Nikon 180-600mm - gimbal head needed?

[utterdrong]

Hi, looking for some advice about long lens support. I've never used a longer lens than my old 300mm f4D, so I don't really have a good handle on how long a lens can get before you start needing a gimbal head. Looking at the Nikon 180-600mm, I'm not sure where it falls - it's much lighter and smaller than the huge telephoto primes I see people usually using gimbals for, but it's still heavier and longer than anything I've ever used myself.

Anyone have any experience with it either way? Or what about halfway options like Acratech GXP gimbal mode or Flexshooter heads, are those worth considering?

Thanks.

 

[lehill]

Hi, looking for some advice about long lens support. I've never used a longer lens than my old 300mm f4D, so I don't really have a good handle on how long a lens can get before you start needing a gimbal head. Looking at the Nikon 180-600mm, I'm not sure where it falls - it's much lighter and smaller than the huge telephoto primes I see people usually using gimbals for, but it's still heavier and longer than anything I've ever used myself.

Anyone have any experience with it either way? Or what about halfway options like Acratech GXP gimbal mode or Flexshooter heads, are those worth considering?

Thanks.

Your 300mm f/4D weighs 1440 g.

The Nikon 180-600mm Z weighs 2140 g. That is about the same as any similar lens (Tamon/Sigma 150-600 mm, Sony 200-600 mm, Canon 200-800 mm, etc). Whether you need support is largely up to you. "Support" doesn't have to mean a gimbal.

At my local nature preserve, we're free to roam the fields or wooded areas so carrying around a gimbal head on a tripod is an impediment. We may see something at eye level one moment, then something overhead the next.

I handhold my Sony 200-600mm. What I see are other people with ~2000 g lenses handholding them too. Some use a monopod, occasionally I'll see someone with a tripod + ball head. I've tried bringing my monopod once or twice, but it gets in the way when maneuvering through thick brush.

--
Lance H

 

[number_5]

When I was using the Sony FF, I handheld 200-600 and 600/4, and once in a while, tripod with gamble and then Flexshooter. I don't recall seeing many use a tripod with the 200-600 (about the same weight as 180-600) except for videos.

The Flexshooter is spring loaded and needs the weight to make it work as a gamble. I only used it with the 600 and not the 200-600, but someone mentioned the Oly 150-400 is heavy enough (about the same weight). YMMV.

My dad, who's in his early 80's, carry his Z9 +180-600 on a monopod.