Ultra lightweight gimbal head? (1 Viewer)

[mikenott]

I am gradually moving to lightweight gear (old age and my arms now drag on ground due to carrying 1Dxii/600 f4 ) but still need to use a tripod from time to time (waiting around, hide shots) - my Gitzo tripod and 4G gimbal head are far too heavy duty and my small ball joint head is too sloppy to use. Does anybody have recommendations for an ultra lightweight/small gimbal head that could support something like an R5 and RF 100-500 type combination?

Many thanks

Michael

 

[Manolito]

I Michael.

I do think that a Gimbal for the R5 and the 100-500 is an overkill. There are some Carbon Fiber Gimbal Heads but with a good designed Ball Head you should be doing great. You will be carrying something smaller and lighter. Even though carbon fiber gimbal heads are lighter (half the weight of the non carbon fiber ones) they will remain bulky due to their design.
I feel your pain, my Wimberley head weights as much as my tripod

 

[Russ P]

Michael, have you considered a monopod topped by a Wimberley MonoGimbal? It would be a much lighter, and less expensive, combo than a tripod and Gimbal.

Russ

 

[mikenott]

Thx for suggestions. I just don't get on with monopods and monogimbal not really suited to tripod. Done some research and my 4G Mongoose 3.6 is still the lightest around at 1.5lb/0.68kg (which is why I bought it), so may have to accept the bulk and benefit from the weight saving. Funny there are no smaller gimbals around though. Will look at "quality" ball heads in case there is something there.

 

[Manolito]

Michael, if you are willing to pay it, most of the RRS ball heads can handle your setup even though they are slightly lighter than your gimbal head.
Have you seen the Acratech GP-SS ball head?

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[dabut101]

Michael have a look at Flex shooter pro not cheap but a ballhead that acts like a gimbal

 

[Steve Gantlett]

I gave up using my Wimberley II for my Canon 7Dii and 800 f5.6 due to the weight years ago, in favour of an Acratech long lens head. It's not as good, but it's a hell of a lot lighter and does the job. www.acratech.net/tripod-heads/long-lens-heads/long-lens-head/

 

[mikenott]

Still looking into this. There isn't an ultra lightweight gimbal head that I can find and the best option (for me!) seems to be the Flexshooter pro mini except it is so expensive (approx. £520). Still looking (and negotiating with the wife ).

 

[Parryman1]

Give Robert Hardy a ring at Lensmaster Tel: 01472 318411 he makes several options including travel gimbal and a single pivot. Have a look at his website www.lensmaster.co.uk
I have the RH2 and it has been brilliant but is quite heavy. The other options may suit your needs. He is very helpful and mine arrived within 2 days. Worth a try and you are buying British

 

[dabut101]

Still looking into this. There isn't an ultra lightweight gimbal head that I can find and the best option (for me!) seems to be the Flexshooter pro mini except it is so expensive (approx. £520). Still looking (and negotiating with the wife ).

If you order direct on website it works out cheaper than that as you pay £360 but then you have to pay import to the carrier £84

 

[Essex Tern]

I probably wouldn’t bother with a tripod and that setup myself, you have up to 6 stops stabilisation and a nice handholdable setup imho. I would only bring a tripod if bringing a scope, and even then can’t remember the last time I actually found a need and attached my camera to it. I use a G9 & 100-400 so equivalent to 800mm, stabilised, handheld easily enough. I do carry my camera in a holster to keep myself handsfree.

 

[mikenott]

I probably wouldn’t bother with a tripod and that setup myself, you have up to 6 stops stabilisation and a nice handholdable setup imho. I would only bring a tripod if bringing a scope, and even then can’t remember the last time I actually found a need and attached my camera to it. I use a G9 & 100-400 so equivalent to 800mm, stabilised, handheld easily enough. I do carry my camera in a holster to keep myself handsfree.

I agree.... mostly! Still spend quite a bit of time (four hours+) in hides and putting it down can lead to missing those moments".

 

[Chrysaetos]

Have been using for years Wimberley Sidekick with very heavy equipment (Canon 500mm L IS USM and EOS bodies with grip) with excellent results. Setup in seconds, all you need is an Arca fitted ballhead able to block and hold the weight of the lens+body (I am using Markins M10) but you only add 1.3 pounds of equipment that you can easily carry in a vest pouch.
Wimberley Professional Photo Gear - The Sidekick Gimbal Adapter

 

[mikenott]

Thanks for all the very helpful advice. Ended up buying a FlexShooter Mini Arca (double ball head) which is 1/3 the weight of my 4GD Mongoose but retains many features of a gimbal head. Link to Flexshooter Mini Arca Not the cheapest option cry:) but having tried it a couple of times I am getting used to it and like it.

I did think about a sidekick type gimbal but even with a horizontal mount - never mind a vertical one - I have had a couple of near misses mounting lenses.

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[Bafty]

Bid late....I would have thought there would be more millage in changing the tripod to a lighter version, personally I find Gitzo's tripods heavy, quality yes but way to heavy for me. I've been using Feisol for the last six years which feels like half the weight of the gitzo equivalent. The Flexshooter being a ballhead isn't really a gimbal, smaller yes but I'm not a fan of the "big white" lens flopping around if don't have ultra long arca swiss plate and setting adjusted near enough with some tension, a gimbal in that respect is far more forgiving.

I would agree in there's some benefit using a tripod even with a R5 & 100-500 for a long shoot in a hide as I do it myself, mono pods don't work in hides, you may as well hold the camera and that doesn't work either

 

[dabut101]

Bid late....I would have thought there would be more millage in changing the tripod to a lighter version, personally I find Gitzo's tripods heavy, quality yes but way to heavy for me. I've been using Feisol for the last six years which feels like half the weight of the gitzo equivalent. The Flexshooter being a ballhead isn't really a gimbal, smaller yes but I'm not a fan of the "big white" lens flopping around if don't have ultra long arca swiss plate and setting adjusted near enough with some tension, a gimbal in that respect is far more forgiving.

I would agree in there's some benefit using a tripod even with a R5 & 100-500 for a long shoot in a hide as I do it myself, mono pods don't work in hides, you may as well hold the camera and that doesn't work either

I suggest you have a look on utube and you will see the flex shooter does not flop about as when outer ball is locked the inner is just like a gimbal with front to rear movement and cannot flop to the side

 

[Bafty]

Sorry I don't agree with that statement having tried it....have you ?

All my lens have replacement feet mainly to eliminate the arca-swiss plate becoming loose, but most or all replacement feet that I know won't work with the likes of Flexshooter as the balance point is so finite hence you need this mega long arca-swiss plate (from Flexshooter) I can drop my big white into the gimbal to a mark and it's balanced instantly 100% of the time, but If FS works for you then fine, just my view after trying.

NB...In fact I've just looked again at AR on YouTube "trying" to setup a Flexshooter...enough said !