I’m looking for recommendations for a gimbal head. My candidates are the Wimberley WH-200 and Sidekick (yes, I know that's not a true gimbal) and a RRS gimbal. I use a Nikon D850, Sigma 150-600 mm, and a RRS tripod.
Gimbal head recommendations
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I use the Jobu Design Heavy Duty MK 1V gimbal. I haven’t used Wimberley or RRS so cannot compare or comment other than to say price certainly was something I looked closely at. Love the Jobu and haven’t had any problems. I have no affiliation of any kind with Jobu, or any other similar company.
Darren Best
New member
I have the Neewer and I am really impressed with it's quality for under $100. Some reviewers on Amazon said they replaced the grease with a version less thick but I like how it moves slow.
I love my WH-200. I had one for 15 years and when my wife started shooting we purchased another. We swap them all the time and I can't tell them apart, save for the extra scratches on the old one. They just work and they last forever.
Fred A
Well-known member
+1 for the WH-200. Works well no matter the conditions, and has never let me down.
Benro GH2. Could swap it out for someone’s Wimberley and there’d be a good chance they wouldn’t realize it. It’s nearly identical in size, build quality and function... but it’s $350, about $200 less than Wimberley.
Yezdi
Well-known member
I have been using the Wimberly WH-200 for more than eight years now with no regrets at all. It just works every time, all the time. I use it on my Gitzo 3543LS as well as on my Gitzo monopod. Check out Steve's video on the same.
I took Steve's excellent advise and ordered the RRS 60mm Lever Release Clamp B2-LR-II and installed it on both my tripod and monopod. Also got the small dovetail plate BH-40 from RRS and fitted it on my WH-200 gimbal head. This helps to swap heads on the tripod and monopods very easily with no tools required. Steve has a whole video on that which you can see on his website.
![backcountrygallery.com](https://backcountrygallery.com/swap-tripod-heads-the-fast-way/\"/apple-touch-icon.png\")
backcountrygallery.com
If your finances permit, you can also get the RRS Pano-Gimbal Cradle Clamp PG-CC and attach it on your WH-200 for quick change and balancing your lens on your gimbal head. Life in the field gets very easy if you have the right tools on hand.
Next on my Christmas wishlist is the Wimberly MH-100 Mono Gimbal Head which our dear friend Steve raves about so much. Need to try that out for sure and avoid carrying my tripod all together. A big thank you to Steve, for all his regular wonderful reviews and excellent advise time and again over the years, be it on shooting techniques on wildlife or purchasing the correct gear. Steve just never disappoints, but my wife and wallet regularly does.
I took Steve's excellent advise and ordered the RRS 60mm Lever Release Clamp B2-LR-II and installed it on both my tripod and monopod. Also got the small dovetail plate BH-40 from RRS and fitted it on my WH-200 gimbal head. This helps to swap heads on the tripod and monopods very easily with no tools required. Steve has a whole video on that which you can see on his website.
Swap Tripod Heads The Fast Way! - Backcountry Gallery
Question – What happens when you have multiple heads that you want to use with multiple support methods? Maybe you have a gimbal head and want to use it on a tripod, then later want to use a ball head on that same set of legs. Or perhaps you want to use your gimbal head on both […]
backcountrygallery.com
If your finances permit, you can also get the RRS Pano-Gimbal Cradle Clamp PG-CC and attach it on your WH-200 for quick change and balancing your lens on your gimbal head. Life in the field gets very easy if you have the right tools on hand.
Next on my Christmas wishlist is the Wimberly MH-100 Mono Gimbal Head which our dear friend Steve raves about so much. Need to try that out for sure and avoid carrying my tripod all together. A big thank you to Steve, for all his regular wonderful reviews and excellent advise time and again over the years, be it on shooting techniques on wildlife or purchasing the correct gear. Steve just never disappoints, but my wife and wallet regularly does.
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I got a recommendation for a Benro GH-2C to be combined with my Gitzo GT 3532LS and I am really happy with it.
Excellent! I hadn’t seen that video. Great idea!I have been using the Wimberly WH-200 for more than eight years now with no regrets at all. It just works every time, all the time. I use it on my Gitzo 3543LS as well as on my Gitzo monopod. Check out Steve's video on the same.
I took Steve's excellent advise and ordered the RRS 60mm Lever Release Clamp B2-LR-II and installed it on both my tripod and monopod. Also got the small dovetail plate BH-40 from RRS and fitted it on my WH-200 gimbal head. This helps to swap heads on the tripod and monopods very easily with no tools required. Steve has a whole video on that which you can see on his website.
