Gimbal tripod head advice needed

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Bill16

Senior Member
Hey everybody! :D

Well I normally follow the idea of buying a better quality item to save me from wishing I bought better later issues. But right now, well that just isn't workable.
So I am hoping you guys or gals can tell me about a cheap cheap gimbal head, that you can still recommend. I want it to help me get good shots of the squirrels we have around here. Needs to be smooth, and to be able to handle the weight of my D300 with battery grip and sporting a Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 D lens.

I'd gladly buy used to get a better gimbal head, if it's cheap cheap and still in good working condition. Cosmetics are not something I'm focusing on, but great working condition is.


Any help will be gladly excepted and appreciated very much. :)
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
Don Kondra said:
Beike BK 45 360° Swivel Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head for Camera Telephoto Lens | eBay

Cheers, Don
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The one that Don Kondra posted is pretty much what I have. It was an Opteka release on Amazon. It's been exactly what I've wanted in a low cost gimbal. The 360degree horizontal swivel is ALMOST perfect (sticks a little for a small range) but not enough to complain about. The vertical swivel works great. Balance is almost spot on and I suspect if I spent more time balancing it I could get it better. Comes with its own mounting plate (that's a plus). The hold/mount is "good enough". There are probably much better systems but I've never really complained about the hold on my D7100 with Tamron 150-600. I liked this gimbal enough to buy its own tripod so I didn't have to swap it out with any other head.

I suspect the original manufacturer sells it to companies like the ebay listing (that Kondra posted) and Opteka and likely others. That $84 listing is the cheapest I've ever seen it listed. I bought mine for a bit over $120.
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
I was looking at a opteka that has a 30lb max rating. I didn't know they were all made by the same company! I'll have to keep this all in mind as I gather up the money needed!
Thanks for the info! :D
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
It was a different question, but your right that it does have some helpful info for this question in it too.
It seems that so far beike or opteka are what I should look at. Before this thread I would have been looking for a higher end brand, and this thread is about very low end but still worth using.

But I appreciate your reminding me of that other thread, since it's also helpful in adding another mention for the Beike brand. :)

Any other brands or listings you'd recommend? You are recommending the Beike in the listing aren't you?

Don Kondra said:
Bill, are you not getting notifications ?

You asked this question recently and was answered here > http://nikonites.com/other-photogra...g-gimble-head-their-tripod.html#axzz3FftMNmyI

Cheers, Don
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Don Kondra

Senior Member
If you are looking for an inexpensive gimbal I would recommend you consider the Beike @ $85 including plate.

Next up would be the Jobu Jr. 3 @ $350.00 plus ~ $60 for a lens plate.

Jobu Jr.3 Gimbal Kit

The Jobu Design gimbal does mention they use roller bearings, the Beike doesn't say.

Cheers, Don
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
I just bought a gimbal that says it a BK 45, like the Beike does. I hope it's a OK gimbal. I thought it was a Beike. It cost $79.90 with free shipping from here in the US.

Don Kondra said:
If you are looking for an inexpensive gimbal I would recommend you consider the Beike @ $85 including plate.

Next up would be the Jobu Jr. 3 @ $350.00 plus ~ $60 for a lens plate.

Jobu Jr.3 Gimbal Kit

The Jobu Design gimbal does mention they use roller bearings, the Beike doesn't say.

Cheers, Don
Click to expand...
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
That looks like the one i have,not tried the tamron on it yet but see no reason for it not to work.

I found i prefered to work with my left hand on the upright for side to side adjustment then my finger and thumb would swing it up and down,this meant i could have it tighter than i could if i was using the camera to adjust the position.
 
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PapaST

Senior Member
mikew said:
That looks like the one i have,not tried the tamron on it yet but see no reason for it not to work.

I found i prefered to work with my left hand on the upright for side to side adjustment then my finger and thumb would swing it up and down,this meant i could have it tighter than i could if i was using the camera to adjust the position.
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Ahhh, that's interesting. If I understand you correctly, you like the upright part of the gimbal on the left side of the camera. And you use your left palm for left right movement (on that upright part) and your left hand fingers to articulate the lens upwards and downwards (manipulating the gimbal "arm"). I'm the exact opposite. I think part of it depends on the lens you are using. My Tamron's tripod collar is in a spot that puts the body far enough from the gimbal as to not get in the way. But if I use my 70-200 2.8 lens the collar might put the body closer to the upright part and therefore not very useful on the right hand side. I don't really know for sure because I haven't really tried it. Either way, I have the gimbal upright on the right side of my camera. I use my right hand on the grip to move up, down, left and right as well as focus and shutter release. That leaves my left hand free to zoom in or out. I guess it doesn't really matter what side it's on though. I just have always set mine up that way.
 
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mikew_RIP

Senior Member
That makes sense.i think i would struggle as i have small hands,the main thing i try to avoid is using the camera as a handle to move the gimble position,i like mine fairly tight on its settings and feel it may put stress on the camera lens mount.
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
Cool! Thanks buddy! :D

mikew said:
That looks like the one i have,not tried the tamron on it yet but see no reason for it not to work.

I found i prefered to work with my left hand on the upright for side to side adjustment then my finger and thumb would swing it up and down,this meant i could have it tighter than i could if i was using the camera to adjust the position.
Click to expand...
 
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Cowleystjames

Senior Member
I have a Redged RC4 Gimbal made from Carbon fibre. Great quality, every bit as good as a Wimberley, but lighter and cheaper.
Will easily handle my 200-400 and D4s. Solid and stable
redged_rgc-4.001_hires.jpg
 
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Bill16

Senior Member
Well I got my Beike's Gimbal head and at first looks it seems great for the price! A bit stiff but not bad and that seem to even be helpful during use, though I don't have any use able photos yet with the day being very cloudy.
I would say a big lens is needed to get the most out of this gimbal, and my nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ed D lens is about the smallest lens I can see me using and still getting full use of the Gimbal. But this is also partly due to my D300 and battery grip being so heavy. A lighter DSLR might work OK with a lighter lens, but I'd still stick to a heavy 300mm prime or bigger. :)

So I'd say that so far this Gimbal head is well worth the $79.90 and I likely won't be upgrading this type of head! But I'm now considering eventually getting a bigger lens to add to my set of lenses, if I ever start getting into any longer range shots.

Also I now think my dreams of sporting both DX and FX model Nikon's is no longer a reasonable option. My D300's will be my chosen Nikon's, and I'll let go of the idea of getting the D700 to go with them. :)

Besides the same amount of money might serve me better being spent on a good lens or lenses! :)
 
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