Gimbal tripod heads

[mysteryman44]

Hello, I have a manfrotto tripod one that is fairly sturdy. It has a quick release lever for putting on a camera with a small metal plate that screws onto the camera. Are the better gumball tripod heads better or easier to use. How would this attach onto my manfrotto tripod. Thank you for the advice.

 

[john isaacs]

Hello, I have a manfrotto tripod one that is fairly sturdy. It has a quick release lever for putting on a camera with a small metal plate that screws onto the camera. Are the better gumball tripod heads better or easier to use. How would this attach onto my manfrotto tripod. Thank you for the advice.

The gimbal head screws onto the tripod just like you ball head.

The real question is how do you mount the camera on a gimbal head. These are designed for using telephoto lenses with lens feet that are Arca compatible, or have an Arca plate attached.

With a camera that has a normal lens (one that does not have a tripod mount foot), you need to put an Arca plate on the bottom of the camera and then use a Nodal Rail Slide that mounts on the gimbal and to which you mount the camera.

To balance the camera on the gimbal head, you will need to get it very close. To offset it so you can do so you will need a long Arca plate for the bottom of the camera. I use custom Arca base plates on my cameras, and can slide the camera away from the gimbal arm so I can position it offset and away from the gimbal arm.

 

[mysteryman44]

Ok, I kinda get a more idea I have seen those long plates. Thank you for the reply. I am rather new to this.

 

[LenRivers]

Ok, I kinda get a more idea I have seen those long plates. Thank you for the reply. I am rather new to this.

Have a look on YouTube for what you are looking for.
I happen to have a Promedia gear Jr gimbal head

 

[CameraCarl]

But keep in mind that most Manfrotto tripod heads have proprietary plates which are not compatible with most other Arca-Swiss flat beveled rectangular plates. You will likely need to remove whatever head you now have, buy a gimbal head, and mount it to the tripod. Then you will need a different plate when you use the gimbal than you use with the Manfrotto head.

 

[mysteryman44]

Ok, Thanks

 

[mysteryman44]

Ok, I have a square quick release plate on it now, but not sure how to remove it off the tripod It has a lever to fashion the camera on top.

 

[Craig Gillette]

A few Manfrottos tripods have fixed heads. Generally the tripod legs will be joined at a flat plate and there is a threaded lug on this plate. some have a center post which can be raised, too. This would have the threaded stud on the end or ends to allow positioning close to the ground, too.

Usually the tripod head is just screwed tightly onto the top plates. Look closely at the bottom of the head or from below to the plate. There can be hex set screws used to tighten the head/plate connection to prevent accidental unscrewing. If present, loosen the set screws, if not, tighten the pan "lock," then carefully twist to the right (counterclockwise if looking down from the top). It can take a fair amount of force sometimes.

 

[mysteryman44]

Ok, I will look into that, You were helpful. Thank you.

 

[stevevp]

Steve Parry has some useful videos on gimbal heads:

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www.youtube.com

They're a few years old but still relevant.