What gimbal head for a 100-400 lens

[superlevure]

Hi all,

I'm usually never using tripods or monopods but recently I've felt the need for it quite badly. This is especially when I need to keep aiming, or wait with my eye near the viewfinder, I simply can't keep holding the camera up forever.

I own a fuji X-H1 with the xf100-400. I'd say the setup is a bit smaller and lighter than a 7d with a Canon 100-400.

I wanted the Gitzo gimbal as it seems like good value for money (surprisingly), but the problem is that it is a bit of an overkill for that kind of system (I think it's really huge).

Whenever I look at other options, lots of other question arise; they simply don't look smaller, they look too cheap, they're unknown brands, etc.

In other words, I've done some research, but can never find some clear answers. I guess it'd be easier if I could look at some gimbals and try them, but it seems there's no such place in London.

Thanks for reading and hopefully things will soon make a bit more sense to me.

 

[Greyser]

Hi all,

I'm usually never using tripods or monopods but recently I've felt the need for it quite badly. This is especially when I need to keep aiming, or wait with my eye near the viewfinder, I simply can't keep holding the camera up forever.

I own a fuji X-H1 with the xf100-400. I'd say the setup is a bit smaller and lighter than a 7d with a Canon 100-400.

I wanted the Gitzo gimbal as it seems like good value for money (surprisingly), but the problem is that it is a bit of an overkill for that kind of system (I think it's really huge).

Whenever I look at other options, lots of other question arise; they simply don't look smaller, they look too cheap, they're unknown brands, etc.

In other words, I've done some research, but can never find some clear answers. I guess it'd be easier if I could look at some gimbals and try them, but it seems there's no such place in London.

Thanks for reading and hopefully things will soon make a bit more sense to me.

I shoot 500/4 handheld mostly, but keep a monopod with me just in case. Instead of full scale gimbal for many years I found to be very convenient using noticeably more portable side kicks. The latest one is Benro GH1P Aluminum Gimbal Head which I found of very good quality

 

[superlevure]

Thanks. I've just looked into those. I would need to find a good ball head to mount it on. I assume the ball head must be a solid one.

 

[Greyser]

Thanks. I've just looked into those. I would need to find a good ball head to mount it on. I assume the ball head must be a solid one.

The Benro does not need a ball head at all. It goes directly on the tripod/monopod. The only thing is: it accepts the lens mount rotated by 90 degrees.

 

[lokatz]

Personally, I'm very happy with the Jobu Jr. 3 Gimbal head - not to heavy, not too pricey and just right for my Nikon D500 with Sigma 100-400 or the slightly-heavier new Nikon 500 PF. Highly recommended.

 

[superlevure]

Personally, I'm very happy with the Jobu Jr. 3 Gimbal head - not to heavy, not too pricey and just right for my Nikon D500 with Sigma 100-400 or the slightly-heavier new Nikon 500 PF. Highly recommended.

It looks really nice, you're right. What tripod do use it with? They don't recommend centre column tripods (all the alternatives are a bit massive!)

 

[superlevure]

Thanks. I've just looked into those. I would need to find a good ball head to mount it on. I assume the ball head must be a solid one.

The Benro does not need a ball head at all. It goes directly on the tripod/monopod. The only thing is: it accepts the lens mount rotated by 90 degrees.

I'm not sure I would use a ball head for anything else, to be honest, so the benro seems to make sense for me.

This is my favourite for a sidekick solution, thanks.

 

[lokatz]

Personally, I'm very happy with the Jobu Jr. 3 Gimbal head - not to heavy, not too pricey and just right for my Nikon D500 with Sigma 100-400 or the slightly-heavier new Nikon 500 PF. Highly recommended.

It looks really nice, you're right. What tripod do use it with? They don't recommend centre column tripods (all the alternatives are a bit massive!)

Actually, I own two center column ones but don't see an issue with either one. I don't think they mean to say "tripod must not have a center column" (which would exclude most of the market) but "do not extend center column when using Gimbal", which makes perfect sense.

 

[Morris0]

Personally, I'm very happy with the Jobu Jr. 3 Gimbal head - not to heavy, not too pricey and just right for my Nikon D500 with Sigma 100-400 or the slightly-heavier new Nikon 500 PF. Highly recommended.

This is the one I use and love it. Make shore to get:
Jobu Design BWG-J3K Junior 3 Gimbal Kit with Swing-arm HM-J2

The 3rd model (Junior 3) corrected a number of issues with the earlier models so look out for old stock by checking the model number carefully.

I use mine on a FEISOL Classic Tripod CT-3401 Rapid which is a very versatile, reliable and reasonably priced carbon fiber tripod. I've owned mine for 10 years. I recently serviced it following the instructions on there site doing a complete clean and lube.

Morris

 

[superlevure]

Personally, I'm very happy with the Jobu Jr. 3 Gimbal head - not to heavy, not too pricey and just right for my Nikon D500 with Sigma 100-400 or the slightly-heavier new Nikon 500 PF. Highly recommended.

This is the one I use and love it. Make shore to get:
Jobu Design BWG-J3K Junior 3 Gimbal Kit with Swing-arm HM-J2

The 3rd model (Junior 3) corrected a number of issues with the earlier models so look out for old stock by checking the model number carefully.

I use mine on a FEISOL Classic Tripod CT-3401 Rapid which is a very versatile, reliable and reasonably priced carbon fiber tripod. I've owned mine for 10 years. I recently serviced it following the instructions on there site doing a complete clean and lube.

Morris

This tripod looks very good, thanks. It doesn't look like it's very common in the UK, I'm going to do some digging.

 

[Morris0]

Personally, I'm very happy with the Jobu Jr. 3 Gimbal head - not to heavy, not too pricey and just right for my Nikon D500 with Sigma 100-400 or the slightly-heavier new Nikon 500 PF. Highly recommended.

This is the one I use and love it. Make shore to get:
Jobu Design BWG-J3K Junior 3 Gimbal Kit with Swing-arm HM-J2

The 3rd model (Junior 3) corrected a number of issues with the earlier models so look out for old stock by checking the model number carefully.

I use mine on a FEISOL Classic Tripod CT-3401 Rapid which is a very versatile, reliable and reasonably priced carbon fiber tripod. I've owned mine for 10 years. I recently serviced it following the instructions on there site doing a complete clean and lube.

Morris

This tripod looks very good, thanks. It doesn't look like it's very common in the UK, I'm going to do some digging.

You can order directly from Japan if you have to and I here they treat customers like gold throwing in extras.

Morris

 

[calson]

For a lightweight 100-400mm lens and camera all one needs is a good ballhead and the Wimberley Sidekick gimbal adapter. I have used the Sidekick with lenses up to 8 lb in weight but the leverage on the ballhead requires a Kirk BH-1 or RRS BH-40 or the equivalent. No such worries with a 100-400mm lens weighing under 4 lbs.

With the Sidekick setup it takes only seconds to remove it and again have a ballhead for macro, landscape, panos, etc. and this is much preferable to carrying around two heads in the field. The only drawback is that the lens foot is supported from the side and when I tried the Sigma 150-600mm Sport lens the foot had been designed to be at the 6 o'clock position. Not as much a problem with the Sidekick as with the Sigma Sport lens design with its non-removable collar and poor foot design.

With my 600mm f/4 lens i have been using a gimbal head but I am planning on buying a float blind and to get the lens lower to the water and for that I will be going back to using only the Kirk BH-1 ballhead.