Flex Shooter Pro Ball Head

[jNeill]

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you have had any experience with the Flex Shooter Pro Ball Head ? I would appreciate any comments.
thank You very much.
Judy

 

[RichF]

I have one and find it is a great alternative to lugging around both a gimbal and ball head. Not as good as gimbal and heavier than a ball, but lighter than both combined. I ended up purchasing the Flex Shooter with quick release lever directly from the manufacturer in Europe. Saved several hundred dollars versus buying it from a US distributer.

 

[Marcus Slade]

I have one and find it is a great alternative to lugging around both a gimbal and ball head. Not as good as gimbal and heavier than a ball, but lighter than both combined. I ended up purchasing the Flex Shooter with quick release lever directly from the manufacturer in Europe. Saved several hundred dollars versus buying it from a US distributer.

I am looking at this too. Though more than happy with my Jobu gimbal, I am thinking about the Flex Shooter as a hybrid for use when travelling and then also, with its levelling head, for landscape work. Limited commentary and video review out there so far. Sure looks like a well designed product. Any observations and feedback you could share? Thx.

 

[jhorsch]

Don't have diect experience myself but was with a well-known pro in South Texas a few months ago who has been using the Flex Shooter Pro for several months. He shoots a wide variety of wildlife subjects - we were mostly shooting birds and BIF on that trip. Anywho, he said he was very pleased with the Flex Shooter and hasn't used his Wimberly Gimbal since buyinng the Flex Shooter.

 

[aolander]

I have one and find it is a great alternative to lugging around both a gimbal and ball head. Not as good as gimbal and heavier than a ball, but lighter than both combined. I ended up purchasing the Flex Shooter with quick release lever directly from the manufacturer in Europe. Saved several hundred dollars versus buying it from a US distributer.

I don't see where it's several hundred dollars cheaper from the European manufacturer. It's more expensive with the Euro to dollar conversion. Or maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

 

[Anjin San]

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you have had any experience with the Flex Shooter Pro Ball Head ? I would appreciate any comments.
thank You very much.
Judy

There’s another thread here about it…but it’s great. I use one and it is about 90% of a regular gimbal head at lower cost and less weight so no head changes re needed.

 

[RichF]

I don't see where it's several hundred dollars cheaper from the European manufacturer. It's more expensive with the Euro to dollar conversion. Or maybe I'm looking in the wrong place?

Hi Alan,

Prices to US drops from 590 to 465 Euros, no VAT. Free shipping, vs $700 plus sales tax from B&H. Check out ballhead.com or ballhead.eu

 

[aolander]

Hi Alan,

Prices to US drops from 590 to 465 Euros, no VAT. Free shipping, vs $700 plus sales tax from B&H. Check out ballhead.com or ballhead.eu

OK, great! Thanks!

 

[aolander]

Would the Flexshooter Mini be adequate for a D500 and 200-500mm as the heaviest combination I have?

 

[RichF]

Would the Flexshooter Mini be adequate for a D500 and 200-500mm as the heaviest combination I have?

I used mine on D850 w/ grip and 180-400 and it worked well. Since the 200-500 much lighter than the 180-400 I think you will be fine though YMMV

 

[Abinoone]

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you have had any experience with the Flex Shooter Pro Ball Head ? I would appreciate any comments.
thank You very much.
Judy

The only real benefit to the Flexshooter Pro is having only one head to tote when traveling, versus carrying separate gimbal and ball heads. In fact, I only use mine on flights to more distant locations, when luggage space is at a premium. I still much prefer using my Benro gimbal and Kirk ball head in the field, as they provide more flexibility, fluidity, and range of motion than the Flexshooter Pro. Unless you spend a lot of time flying to exotic locations where you really can't both take your gimbal and ball heads, I'd save the $700 and use it for something you really need or want. Just my two cents.

 

[GrandNagus50]

Would the Flexshooter Mini be adequate for a D500 and 200-500mm as the heaviest combination I have?

Yes, definitely.

 

[aolander]

I used mine on D850 w/ grip and 180-400 and it worked well. Since the 200-500 much lighter than the 180-400 I think you will be fine though YMMV

Yes, definitely.

