Travel Gimbals

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BlackRockArt

BlackRockArt

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Hi y'all. I wonder what light weight gimbals you guys use ? I have looked at some of the carbon gimbals , what is your real world experience ? Thanks in advance.

Oliver

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Not carbon composite but I got a Jobu J3 specifically to save weight/space for travel. If I remember correctly it's a pound and a half(700g) lighter than the Wimberly 200 and a good bit smaller. One down side is that it does not have the vertical adjustment to perfectly align the lens centerline with the pivot point. I've found the smaller/lighter size to outweigh the downside of less than perfect balance.
 
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I have a RRS gimbal -- well made and big & heavy, so that I have not traveled with it. I bought a FlexShooter Pro head last year. It's something of a hybrid, with both ballhead and gimbal characteristics. Weighs less than my RRS BH-55. On a landscape outing, I'd probably take the BH-55. On a wildlife outing, I'd probably take the FlexShooter Pro.

The FlexShooter Pro works great with my Z9 and 800 mm PF. And on a trip to Bosque, one of the participants used it to hold a D6 and 600 mm f4 lens. So it has the capacity to work with large lenses and bodies. (Seeing him use the FlexShooter Pro caused me to get one to try.)
 
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NorthernFocus said:
Not carbon composite but I got a Jobu J3 specifically to save weight/space for travel. If I remember correctly it's a pound and a half(700g) lighter than the Wimberly 200 and a good bit smaller. One down side is that it does not have the vertical adjustment to perfectly align the lens centerline with the pivot point. I've found the smaller/lighter size to outweigh the downside of less than perfect balance.
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The Jobu J3 is 1.7 lbs......almost half that of the Wimberley 200 at 3.1 lbs! That weight savings would have been nice on my recent trip!
 
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I use an older version of the Jobu Jr.3 or the Jobu Jr.3 DLX. The DLX version allows for better balance with some lenses like the Nikon 200-500mm. The Jr 3 product number is BWG-J3K . The Jr3 can be used as a side mount too by removing the gimbal arm. If you have an interest, Call Jobu to make sure you get the correct model for your lenses and any needed accessory parts.
 
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NorthernFocus said:
Not carbon composite but I got a Jobu J3 specifically to save weight/space for travel. If I remember correctly it's a pound and a half(700g) lighter than the Wimberly 200 and a good bit smaller. One down side is that it does not have the vertical adjustment to perfectly align the lens centerline with the pivot point. I've found the smaller/lighter size to outweigh the downside of less than perfect balance.
Click to expand...
The J3 does have vertical adjustment but not much. It has three sets of holes at the top of the arm and requires hex key to remove screws.
 
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NorthernFocus said:
Not carbon composite but I got a Jobu J3 specifically to save weight/space for travel. If I remember correctly it's a pound and a half(700g) lighter than the Wimberly 200 and a good bit smaller. One down side is that it does not have the vertical adjustment to perfectly align the lens centerline with the pivot point. I've found the smaller/lighter size to outweigh the downside of less than perfect balance.
Click to expand...
The weight looks good, how does it perform in around 0 F weather? I have used some gimbals which became hard to move in the cold weather. Thanks

Oliver
 
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BlackRockArt said:
Hi y'all. I wonder what light weight gimbals you guys use ? I have looked at some of the carbon gimbals , what is your real world experience ? Thanks in advance.

Oliver
Click to expand...
not a true gimbal but the Flexshooter Pro is worth a look. It’s a hybrid between a ball head and a gimbal, and is a good travel option. I know some pros who have ditched their traditional gimbals for the Flexshooter Pro.
 
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BillW said:
I have a RRS gimbal -- well made and big & heavy, so that I have not traveled with it. I bought a FlexShooter Pro head last year. It's something of a hybrid, with both ballhead and gimbal characteristics. Weighs less than my RRS BH-55. On a landscape outing, I'd probably take the BH-55. On a wildlife outing, I'd probably take the FlexShooter Pro.

The FlexShooter Pro works great with my Z9 and 800 mm PF. And on a trip to Bosque, one of the participants used it to hold a D6 and 600 mm f4 lens. So it has the capacity to work with large lenses and bodies. (Seeing him use the FlexShooter Pro caused me to get one to try.)
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Bill, I have the full sized RRS gimbal with cradle, it's a great piece of engineering craft, but takes a lot of space. There's a version II out now, it looks smaller. I hat yet got try it out.

The FlexShooter design is double socket if I understood correctly, I wonder if you can fully lockdown with 600mm lens. Thanks

Oliver
 
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I would agree with the suggestion of trying a Flexshooter Pro to serve as a travel gimbal. I’ve had mine for almost 5 years now and ditched full gimbals soon after getting it.

The main drawback of the Flexshooter is a more limited range of movement. It hasn’t bothered me because I don’t prefer to shoot birds flying directly overhead. Similarly, it doesn’t point straight downwards. The other drawback that I think may bother some is that there is no panning base. So once level, if you try to pan, you may lose your level. To remedy that, I’ve added an RRS lever panning clamp.

