Inexpensive Gimbal Head

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Rick M

Senior Member
Fortkentdad said:
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Well my inexpensive gimbal arrived in the post today

Paid 90$ CDN (about $70ish US$), the box was marked $179 so it was seriously discounted.

It is a ballhead adapter "sidekick" style version. This one is not curved like the Induro and Wimberley version instead it is straight up. That has raised questions of balance because the center of gravity for the camera and lens is not square over the center of the tripod. Jobu does sell a $29 adapter for the adapter that moves it over an inch or two. It was not in stock were I bought this one (Lens and Shutter BC Canada), I didn't put one on order. If I think I need it I'll order direct from the manufacturer in Ontario. Yes right on the box "made in Canada" - nice.

First impressions, very well made. Feels very strong. The nobs feel nice and it was easy to set the tension so that the lens stayed were I set it but was very easy to move. A small adjustment and it is fully free flowing. It has "Needle roller bearings" according to the Jobu website for smoothness and it is very smooth indeed. I've attached it to the Benro B0 on my Travel Angel tripod and on a Joby "X" ballhead on my 680B Monopod. Works fine on both. Have to really tighten the ballhead though as there can be a lot of torque that will move the ball if not tightened right down.

Manufacturers webpage for this produce: Jobu Micro Gimbal/Ballhead Adapter

Sadly I did not get to try it out tonight, ended up working late and it was to dark to go shoot birds. And as luck would have it I'm leaving on a trip tomorrow and won't be taking my long lens. Won't get a chance to play with my new toy until I return in a weeks time. But will post an update on how this thing works for this amateur bird shooter.
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Looks good and more portable than the full gimbals!
 
Whiskeyman

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I have a Wemberly 1st generation gimbal head that I got off of eBay. I think i paid about $200 US for it. No way could/would I buy one for the regular retail price!

WM
 
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Fortkentdad

Senior Member
Decided that even though my travel angel tripod seems strong enough I wanted a larger more robust full sized tripod. Bought a Vanguard Alta Pro 253CT at the Imaging Photography Conference in Calgary. Came with a TBH-100 ballhead. Seems much sturdier. I did notice that the ballhead would not open wide enough to accept the plate from my Carry Speed strap. Disappointing - will need to look into why. It says "universal 38mm quick release" - one is not so universal.


worked it a bit more, and although it is very tight to push the quick release plate / carry speed connector onto the ballhead it will go. I'll have to see if it works loose a bit more, or I may need to file down one edge on the carry speed plate, I'd need less than 1mm off to make it slide in. I wonder if the clamp part can be adjusted?

Anyway it does go on after all, just not an easy or quick release.
 
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nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
another to add to the mix. Movo gh700 ordered thru amazon $99.00. Testing, all appears to function as it should. DSC_0317.jpg
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
mikew said:
They have had good write ups on another forum i use,i nearly bought one but opted for a cheaper one :D
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I still haven't used my cheaper one yet. So far I've either managed handheld or with my monopod. The one time I did take it with me my mum ended up using it with her tiny Canon SX510 bridge camera. She was really struggling to get sharp shots in poor light so I let her use it, talk about overkill!

I may take my new tripod and gimbal to a fox earth tomorrow as I know I'll be sitting in one place waiting for a while.
 
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