Thank you.....

 

[jhorsch]

About RichF's B&H and sales tax comment, if you use their Payboo credit card you will avoid sales tax. When you check out B&H charges sales tax as usual but PayBoo rebates it when you use their card, thus purchases are tax-free. A great deal, especially on big ticket items (our local sales tax is 8.25%).

 

[RichF]

About RichF's B&H and sales tax comment, if you use their Payboo credit card you will avoid sales tax. When you check out B&H charges sales tax as usual but PayBoo rebates it when you use their card, thus purchases are tax-free. A great deal, especially on big ticket items (our local sales tax is 8.25%).

I use the PayBoo card (sales tax in Illinois w/ local taxes) is 10 or 10+%. Not sure how B&H does it, but glad they do. But not everyone has or will get a PayBoo card (for whatever reason).

 

[jNeill]

Hi Steve,
I was wondering if you have had any experience with the Flex Shooter Pro Ball Head ? I would appreciate any comments.
thank You very much.
Judy
[/QUOTE
Thank You Steve,
I am wondering because I photograph Wild Horses and I do love my Wimberley, I am a small person, and carrying two cameras and a tripod with a Gimbal is just getting to much for me anymore. Age is creeping up on me. So, I would like to use it on a light travel tripod out on the range. Sometimes we hike 4 or 5 miles a day. I do have a friend who just got one and is very pleased with it. He bought the flex shooter Pro Ball Head. I would not buy the mini, for $20 you will get a more sturdy piece of equipment. Please let me know if any more of you have tried this. thank You

 

[ingweDave]

I have been using the Flex Shooter Pro for quite some time. It is my choice when travelling and keeping weight down. It is important to get it balanced correctly, which is not a problem. If weight and space are not an issue, I would still prefer my Wimberley gimbal. However, the Flex Shooter is my choice 80% of the time. What tips the balance for me is that I also shoot landscapes, so I was carrying the gimbal and a RRS BH55 as well. The Flex Shooter does both well but if I had no need for a ball head, I would probably stick with the gimbal.

 

[Marcus Slade]

I have been using the Flex Shooter Pro for quite some time. It is my choice when travelling and keeping weight down. It is important to get it balanced correctly, which is not a problem. If weight and space are not an issue, I would still prefer my Wimberley gimbal. However, the Flex Shooter is my choice 80% of the time. What tips the balance for me is that I also shoot landscapes, so I was carrying the gimbal and a RRS BH55 as well. The Flex Shooter does both well but if I had no need for a ball head, I would probably stick with the gimbal.

And would it be fair to say that the levelling feature of the Flex Shooter makes it a snap to switch to “landscape mode” so to speak?

 

[jNeill]

Thank You IngweDave I think that it will fit my needs...

 

[lwan]

Came across this head on mrjangear website's and was wondering too about it. Thanks for the inputs!

 

[jNeill]

Sure.

 

[RichF]

And would it be fair to say that the levelling feature of the Flex Shooter makes it a snap to switch to “landscape mode” so to speak?

You can level the head and easily pan with it.

 

[Rectory Photography]

The flex shooter works really well. I sold my gimble and just use my flexshooter 100% of the time...Its just easier to carry and fits into smaller spaces such as hides etc.... I don't know if a gimble might be better in any way , but if there is any difference its insignificant.....to me at least.
I would be happy using it with any camera / lens combinations including 600mm f4 etc... it can handle anything.
I highly recommend the quick release version....allowing me to quickly release and hand hold the camera if the action dictates.

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[mrt]

I use the flexshooter with a 500mm f4 plus tc 1.4 on a D850. No problems. Compact profile is a plus.

 

[Ken Miracle]

I have one and find it is a great alternative to lugging around both a gimbal and ball head. Not as good as gimbal and heavier than a ball, but lighter than both combined. I ended up purchasing the Flex Shooter with quick release lever directly from the manufacturer in Europe. Saved several hundred dollars versus buying it from a US distributer.

My Flex Shooter Pro with lever is in the mail it has not been available in the US for some time so I finally ordered it from MrJan Gear where I got my long lens carrier that took about 2 weeks but with the time of year it is this may take longer.