I don't need this for any of the big whites, but would appreciate any insight on whether this would be worthwhile. I currently have a Benro A198 tripod with a Manfrotto 488 ball head, which has performed adequately for my needs to date, but mostly for landscape or macro type stuff.
Thanks Lars. I'll see how it does with my current set up before shelling out, but I'll look into better ballheads. Maybe the Acratech GV2 or Kirk BH!?
dcains - is that comment based on experience with this stuff or just gear snobbery. I'm perfectly prepared to accept either. In any case, the induro legs have served me pretty well for three years, so I don't think I'll replace them right now unless they seem unstable when I mount the new lens.
Try the Manfrotto below, I love it! You don't mount the lens like it shows in the picture though, both sections form a U,with the lens in the inner U, not one over the top of the lens with lens hanging from it. The only thing I don't like is that you can't lock down the entire head for rotation purposes, it free rotates. But the lens arms lock down or free float as you like.
GC5 wrote:
Thanks Lars. I'll see how it does with my current set up before shelling out, but I'll look into better ballheads. Maybe the Acratech GV2 or Kirk BH!?
dcains - is that comment based on experience with this stuff or just gear snobbery. I'm perfectly prepared to accept either. In any case, the induro legs have served me pretty well for three years, so I don't think I'll replace them right now unless they seem unstable when I mount the new lens.
My comment is absolutely based on experience. The tripod and ballhead will surely support your gear, but with a 400mm lens, even the slightest movements will ruin the clarity of an image (BTW, keep the 100-400 IS system turned off for tripod use).
I've got a Gitzo 1-series with a Markins Q3 head, and have found the largest lens I can typically use is my 70-200/4 (with a tripod collar for better balance). I no longer have a 100-400, but even on my 2-series Gitzo with an RRS BH-40, it was not completely stable unless conditions were ideal. Add to that you're asking about stacking a gimbal on a lower-end ballhead on a lightweight tripod, and your instabilities will be multiplied by each attachment point and the added height.
Typically, you'd want a gimbal for tracking moving objects with a heavy lens, but since you mentioned landscapes/macro, I'd go with Lars' suggestion and get a much better ballhead first. The Marking Q3 would work nicely, although you may later find the need for a better tripod. The Photoclam PC-40 is also an option, as are the Acratech and Kirk you mentioned.
Gimbals offer an automatic safety factor in that if you let go of the camera, it stays right there. Do the same with a ball head and it wil probably land on the ground.
dcains wrote:
Typically, you'd want a gimbal for tracking moving objects with a heavy lens, but since you mentioned landscapes/macro, I'd go with Lars' suggestion and get a much better ballhead first. The Marking Q3 would work nicely, although you may later find the need for a better tripod. The Photoclam PC-40 is also an option, as are the Acratech and Kirk you mentioned.
Thanks. I was actually looking at a gimbal for precisely that purpose. My current setup is servicable for the other stuff I do.
I'm always happy to reduce the amount of gear I tote though, so a better ballhead may be the peferred solution anyway.
I use a Markins Q 10 along with an Induro sidekick type Gimbal to support my Canon 1D and 500f/4. To me, the Markins ballhead is key. The panning action is smooth and the ball locks down solid. The best thing about this set-up is giving the Markins double duty. If I need to just mount my camera for some simple landscapes, the Markins can't be beat. When I need a smooth rotating action with my 500, which requires solid smooth action for eagles in flight, the combination is flawless.
GC5 wrote:
I was thinking of picking up a gimbal head for my new 100-400. I'm basically just experimenting so don't want to spring for one of the Wimberly or equivalent models. I see that there is an inexpensive (~100) knock-off being sold on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/190590675813...84.m1423.l2649
Danger-Danger Will Robinson - hope you have insurance on your new lens!
In any case, the induro legs have served me pretty well for three years, so I don't think I'll replace them right now unless they seem unstable when I mount the new lens. 
