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I was in Colombia for 3 weeks in May and for the first time took the FlexShooter Pro on a trip instead of a gimbal. I took it primarily for its compactness, making it much easier to carry my tripod on the side of my pack with the FlexShooter mounted as opposed to needing to carry the gimbal separately. In short I loved it—it did exactly what I wanted it to. Shot the Z9 and 800mm PF on it, including in challenging terrain after difficult hikes to photograph both Harpy and Ornate Hawk-Eagles. While I think a quality gimbal is overall a bit better for heavier lenses, in terms of ease and stability, the FlexShooter is a close second. And for me its advantages for travel far outweigh its minor shortcomings. I won’t take a significant international trip without it again.
I agree the Pro is a bit stiff for smaller lenses. Still works, for example, at the typical perch locations at many lodges in Colombia. But in more challenging, uneven terrain the Pro is more difficult to use with lighter lenses. But in those situations I am often handholding anyway if using a lighter lens.
I agree with everything Dave said and looking back, I wish I had purchased the Mini instead of the pro as I’m gradually downsizing my equipment.There have been a number of Flexshooter threads on the forums, you might try entering Flexshooter into the Search box on top of the page.
Here's some of those threads:
Flexshooter Pro Head
I recently learned about the Flexshooter Pro tripod head, which supposedly provides similar functions as both gimbal and ball heads, in a very small package. I watched an online demonstration of someone using the Flexshooter Pro with a Nikon D850 and 600mm f4 lens, and it seemed to work smoothly...Flexshooter Pro for Mammals and Landscape?
For the last three or four years, I have been using a RRS BH-40 primarily for landscapes. I love everything about it but I want to add a leveling base to make panoramas easier. Within the last year or so, I have been getting into the wildlife side. Target subjects tend to be Mountain Goats...Best travel tripod/gimbal setup?
I'm going on some bird trips this year and need help choosing the best travel tripod with lightweight gimbal head set up for my Sony A1 with 200-600. Closer to home I use a monopod and Wimberly head. I have a fine RRS tripod with gimbal head - but it's too heavy to carry more than a short...
That said, I picked up a Flexshooter Pro a while ago and after several decades shooting full sized Wimberly gimbal mounts I sold my WH-200 as I find the Flexshooter gets the job done in a much more compact package that's easier to deal with when traveling.
Flexshooter Pros:
- Smaller, more compact and provides the same constrained pan and tilt with no risk of lateral ballhead flop just like a gimbal head
- Built in leveling base (outer ball)
Flexshooter Cons:
- A bit more friction when panning or tilting compared to a well balanced gimbal head though I find I can still pan and tilt with a light 'one finger' touch
- More limited for extreme up or down angle tilts compared to a good gimbal head
In my experience the Flexshooter Pro is great for use with heavy long lenses like the 500mm and 600mm f/4 lenses and decent with some smaller lenses but by the time I get down to something like the 500mm PF with a Z6/Z7/Z8 style camera body I find the Flexshooter Pro is a bit stiff for such a light setup. The Flexshooter Mini is probably more suitable for lighter and smaller camera and lens setups but I have no hands on experience with the mini version.
@DougC and @DRwyoming why do you think the mini will work better with lighter lens? Aren't the mechanics similar, yet in a smaller, lighter package?
I haven't owned the mini but as I understand it the friction settings are designed towards lighter lens setups. You have a friction adjustment knob on the pro model but as you open it up towards less friction you reach a point where it seems like all friction just goes away which is about the range where I'd want it set for lighter gear. It's my understanding that the mini gives you better friction control in this part of the adjustment range but isn't as great for heavier setups.
Agreed.
@Garfield this is valuable feedback as I don't have big glass and would only have access if rented or shared so "in a pinch" is great.
There are many aftermarket plates where one or both mounting screws are in a sliding track so you can adjust for any spacing. All you need is a common and inexpensive 3/8 to 1/4 inch socket adapter to use a plate with two 1/4 inch machine screws on a lens foot that has one 3/8” threaded socket.
I don’t think anybody will disagree that a gimbal is probably ‘better’…but it’s also a lot heavier and bigger and in many cases better is the enemy of good enough. For me…I wanted a single tripod head as I dont use one that often…and the FlexShooter Promprobides all of the ball head advantages and 90% of the gimbal lenses for anything up to and including the size/weight of a 500PF…and since I’m not interested in another $1000 head that will get used a couple of times per year…I’ll settle for good enough.
promediagear.com
I'm interested too - I've used the Wimberly for many years and now looking for something lighter and more practical ..
