Which gimbal head for BIF?

[nitsch]

I'm trying to decide between the Kirk King Cobra and Manfrotto 393 (Bogen 3241) heads for shooting birds in flight with 300 2.8 IS + 1DMkII sometimes with TC's.

I normally like to shoot handheld but there are the occasions when it's nice to use the tripod and a ball head just doesn't cut it for BIF. In case it matters my legs are 055PROB's.

I know the King Cobra and 393 are very different solutions but ignoring size/weight/cost which would actually work best with my setup? I've used the 393 with a Sigma 300-800 and was very impressed, I have never used the Kirk model though.

[ed rader]

I'm trying to decide between the Kirk King Cobra and Manfrotto 323 (Bogen 3241) heads for shooting birds in flight with 300 2.8 IS + 1DMkII sometimes with TC's.

I normally like to shoot handheld but there are the occasions when it's nice to use the tripod and a ball head just doesn't cut it for BIF. In case it matters my legs are 055PROB's.

I know the King Cobra and 323 are very different solutions but ignoring size/weight/cost which would actually work best with my setup? I've used the 323 with a Sigma 300-800 and was very impressed, I have never used the Kirk model though.


if it's an occasional thing what about a sidekick?....that would be my choice :D.

ed rader

[nitsch]

if it's an occasional thing what about a sidekick?....that would be my choice :D.

ed rader

Cheers Ed I do like the look of the sidekick however... I've got the opportunity to get either the Kirk or Manfrotto relatively cheaply and also my existing ball head isn't compatible with the sidekick so that would add further to the expense.

[scot079]

I've got the full Wimberley and it's harder to shoot BIF using it as opposed to handheld. Man up and heave that tiny lens!:lol:

[nitsch]

I've got the full Wimberley and it's harder to shoot BIF using it as opposed to handheld. Man up and heave that tiny lens!:lol:

Hehe! To be fair I normally shoot handheld and all my BIF's to date have been handheld - I guess I just want to try shooting with a gimbal head to see if it suits my shooting style.

I was hoping that someone on here might have direct experience with either or even both of the heads I'm considering and help to sway my decision one way or another.

[scot079]

Sorry I don't have experience with those particular heads. But if i may make a suggestion: Not sure which ballhead you have but for a while when I had the 300 I would loosen all the knobs on the ballhead (488RC2) and tip the ball all the way over to one side into that little notch that normally is used for "portrait" orientation. If you keep the knobs loose you get the function of a gimbal without the stability of course since your big lens is hanging off to the side of the tripod.

Anyways, that's my limited experience, take it with a grain of salt. :-) Sorry I can't be of help with the heads you're asking about

[nitsch]

Thanks for your help Tim. FWIW I decided to go for the Manfrotto head in the end, I put it through it's paces earlier this week shooting Red Kites and am very pleased with my choice.

[RPCrowe]

Best darn head on the market... I LOVE mine...

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/manfrotto_393/393_1.html

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone

[nitsch]

Best darn head on the market... I LOVE mine...

http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/manfrotto_393/393_1.html

http://www.pbase.com/liquidstone

Well if it's good enough for Romy... :D

As I said, I'm very pleased with it so far and for the price I'm sure it can't be beat.