Swap Tripod Heads The Fast Way! - Backcountry Gallery
Question – What happens when you have multiple heads that you want to use with multiple support methods? Maybe you have a gimbal head and want to use it on a tripod, then later want to use a ball head on that same set of legs. Or perhaps you want to use your gimbal head on both […]
If your finances permit, you can also get the RRS Pano-Gimbal Cradle Clamp PG-CC and attach it on your WH-200 for quick change and balancing your lens on your gimbal head. Life in the field gets very easy if you have the right tools on hand.
Next on my Christmas wishlist is the Wimberly MH-100 Mono Gimbal Head which our dear friend Steve raves about so much. Need to try that out for sure and avoid carrying my tripod all together. A big thank you to Steve, for all his regular wonderful reviews and excellent advise time and again over the years, be it on shooting techniques on wildlife or purchasing the correct gear. Steve just never disappoints, but my wife and wallet regularly does.
Bigmo
Well-known member
WH-200, quality and workmanship is excellent.
I've owned both the Jobu GH2 and the Wimberley WH-200 (and also the original Wimberley Gimbal). Either will definitely get the job done and both are built like tanks and will securely hold the biggest lenses without trouble.
My only issue with the Jobu and why I forked out the cash to return to Wimberley is the extra panning drag adjustment you can do on the Wimberely with the big allen key in the center of the panning base. The Jobu had a sort of On/Off feel to both the panning and tilt knobs which is no big deal with the tilt assuming everything is well balanced but with the panning knob I didn't like the very loose or fully locked nature of that control on my copy of the Jobu.
The two heads look nearly identical but that extra allen key adjustment on the Wimberley can be used to set the panning drag to your personal preference (I like just a bit of light drag while panning) which I really like. Is that really small detail worth almost triple the retail price? That's a really tough call and if I hadn't found a really good deal on the Wimberley I'd still be shooting with the Jobu GH2.
I've also shot with the Sirui but that was just testing out another photographers setup so I haven't logged any real field time with that but first impressions were that it was well built, sturdy and similar in feel to the Jobu.
Honestly I think any of these sturdier and well built gimbal heads can do the job and be great tools in the field but the Wimberely is just a touch nicer at least in terms of being able to customize the panning feel.
My only issue with the Jobu and why I forked out the cash to return to Wimberley is the extra panning drag adjustment you can do on the Wimberely with the big allen key in the center of the panning base. The Jobu had a sort of On/Off feel to both the panning and tilt knobs which is no big deal with the tilt assuming everything is well balanced but with the panning knob I didn't like the very loose or fully locked nature of that control on my copy of the Jobu.
The two heads look nearly identical but that extra allen key adjustment on the Wimberley can be used to set the panning drag to your personal preference (I like just a bit of light drag while panning) which I really like. Is that really small detail worth almost triple the retail price? That's a really tough call and if I hadn't found a really good deal on the Wimberley I'd still be shooting with the Jobu GH2.
I've also shot with the Sirui but that was just testing out another photographers setup so I haven't logged any real field time with that but first impressions were that it was well built, sturdy and similar in feel to the Jobu.
Honestly I think any of these sturdier and well built gimbal heads can do the job and be great tools in the field but the Wimberely is just a touch nicer at least in terms of being able to customize the panning feel.
The Sidekick is robust enough for the 150-600 Contemporary, but really borderline for the Sport. I like using the Sidekick for a lighter lens. The gimbal action is a big benefit for action and motion.
I've used a Really Right Stuff gimbal head for about 8-10 years. It's a great design. It's got three separate pieces - all adjustable. So you can adjust the height of the quick release cradle, adjust the gimbal to the width of the lens, etc. One of the things I like is the ability to use the components in other configurations such as support for macro rails. It's also nice to be able to break down the gimbal into a smaller size to fit in my lens bag. This gimbal may be a little more expensive than the Wimberley full gimbal, but it has some positives.
One other source to consider is 4th Generation Design. Their Mongoose gimbal head is a first rate product and lighter than most full gimbal alternatives. 4th Generation Design is a small shop with some interesting products. I've used their Companion as a light gimbal. It's much smaller than the Sidekick and very packable.
Has anyone tried Pro Media Gear?
