Gimbal for Nikon 200-500mm

[erik_christensen3]

<p>I have recently got the above lens and have to admit, that I will have to use a monopod as a min.<br>

I will mainly use it for water sports and occasionally for bird, so I was looking for a reasonable price<br>

gimbal f.inst. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GK4IYP8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AJJXN514E694T">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GK ... XN514E694T</a><br>

Anyone with experience of this combo?</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Looks like a Wimberley clone.</p>

[Hector Javkin]

<p>There is a <a href="http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-260328-1.html"><strong>fairly negative review here</strong></a>. You might have to scroll down to see it.</p>

[nigel_farmer]

I recommend a UK company called Lens master, in very

pleased with my gimbal -

http://www.lensmaster.co.uk/index.htm

[erik_christensen3]

<p>Nigel Farmer - it is always a challenge to find a seller, who ship to Vietnam, and Lensmaster said yes<br>

less than 30 min. after I send my question!<br>

Thank you all for your comments.</p>

[Matthew Currie]

<p>I'm not sure I need a gimbal for my 200-500, since the VR is so good, and I find it works pretty well on a plain ball head, but I must say that Lensmaster looks pretty nice, and I just heard that the pound is at an all time low, making the price pretty attractive.</p>

[photo_galleries]

<p>The 200-500mm is not a monster lens, so IMHO, a full gimbal head is overkill. Unless you plan to get one of the large tele primes, I would recommend a good sturdy ballhead (A/S, RRS, Kirk, etc...) and a Wimberley Sidekick.</p>

<p>That's what I have -- an A/S Monoball Z1 DP with a Wimberley Sidekick. That allows flexibility of using the combo for the 200-500mm and the ballhead by itself for other uses.</p>

<p>Alternatively, I've heard good things about the Acratech GV2, which serves a dual purpose as ballhead and gimbal. </p>

[JDMvW]

<p>For the record and future searches, a lower-cost alternative gimbal is the Manfrotto 393 U-shaped mount (e.g., <a href="https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=554099&gclid=CJCqtf6_088CFQc0aQodqjALNg&Q=&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C92051677682%2C&is=REG&A=details">link</a>). I use it on both a monopod and on tripods.</p>

[erik_christensen3]

<p>It may not be a monster lens, but since I am not the youngest in town, it seems that I need one. Lensmaster was also the only seller I found, who would ship to Vietnam, where I am living. So a compromise of recommendation, price and availability for me, I ordered the Lensmaster.<br>

Thank you again for your comments. </p>

[sandeep_kumar10]

I went with Sirui PH-20 for my 500mm F4 PF lens and am happy with it, have had it only for a couple of weeks though, so

please do look up other reviews before you decide.

[2Oceans]

Erik, if it's possible could you give a little feed back on the Lensmaster unit you purchase. Good hunting.

[erik_christensen3]

<p>Sandeep Kumar - I have only heard positive comments on Sirui products, however, this one is more than I am prepare to spent on it.<br>

Edward Woods - I will try to test it as soon as received - weather permitting raining season started - and submit my initial experience.</p>

[Andrew Garrard]

<p>I'm tentatively going off the 393 - which for a gimbal is cheap, but it's pretty big - and also has the disadvantage of having a proprietary Manfrotto QR clamp on it. Since there are now alternatives that don't cost Wimberley money, I'll be interested to know how you get on - a gimbal is only useful if you have it with you, and now I've got rid of my 500mm f/4 AI-P (which was largely useless without it) it's usually just sitting in my study these days. Which is a shame, because a gimbal is a lovely way to use a long lens... (I must remember this if I ever manage to afford that 400 f/2.8.)</p>

[john_narsuitus]

<blockquote>

<p>"... I was looking for a reasonable price gimbal"</p>

</blockquote>

<p> I have no experience with the one you referenced but it looks a lot like my Wimberley gimbal for 1/4th the price.</p>

<p>

<div></div>

[2Oceans]

Erik, the Lensmaster web site reminds

me of the Wimberly site. If they are at

all of the same quality as the "mom and

pop" small business operations in the

US such as Kirk and Wimberly, that

produce lens support I hope they will

make a go of it. I never thought that

Wimberly products were over priced

but are the price of quality and what it

cost to keep a small specialty business

open. The Lensmaster design looks

original and the weight of their head is

less than some but without vertical

adjustments. I look forward to what

you have to say. Good luck.

[sebastianmoran]

<p>I use the Nikkor 200-500 f/5.6 zoom. I like to shoot this lens on a simple monopod for birds and other moving subjects, and I suggest you try this first.. At other times, I do like a gimbal head.</p>

<p><img src="http://2under.net/images/160727-Term-Chick-Nickerson-D723646.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I have, through random fates, a few of these heads.</p>

<p>I have the Wimberly, the class act and the most expensive. The controls are exquisite in the way you can go from locked to slight movement to full movement without wobble. Without the platform tipping to one side. This is the head I used with my 200-500 on a recent trip. The tripod+head+camera+lens is pretty heavy, but otherwise I thought it was absolutely terrific. Mine was a gift (!) and replaced the Induro which I no longer use.</p>

<p>I also have the Induro GHB2 gimbal head. It looks just like the Wimberly, and it is pretty damn good. Priced today at $425 at B&H. If you really push me, maybe I can tell the difference in the quality of the bearings and controls, but it's very close. I think the weight is the same. I bought this one, and used it a bit, it's excess now.</p>

<p>I also just bought the Lens Master. It's a very light gimbal head, inexpensive, and pretty good. It's made of a bent bar of aluminum, not a casting like the two above. Good, but the bearings and controls are nothing like the two above. Mine is the RH-M1, has no rotating base (it's intended for a monopod), and it has the side mount for the lens. I intend to use it with free movement, not locked down except when carrying the rig over my shoulder. My take: If you are going to keep the controls loose, moving the lens to follow subjects, these will be fine. For precise positioning and re-positioning, you might want the brands with better controls.</p>

<p>I've seen the gimbal heads that look like Wimberly/Induro but priced at $120 or so in the US. They look good on the web site. I have no idea whether they have the quality of bearings and controls.</p>

[sebastianmoran]

<p>p.s. All the heads I mentioned have Arca-Swiss quick releases. </p>