Gimbal suggestions for bird photography

[adew1]

Asking here as there are a lot of wildlife photographers in these parts.

My wife is thinking of getting a gimbal for her bird photography. She shoots with OM-1 and 150-400 Pro.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

 

[Quodz]

Tripod or monopod ?

 

[adew1]

Tripod or monopod ?

Oops! Should have clarified. Yes, a gimbal head to use on a tripod.

 

[Trevor Carpenter]

My suggestion is don't. Shooting birds with a tripod even with a gimbal is very restricting. Birds fly and following them is difficult enough without making it almost impossible.

 

[Jappie52]

My suggestion is don't. Shooting birds with a tripod even with a gimbal is very restricting. Birds fly and following them is difficult enough without making it almost impossible.

Have a look a Mike Lane's videos and you'll see a lot can be accomplished when shooting on a tripod.

 

[Trevor Carpenter]

My suggestion is don't. Shooting birds with a tripod even with a gimbal is very restricting. Birds fly and following them is difficult enough without making it almost impossible.

Have a look a Mike Lane's videos and you'll see a lot can be accomplished when shooting on a tripod.

I don't disagree with that statement. It is of course absolutely true but it also true that shooting alongside people with tripods they miss a lot. Nearly all find it difficult to get shots like this.







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[Bobapingu]

Asking here as there are a lot of wildlife photographers in these parts.

My wife is thinking of getting a gimbal for her bird photography. She shoots with OM-1 and 150-400 Pro.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Maybe it's heavier than your wife would like but a tripod and gimbal would severely restrict her to birds that don't move much. You have pretty well the best of the best in terms of image stability. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it hand held. The more you use it hand held, the lighter in gets, believe me and I'm an old guy.

 

[kohinoor]

It is very lightweight, mechanically flawless, easy to use and will carry said gear with ease.
In side mount configuration (without swing arm) it is only 700g.
Nowadays, it is difficult to come by in Europe but you could get it from abroad. I see shops in NL having it. (I assume you are Swiss).
Go for the Jr.3 and not for the "black widow" variant which doesnt allow for side mount!

Above posters are right in that a tripod can be a handicap in some situations but in others in can be of great advantage.

Krüatzi!

 

[adew1]

Asking here as there are a lot of wildlife photographers in these parts.

My wife is thinking of getting a gimbal for her bird photography. She shoots with OM-1 and 150-400 Pro.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Maybe it's heavier than your wife would like but a tripod and gimbal would severely restrict her to birds that don't move much. You have pretty well the best of the best in terms of image stability. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it hand held. The more you use it hand held, the lighter in gets, believe me and I'm an old guy.

Yes, sure, she understands that. This would be more for static situations such as in a portable hide, etc.

 

[adew1]

It is very lightweight, mechanically flawless, easy to use and will carry said gear with ease.
In side mount configuration (without swing arm) it is only 700g.
Nowadays, it is difficult to come by in Europe but you could get it from abroad. I see shops in NL having it. (I assume you are Swiss).
Go for the Jr.3 and not for the "black widow" variant which doesnt allow for side mount!

Above posters are right in that a tripod can be a handicap in some situations but in others in can be of great advantage.

Krüatzi!

Thanks for the suggestion. Will look into that.

 

[number_5]

It is very lightweight, mechanically flawless, easy to use and will carry said gear with ease.
In side mount configuration (without swing arm) it is only 700g.
Nowadays, it is difficult to come by in Europe but you could get it from abroad. I see shops in NL having it. (I assume you are Swiss).
Go for the Jr.3 and not for the "black widow" variant which doesnt allow for side mount!

Above posters are right in that a tripod can be a handicap in some situations but in others in can be of great advantage.

Krüatzi!

Thanks for the suggestion. Will look into that.

I returned the Job Jr 3 and replaced it with DMG-HD4.

You can also have a look at FlexShooter Mini Ball. It's expensive though.

 

[bikerguy]

If she is in a blind why not simply use a tripod with a loose ballhead?

 

[Bobapingu]

Asking here as there are a lot of wildlife photographers in these parts.

My wife is thinking of getting a gimbal for her bird photography. She shoots with OM-1 and 150-400 Pro.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Maybe it's heavier than your wife would like but a tripod and gimbal would severely restrict her to birds that don't move much. You have pretty well the best of the best in terms of image stability. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it hand held. The more you use it hand held, the lighter in gets, believe me and I'm an old guy.

