Travel Gimbals

[BlackRockArt]

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.

Phillipe, when you say "a shift to the central axis,... " do you mean the center of the gravity ? I looked at the Tomahawk before but wasn't sure if the side mount would hold 640 lens.

The Sony 640 itself weighs 3040 grams, the A1 body weighs 737grams, the total weight is 3777 grams, would the set up wobble if I pan side ways?

Thanks.

Oliver

 

[PhD69]

Phillipe, when you say "a shift to the central axis,... " do you mean the center of the gravity ? I looked at the Tomahawk before but wasn't sure if the side mount would hold 640 lens.

The Sony 640 itself weighs 3040 grams, the A1 body weighs 737grams, the total weight is 3777 grams, would the set up wobble if I pan side ways?

Thanks.

Oliver

I’m talking about the distance between the 2 red lines of the photograph below.
The left one is the surface of the plate (where you attach the foot of the lens) and the right one is the monopod axis.
This distance is greater on Wimberley’s head. This further distances the lens from the monopod axis.

Regarding the capacity of the ProMediaGear, it is given for 22 kgs. Well beyond the weight of the heaviest combo (camera + lens).

The point of attention is when you mount the lens on the head, but this is valid for Wimberley as well and for any mounting of a big lens on a ball head.

I hope it helps

 

[fcotterill]

There are very few gimbals can adjust the vertical axis. The only model I've seen is a Fotopro E9H. I doubt it's worth the price.

Anyway the 2 most important points to adjust is the position ie balance point of the Telephoto rig in the cradle, and the hieght relative to the horizontal axis, which needs vertical adjustment.

How To Properly Balance A Gimbal Head - Backcountry Gallery

“Hey! You’re doing it wrong!” That’s what I want to shout pretty much every time I’m out and spot other wildlife photographers with gimbal heads. It seems that well over half of them believe they have their gimbal properly balanced when they really don’t. It’s a shame too – a properly balanced...

backcountrygallery.com

However, I was disappointed in the Fotopro E6; besides the high price, it has big design faults. These cost me a lot to fix with better parts (link in my post above). The bearings it uses always have some residual friction, unlike those in better quality models.

 

[BillW]

There are very few gimbals can adjust the vertical axis. The only model I've seen is a Fotopro E9H. I doubt it's worth the price.

Anyway the 2 most important points to adjust is the position ie balance point of the Telephoto rig in the cradle, and the hieght relative to the horizontal axis.

How To Properly Balance A Gimbal Head - Backcountry Gallery

“Hey! You’re doing it wrong!” That’s what I want to shout pretty much every time I’m out and spot other wildlife photographers with gimbal heads. It seems that well over half of them believe they have their gimbal properly balanced when they really don’t. It’s a shame too – a properly balanced...

backcountrygallery.com

However, I was disappointed in the Fotopro E6: high price but design faults. These cost me a lot to fix with better parts (link in my post above). The bearing design always have some residual friction, unlike those in better quality models.

I have a RRS PG-02 Mark I that allows vertical adjustment. It’s heavy and expensive, but beautifully made. Given its weight/size, I have not taken it along when traveling. RRS stopped making it a while back, but I noticed that there is a new Mark II version. Not sure that the vertical adjustment would be needed for most wildlife use. Probably more for multi-row panos.

 

[BarkingBeans Coffee]

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.

FYI the ProMediaGear doesn't work with an Z9 and probably other gripped cameras. I had to return the one I ordered.

 

[Dave Douglass]

I too use, and love the Wimberley mono gimbal on Steve Perry's recommendation (always gives great advice). It's compact and it works great. No complaints.

 

[jadewolf]

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.

bcgforums.com

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

Seconding the Leofoto. That's what I have and I love mine. Yes, it's a knockoff of the ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro, but it's about .2 pounds lighter. (total weight 2.2 lbs) And mine has stood up to some abuse, for sure. It's been rained on, dropped, exposed to volcanic gases and sea spray, bit by the puppy, etc. Still works flawlessly. I fly with it, too, no problem.