The main benefits are of course the smaller size and lighter weight combined with a built-in leveling base. As another posted mentioned above, it can stand in quite well for a ball head, but for serious landscape and maybe macro, a dedicated ball head may be preferable. As for ability to “lock down” with a big lens, I can say with confidence that there is no creep once the ball is locked, even when using a 600mm prime. In fact, I’ve even mounted dual rigs in very windy conditions and was very pleased with the stability of the Flexshooter.

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I also like the Flexshooter Pro. I used it with a gripped Nikon D850 and a 600mm f4g and had no problem locking it down. I also have a Promediagear Katana Jr. which weighs 2.4 pounds. It is a high quality lightweight traditional gimbal. I used to have a Wimberley but prefer the Katana Junior. When it is about the weight and compactness I use the Flexshooter Pro, otherwise I use the Katana Junior. Truth be told I rarely use either as I mostly use the Nikon 500mm pf and shoot hand held. I may use them if I ever receive the 800mm pf I ordered (not NPS).
 
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if you can find one used, Custom Brackets also made a high quality traditional gimbal (they stopped making them). What is really nice about them is that they are strong, lightweight and can be quickly disassembeled into a much smaller package than traditional gimbals.
 
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RecalcitrantRon said:
Depending on the lenses you have, you may be able to use the Wimberly Sidekick with your BH55. Although I'm not sure it saves you any weight.

Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - The Sidekick Gimbal Adapter

Wimberley, Inc is a designer and manufacturer of professional photography equipment
www.tripodhead.com
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I use the Sidekick when I *might* have need for a gimbal, but otherwise use the BH-55 or Arca B1 ballhead. If I know I'm going to be using a gimbal I bring a Benro carbon fiber one, which is reasonably light. I looked at the Flexshooter but since I already have the others the price made me think twice... and not get it.

A note on the Sidekick. It works fine but it doesn't have the silky smooth feel of a real gimbal and with a light lens/body it's kinda of sticky at times (like the OM-1 and 300 f4). The Nikons (Z7/Z9 and 200-400/500PF) are heavy enough to overcome that.
 
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Mitesh said:
I would agree with the suggestion of trying a Flexshooter Pro to serve as a travel gimbal. I’ve had mine for almost 5 years now and ditched full gimbals soon after getting it.

The main drawback of the Flexshooter is a more limited range of movement. It hasn’t bothered me because I don’t prefer to shoot birds flying directly overhead. Similarly, it doesn’t point straight downwards. The other drawback that I think may bother some is that there is no panning base. So once level, if you try to pan, you may lose your level. To remedy that, I’ve added an RRS lever panning clamp.

The main benefits are of course the smaller size and lighter weight combined with a built-in leveling base. As another posted mentioned above, it can stand in quite well for a ball head, but for serious landscape and maybe macro, a dedicated ball head may be preferable. As for ability to “lock down” with a big lens, I can say with confidence that there is no creep once the ball is locked, even when using a 600mm prime. In fact, I’ve even mounted dual rigs in very windy conditions and was very pleased with the stability of the Flexshooter.

View attachment 53346
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Mitesh, love your rig with envy ! This looks like a great set up for wild life, the tripod looks similar to RRS TVC-24L or similar with leg collar.

Oliver
 
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Rookie Roy said:
if you can find one used, Custom Brackets also made a high quality traditional gimbal (they stopped making them). What is really nice about them is that they are strong, lightweight and can be quickly disassembeled into a much smaller package than traditional gimbals.
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Roy, funny you mentioned that. I have Custom Brackets flash holder, but I didn't know they even have the gimbal kits. Thanks

Oliver
 
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We have two alternatives

Flexshooter Pro
Markins Q20i w BV attachments. Converts ball head to something like a monopod head.
 
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Another recommendation for the Jobu for lightness, although it lacks 2 key features, a better choice is the Leofoto; comparisons detailed here

Threads fyi

Gimbal head recommendations

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.
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Ball head vs Gimbal

I don't currently own a Gimbal head and using a nice Ball head with a Nikon 18 - 200mm f5.6 lens. I am seeing a lot of nice Birds in flight, are these taken with a Gimbal head or Ball or something else? If using a Gimbal head, do you find it a pain to carry on an all day outing? Thanks
bcgforums.com bcgforums.com
 
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Patrick M said:
I use the Wimberley Monogimbal weighs in at 0.77 lb / 349 g following Steve’s review

used on a monopod (a leg off my tripod designed for that purpose) as the D7600 & F 200-500 is quite a lump to carry around. Great combo.

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For monopod users, in the same category as the Wimberley Monogimbal, we also have the GT2 Tomahawk.

I have both of them and I must say that the PromediaGear has interesting characteristics:
  • A shift to the central axis which is less than that of the Wimberley
  • An Arca Swiss side attach (in addition to the one on the bottom) that allows it to be mounted on a standard rotule ball (by flipping the rotule ball 90°)
I've replaced the plate delivered with the GT2 (knob version) with an Arca Swiss one, with rapid open/close system and it works perfectly, at least as well as the Wimberley one.
 
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