Gimbal recommendation

Hi,

I am looking for a inexpensive gimbal. Can anyone recommend one? I am looking at Movo GH700 and Manfrotto 3421 Long Lens Bracket. Does anyone have any experience with Movo GH700 and Manfrotto 3421 Long Lens Bracket?

thanks

I have a carbon fiber gimal made by Nest that works quite well. I may be selling it if you were interested. The only reason for me selling is I'm going to run with a ball head instead.

For what lens?

Based some recommendations in a recent thread, I finally gave up on a full gimbal, and bought a Wimberley Sidekick to support my long lens, a 150-600mm.

Couldn't be happier - it's a good match! And, I can quickly convert back to the ball head. Really quickly!

I used to use the Manfrotto 393 which was OK and now use a Wimberley 2 for my large lens and a Lensmaster RH1 for smaller lenses.

Which head is best depends on what lens/lenses you intend to use - let us know so we have a better idea of what you need, usage would be good to know too.

I just got the Sigma 150-600 C lens. Also, I will be using it for 70-200.

Here's the thread that moved my considerations from gimbal to sidekick:
https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1472625

And I'm happy I made the switch before purchase!

Currently, I have markins ballhead and I am happy with it. My friend told me that a gimbal is better for long lens. What is your experience with the Lensmaster RH1? Do you like it and how it compare to Wimberley 2?

Also, I have a Gitzo 2531 tripod. I am hoping that will be sufficient for the that setup.

Well when I take my 300 F2.8 + 2 x Mk3 extender + 1DX/7D2 out to play it is mounted on my Gitzo GT2531 and I use the Lensmaster RH1 head so you can guess my opinion

Is this the best possible combination? Probably not but it is very workable and does the job just fine! A 3/4 series Gitzo would be better, as would a Wimberley head (a Gitzo 4 series + Wimberley is what I use for my 800mm) but do you want to spend and carry this much?

The GT2531 performs way above it's specification so, unless you want the very best, I would stick with it. Whilst not ideal it will do a more than passable job with my 800mm - a 3 or 4 (5?) series is definitely better but they are bigger and heavier. One way that you can get an immediate improvement is to remove the center column. Using the "Low Level" features makes this tripod more rigid.

The Lensmaster RH1 is cheap and cheerful but solidly built and well up to the 4.5 kilo loads that I put on mine - it is also about half the weight of my Wimberley 2 and 1/4 the price. In other words it is a great "Bang for your Buck" head. I have not used the Sidekick so I can't comment on it.

There are many head options out there but, having tried quite a number, I am happy with my RH1 - they come with 2 QR plates too.

chenga732 wrote in post #18263174
Currently, I have markins ballhead and I am happy with it. My friend told me that a gimbal is better for long lens. What is your experience with the Lensmaster RH1? Do you like it and how it compare to Wimberley 2?

A sidekick with a Markins ballhead is a match made in photo heaven.

For really inexpensive see this:

http://www.ebay.com …d=82&chn=ps&ul_​noapp=true

I use one, and have been satisfied with it, although I only use it a few days a year. They're made in China by Beike, but also sold under other names, including at one time Induro. Most of the ones on Ebay are shipped from China, but the one I purachased was from NY. I think they're sold on Amazon under another name.

I looked at a lot of reviews of this before purchasing it, and the main downside is that they can be very stiff at first. Mine was. I found no reports of structural failure, or anything else that would put your equipment at risk.

I use it with a 400/5.6. It works fine with this lens, and I'm sure it would be with your Sigma as well. I've personally seen it used with Nikon & Canon 600mm lenses.

As I said, I use it infrequently, as I normally hand hold or use a monopod. If I were using a tripod frequently, and/or using a heavier lens, I'd upgrade to a better head, but this has served my purpose well.

That looks like the one I have and I have no complaints with it I finally replaced my monopod head on my monopod with it and it really works great.

Yup, I also really like my Wimberley Sidekick on a Sirui K30X ballhead.
Works great for bird photography and tennis photography.

I use it with my EF 100-400 II

I use one of these "cheapies" also. Use it on a monopod with a gripped 7d with a 70-200 lens. Have some shoulder and back issues. Really takes a load off! Helps things stay steady. Not really what I wanted but it is working out well for the money. Use it a couple times a month. I think I've had it for 2 years.

Got a Wimberley Sidekick on a Markins ballhead and a Gitzo 3 series myself. Works awesome with my 100-400L.