My only complaint is I wish they offered it in a lever clamp, because screw clamps are hard for me on bad joint flare-up days. But otherwise, it's perfect.

 

[BarkingBeans Coffee]

Yes, it's a knockoff of the ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro

This is why I don't buy from them. I have almost pulled the trigger so many times, but then my conscious got to me.

 

[jadewolf]

This is why I don't buy from them. I have almost pulled the trigger so many times, but then my conscious got to me.

Fair enough!

I got mine on sale for about $300 less than the ProMediaGear, which was a big deal to me at the time. And Leofoto offered it in a matte camo color, which I liked better than the glossy black and bright red or green options on the Katana. And, probably the biggest seller for me... the main knobs are have big, deep finger grooves, which is easier for my bad finger joints than the round ones on the Katana. I generally try to buy American-made if possible, but this time the numbers just stacked up in favor of the Leofoto.

 

[Rookie Roy]

FYI the ProMediaGear doesn't work with an Z9 and probably other gripped cameras. I had to return the one I ordered.

Please explain. Do you mean it wont work connecting it to the camera or to the lens?

 

[BarkingBeans Coffee]

Please explain. Do you mean it wont work connecting it to the camera or to the lens?

It connects but as I recall you can't really swing the camera much as the battery grip hits the gimbal. I am only speaking of the JR, and not the full size one.

 

[Steve W]

It connects but as I recall you can't really swing the camera much as the battery grip hits the gimbal. I am only speaking of the JR, and not the full size one.

That’s one of the problems with gimbals. You need to choose one to suit your rig, one with enough distance between the mount and the horizontal pivot to provide enough clearance for large bodies (i.e D5/6) or those with a grip. This is reason I chose Sirui PH-30 over the Jobu jnr.

 

[BlackRockArt]

I’m talking about the distance between the 2 red lines of the photograph below.
The left one is the surface of the plate (where you attach the foot of the lens) and the right one is the monopod axis.
This distance is greater on Wimberley’s head. This further distances the lens from the monopod axis.

Regarding the capacity of the ProMediaGear, it is given for 22 kgs. Well beyond the weight of the heaviest combo (camera + lens).

The point of attention is when you mount the lens on the head, but this is valid for Wimberley as well and for any mounting of a big lens on a ball head.

I hope it helps

View attachment 53434

Phillipe, thank you so much for taking time to explain to me. You are right, this is the reason, on many occasions, I still take the Really Right Stuff PG-02, even it's heavy, bulky. I guess on the lighter tele photo lens, the vertical is fine.

Oliver

 

[BlackRockArt]

I have a RRS PG-02 Mark I that allows vertical adjustment. It’s heavy and expensive, but beautifully made. Given its weight/size, I have not taken it along when traveling. RRS stopped making it a while back, but I noticed that there is a new Mark II version. Not sure that the vertical adjustment would be needed for most wildlife use. Probably more for multi-row panos.

Bill, I am very tempted to pull the trigger on the PG-02 mark II; given the quality of its line of products; for wildlife, if I really need to get down low, I will get the the Shortie-Fattie.

The vertical adjustment is not used very often, but on occasions when I shoot planetary astro, it's a must.

Oliver

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[Rookie Roy]

It connects but as I recall you can't really swing the camera much as the battery grip hits the gimbal. I am only speaking of the JR, and not the full size one.

Thank you for explaining. I don’t recall that problem but I have to admit I have not used it very much. When I use a gimbal it is mostly the Flexshooter Pro.

 

[BlackRockArt]

Seconding the Leofoto. That's what I have and I love mine. Yes, it's a knockoff of the ProMediaGear GKJr Katana Pro, but it's about .2 pounds lighter. (total weight 2.2 lbs) And mine has stood up to some abuse, for sure. It's been rained on, dropped, exposed to volcanic gases and sea spray, bit by the puppy, etc. Still works flawlessly. I fly with it, too, no problem.

My only complaint is I wish they offered it in a lever clamp, because screw clamps are hard for me on bad joint flare-up days. But otherwise, it's perfect.