Jucaboes
New member
You can´t go wrong with Jobu Designs. I tried Sirui, Benro, Wimberley WH200, and ended up with Jobu Jr. Please consider buying the gimbal that is specified for the intended weight use. In my case, the ones I tried first were for a lot more weight than what I use. D850, 200-500,SB-700 Flash, L-bracket (Not needed but never remove it from the camera), flash cable and base plate. None of the former gimbals offered the precision to easily move from the bird shoulder to the eye, they tend to jump as the camera and lens weight is too low. With the Jobu is butter smooth. Also consider your future purchases, but for me, my future is a 500 pf so even less weight. At least this is what my experience has been.
I've been using a Benro GH2 and I love it. It is solid and smooth with a gripped D500 and 500mm F4G lens, with no play or slop in the mechanism. While I haven't used the Wimberley (which seems to be the de facto gold standard for gimbals), for me, the difference in price was worth trying the Benro, and once in hand I couldn't find any faults, and it far exceeded my expectations. The build quality is high, and I feel confident it will last for years.
I have handled ProMedia gear tripods, plates and heads. The design, workmanship and materials are first rate. They intend to compete directly with Really Right Stuff and are at a similar price point. I find some of the products to be a little more innovative - like geared heads.
I'd have no problem considering their gimbal heads and would expect them to hold up over time. That's the difference with some of the second tier companies. The cost of materials alone would be prohibitive at a lower price point. So there has to be a compromise in the grade of metal, cast vs. milled, painted vs. anodized, and other elements.
Viseguy
Well-known member
I currently use the Wimberley WH-200. I did use for quite a while the RRS full gimbal. IMO the RRS is a nicer and much smoother setup. Also more expensive. I ultimately sold my RRS and went with the Wimberley WH-200 for its simplicity and it weighs a little less than the RRS full gimbal. You can't go wrong with either one, but the RRS is as I said heavier, and needs to be assembled before each use. Also if you go with the Wimberley WH-200, best to use the RRS cradle/clamp.
Sundance
New member
I was about to order a new Wimberley WH-200, but decided to check Craigs List first. I found a used Wimberley WH-200 for $300.00. Has a few scratches but that's it. Works perfectly and I'm so glad I got it. I read the reviews on the different gimbals before I decided on the one I wanted and many of them compared themselves to the Wimberley and would say things like; "well it's not a Wimberley, but it does a good job." I also liked that the Wimberley was a farther/son operation local in the USA. I like supporting the small privately owned local businesses. And of course Steve's video showing how the Wimberley worked, didn't hurt.
Beernuts
New member
My current gimbal head is the Benro GH2 that I’ve really enjoyed using. On the horizontal plane it’s very smooth while on the vertical plane it has just the right amount of tension so as to not flop around. The build quality is excellent and appears it will last a long time. I looked real hard at the Wimberly but at the moment I ”needed” (
) to make the purchase I couldn’t come up with the extra $200. Either gimbal head is a great choice and you won’t be disappointed in either one.
) to make the purchase I couldn’t come up with the extra $200. Either gimbal head is a great choice and you won’t be disappointed in either one.Ineluki
Active member
I have also the Berno GH2 which is as good as the Wimberley WH-200 but not so expensive.
Chrisjim
New member
I use the lensmaster gimbal RH-2 made from aircraft grade aluminium. Quite heavy but nice and solid and smooth, £187.
I have the Pro Media Katana Jr gimble head and am quite satisfied with it. I chose it over the Wimberly since it is slightly lighter and appears to be a more modern design. It is recommended by Steve Gettle, but he may be somewhat biased since he has a relationship with Pro Media. On the other hand, the other Steve [Perry] strongly recommends the Wimberly and appears free of commercial bias.
If you look at the ratings on B&H, customers rate the Wimberly higher and there are no negative comments. I do have the Wimberly Sidekick and the new Wimberly monopod gimbal head, the MH100, and find them both to be first rate. I don't think you could go wrong with either gimbal head.
Bill
I use the Wimberley Sidekick on a RRS BH-55 ballhead and RRS TVC 34 MK2 tripod. It supports my Nikon D5 and 500mm F4 w/ 1.4x. This is a beast of a support. I use this setup so that I also have a ballhead available when not using my big stuff allowing me to take it for long exposure photos.
I've got a Wimberley -200 and haven't seen another that I'd trade it for. When it's set up correctly, is is too easy to use.
W
W
I've got a Jobu Pro 1st gen and I'm going to have to replace it now with this bigger lens. I get a lot of movement from the swing arm... they sell the 2nd gen upgrade but I'm not sure if that's going to be enough to fix the issues or not. I've been looking at the Wimberley.. decisions-decisions.