The Pro is a little stiff with a light lens. Yes you can adjust the tension, but it still does not hold an extreme position as well as it does with a heavier lens. You used a 200-600 lens which is heavy enough for the Pro to function well; try it with a 24-120 and things are a bit different. Workable, but not as flexible.
I have the mini and use it with a gripped D850 with 500pf+1.4TC. This is a very back heavy set-up and requires a long lens foot to balance. Alas the RRS replacement foot for the 500pf does not have enough behind the foot to balance. I have posted on this several times in different forums with images to illustrate. With the longer foot the mini is fine for the afore mentioned set-up.There have been a number of Flexshooter threads on the forums, you might try entering Flexshooter into the Search box on top of the page.
Here's some of those threads:
Flexshooter Pro Head
I recently learned about the Flexshooter Pro tripod head, which supposedly provides similar functions as both gimbal and ball heads, in a very small package. I watched an online demonstration of someone using the Flexshooter Pro with a Nikon D850 and 600mm f4 lens, and it seemed to work smoothly...Flexshooter Pro for Mammals and Landscape?
For the last three or four years, I have been using a RRS BH-40 primarily for landscapes. I love everything about it but I want to add a leveling base to make panoramas easier. Within the last year or so, I have been getting into the wildlife side. Target subjects tend to be Mountain Goats...Best travel tripod/gimbal setup?
I'm going on some bird trips this year and need help choosing the best travel tripod with lightweight gimbal head set up for my Sony A1 with 200-600. Closer to home I use a monopod and Wimberly head. I have a fine RRS tripod with gimbal head - but it's too heavy to carry more than a short...
That said, I picked up a Flexshooter Pro a while ago and after several decades shooting full sized Wimberly gimbal mounts I sold my WH-200 as I find the Flexshooter gets the job done in a much more compact package that's easier to deal with when traveling.
Flexshooter Pros:
- Smaller, more compact and provides the same constrained pan and tilt with no risk of lateral ballhead flop just like a gimbal head
- Built in leveling base (outer ball)
Flexshooter Cons:
- A bit more friction when panning or tilting compared to a well balanced gimbal head though I find I can still pan and tilt with a light 'one finger' touch
- More limited for extreme up or down angle tilts compared to a good gimbal head
In my experience the Flexshooter Pro is great for use with heavy long lenses like the 500mm and 600mm f/4 lenses and decent with some smaller lenses but by the time I get down to something like the 500mm PF with a Z6/Z7/Z8 style camera body I find the Flexshooter Pro is a bit stiff for such a light setup. The Flexshooter Mini is probably more suitable for lighter and smaller camera and lens setups but I have no hands on experience with the mini version.
Sorry, but I don‘t think I really get what you are saying here. I can tell how I use the Flexshooter Pro; I don’t use the Flexshooter the same way when using my 14-30 or 24-70 as my 600 f4. I thighten the inner ball and uses it as a ball head using the big outer ball to adjust my composition. I think it work just as great as any other ballheads I have used. When using my 600mm f4 I level the outer ball and thighten it, and loose up the inner ball and it works (almost) like a gimbal. I agree it is a little stiff with lighter lenses, like my 100-400. It is what it is
Well basically you said exactly what I did. I am not talking about when operating it as a ball head with the outer ball. When used as a gimbal with the 100-400 it is “a little stiff” as you say. What does that mean? It means it will not hold a more extreme angle like it will with a heavier lens (the spring pushes it back towards the neutral position). With the Mini it will hold the position. That’s all I am saying, and it is what it is.Sorry, but I don‘t think I really get what you are saying here. I can tell how I use the Flexshooter Pro; I don’t use the Flexshooter the same way when using my 14-30 or 24-70 as my 600 f4. I thighten the inner ball and uses it as a ball head using the big outer ball to adjust my composition. I think it work just as great as any other ballheads I have used. When using my 600mm f4 I level the outer ball and thighten it, and loose up the inner ball and it works (almost) like a gimbal. I agree it is a little stiff with lighter lenses, like my 100-400. It is what it is
Well there’s no need to be condecending, you wrote «try it with a 24-120 and things are a bit different. Workable, but not as flexible» and as I wrote that’s when you use it as a ball head and I can’t see how this not is as flexible as any other ball head on the market…
I apologize if I was condescending--that was certainly not my intent. We are still talking past each other, so let's just leave it as is. I appreciate your perspective.