Laurel, I think Leofoto copied some of the ProMediaGear designs and improved on some aspects, somehow it shaves of 200grams weight. I have yet to see the long term review. The large groved knob definitely helps though.

Oliver

 

[tigger4t]

I use the Wimberley Monogimbal if I'm just using a monopod but if I need my travel tripod and ball-head for landscapes I also pack the Movo GH400 Hybrid Gimbal which is very light

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[MikeInMI]

I did a lot of research before buying a Benro Gimbal and have been very happy with it. But recently, when travelling by air to do some wildlife photography, I picked up a Flexshooter Pro. Smaller/lighter was important. I used it for three full days of intense BIF shooting and was very happy with it. I’ll be going to Costa Rica in March and will take the Flexshooter Pro instead of a Gimbal and ball head. I still haven’t decided yet if I will sell the Benro, but I am thinking about it.

 

[Butlerkid]

Interesting blog and video by Arthur Morris HERE on the FlexShooter Pro............

 

[Calson]

For travel I use a Custom Brackets gimbal as it can be broken down to 3 pieces without tools and then reassembled at my destination. It is also relatively unique in having a flip down lever (Zinelli Carbonzx als has this feature) that keeps the gimbal from flopping down when the camera is removed from a telephoto lens when adding or removing a teleconverter. No worries about forgetting to cinch down the gimbal beforehand. The Custom Brackets also has sufficient vertical range to properly align the lens so its center of gravity is right at the pivot point of the gimbal.

I plan to switch over to my Sachtler Ace XL video head for future trips that works well with my new Robus RC-5570 tripod with its 75mm bowl mount option. The Sachtler head is usable with the lighter weight of the 800mm PF lens and so no need for a gimbal head.

 

[O]

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

View attachment 53335

I have the following,

Wimberley WH-200 II Gimbal Tripod Head, i use this for all day dedicated shoots, not for travel, i got it $400 AUD used, totally as new still in box.​

Wimberley MH-100 Mono Gimbal Head for Mono Pod Tri Pod For Travel and Hiking, was a gift.

Benro GH1 p for Mono Pod TRI Pod For Travel and hiking.
The Benro i picked up ages ago at 50% off closing camera shop liquidation sale.

With all these kind of things if you wait look and pounce you can get them dirt cheap used when people make a purchase mistake.

With the MH 100 and GH1p i always attach a small strong but fine safety cord to the camera/lens.


I use the Mh100 more than anything else, its brilliant, especially when you get used to it.

Only an opinion

 

[Neil H.]

Hi!
Have look at one of Art Morris's videos on the Flexshooter Pro.

If you do a search in Youtube there is also a rather long 17 min video. I have a very heavy gripped D850+1.4 TC with a RRS L-bracket which is very back heavy. However with a long lens plate it balances perfectly on the Flexshooter Pro MINI even with my 500pf lens. I can take the long lens off and put any zoom or 14mm astro lens or macro lens straight on without any need to reorientate anything. So if you are set up for bird photography at dawn or dusk and cracking sunrise/ sunset appears it is seconds to change the lens. Also, insects like dragonflies can be docile on cool mornings, so the macro lens can be popped on just as quickly.

 

[Jo Wuori]

Does the Flexshooter Mini make sense for some - only 1lb.

Yes-- I use the Flexshooter mini on my OM-1 and 150-400 lens. It is lightweight but works great!

 

[Nimi]

Bill, I am very tempted to pull the trigger on the PG-02 mark II; given the quality of its line of products; for wildlife, if I really need to get down low, I will get the the Shortie-Fattie.

The vertical adjustment is not used very often, but on occasions when I shoot planetary astro, it's a must.

Oliver

View attachment 53446

I have the RRS, bought a Sidekick to save space and instantly regretted it. I'm sure the Mk 2 exceeds what I have.

 

[John_DE]

From this discussion thread I learned about the FlexShooter. Found a like-new FlexShooter mini in B&H’s used department. Bought it and have it now on my travel tripod. So far, so good. A lightweight and small solution for travel.