Yes, sure, she understands that. This would be more for static situations such as in a portable hide, etc.

Ah yes, in a hide it would be good. Don't forget the insect repellant. There are few things worse than lining up for the shot of a lifetime and you feel something crawling up your leg

 

[sherman_levine]

I've not used it, but the SpeediGimbal kit looks interesting, in part because the camera lifts off the monopod quickly if needed.

https://amateurphotographer.com/review/the-original-speedigimbal-kit-review/

https://bcgforums.com/threads/speedigimble-for-monopods.31249/

Lots of other reviews if you look. Ships from UK.

Primarily serves to relieve the weight while giving you lots of freedom of movement.

--

Sherm
Sherms flickr page

P950 album

P900 album RX10iv album
OM1.2 150-600 album

 

[Skeeterbytes]

Can't compare to others, but will vouch for the Gitzo gimbal head as very good quality and importantly, free of stiction when moving from a static position. Handles the largest possible m4/3 kit: OM-1ii+HLD10+150-400. Optional pan handle included.





Lots of choices these days.

Happy shopping,

Rick

 

[Bobapingu]

My suggestion is don't. Shooting birds with a tripod even with a gimbal is very restricting. Birds fly and following them is difficult enough without making it almost impossible.

Have a look a Mike Lane's videos and you'll see a lot can be accomplished when shooting on a tripod.

I don't disagree with that statement. It is of course absolutely true but it also true that shooting alongside people with tripods they miss a lot. Nearly all find it difficult to get shots like this.

Or swallows in flight.

 

[jodaco]

I use the Speedigimbal almost every time I go out birding and it’s fantastic. It provides the support I need when waiting on a pro capture opportunity. I can just put the monopod on the ground when I need the quickness of handheld and I’m not as bound to one spot as with a tripod.

Of course you cannot just leave your camera on a monopod and walk away. Nor would I use the Speedigimbal for hours in a hide. But for support while walking about it can’t be beat.

 

[sherman_levine]

I use the Speedigimbal almost every time I go out birding and it’s fantastic. It provides the support I need when waiting on a pro capture opportunity. I can just put the monopod on the ground when I need the quickness of handheld and I’m not as bound to one spot as with a tripod.

Of course you cannot just leave your camera on a monopod and walk away. Nor would I use the Speedigimbal for hours in a hide. But for support while walking about it can’t be beat.

Did you purchase it from a USA site? from UK? Were tariffs a problem?

Thank you

--

Sherm

Sherms flickr page

P950 album

P900 album RX10iv album
OM1.2 150-600 album

 

[jodaco]

I use the Speedigimbal almost every time I go out birding and it’s fantastic. It provides the support I need when waiting on a pro capture opportunity. I can just put the monopod on the ground when I need the quickness of handheld and I’m not as bound to one spot as with a tripod.

Of course you cannot just leave your camera on a monopod and walk away. Nor would I use the Speedigimbal for hours in a hide. But for support while walking about it can’t be beat.

Did you purchase it from a USA site? from UK? Were tariffs a problem?

I purchased direct from UK. I’m not sure if there is another way. It was back in March I think before tariffs. Not sure how that would work now. Does the shipper or the receiver pay the tariff when there is no importer? The price is about $6 higher now than then. Perhaps tariffs are why. You could certainly ask Colin (the inventor). He was extremely friendly and helpful to me.

 

[number_5]

Asking here as there are a lot of wildlife photographers in these parts.

My wife is thinking of getting a gimbal for her bird photography. She shoots with OM-1 and 150-400 Pro.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Maybe it's heavier than your wife would like but a tripod and gimbal would severely restrict her to birds that don't move much. You have pretty well the best of the best in terms of image stability. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it hand held. The more you use it hand held, the lighter in gets, believe me and I'm an old guy.

Yes, sure, she understands that. This would be more for static situations such as in a portable hide, etc.

If that's the case, I use Oben MVH-4490 Mini Video Head (the price jumped from 60 to 100, probably due to tariff) + FLM CP30-L4 II (used).

The video head load is only rated 4.4lb though, but it does work well with my setup (A1 + 300/2.8).