals are now full roller bearing (tilt and pan, not sure if they are sealed or not) but I haven't used/tested one since the changes.


IMHO, everything is a compromise of some sort... I would buy a used Mk2 over a new GH2, but I would buy a new GH2 or Jr over a new Mk2 (depending on the priority).
Click to expand...

My Wimberley 2 is quite an early one but I have no idea on the internals of it as I have yet to need to maintain it in any way - part of what I like about it! One disadvantage that it does have (cured in newer models) is that the 3/8 mounting thread is made of alloy and hence vulnerable to cross threading - the current ones use Stainless Steel. This is simply not a problem for me as I attach a head to a Gitzo top plate and leave it there as I find it quicker and easier to swap top plates, with the heads attached, rather than faff about unscrewing heads repeatedly.

Thanks for your thoughts on the GH2 - perhaps the two that I tried were not quite up to the mark. They certainly weren't bad - just not as good.
 
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